Alabama lawmakers approve legislation directing Gov. Kay Ivey to schedule new U.S. House primary elections for certain seats if courts allow the state to use congressional district lines different from the current map for this year’s midterm elections. The measure is designed to take effect only if legal challenges are resolved in a way that permits Alabama to apply alternative district boundaries that Republicans have advanced.
Several outlets report the vote follows a key court development elsewhere that reshapes the redistricting landscape and affects Democrats’ prospects. CBS News and The Washington Times say Alabama lawmakers pass a plan for new primaries conditional on court approval of different congressional districts. The Hill adds that the legislation would be contingent on courts lifting an earlier injunction keeping the current map in place through the 2030 Census.
The Guardian places Alabama’s move alongside broader redistricting activity in other states. The New York Times adds that, after the U.S. Supreme Court clears a path for Alabama to use a 2023 congressional map with one majority-Black district, Gov. Ivey schedules special primaries in August for four House seats.
