MONTGOMERY – In response to a recent federal court ruling striking down Alabama’s 2021 State Senate map, Governor Kay Ivey has announced she will not call a special legislative session at this time to draw a new map.
The decision comes as states, including Alabama, face legal uncertainty over how to comply with both Voting Rights Act (VRA) requirements and the U.S. Constitution’s provisions against racial discrimination.
“As the law currently stands, states like Alabama are put to the virtually impossible task of protecting some voters based on race without discriminating against any other voters based on race,” Governor Ivey said in a statement. “I remain hopeful that we will somehow find the ‘magic map’ that will both satisfy the federal court and also be fair to all Alabamians. But as of today, I cannot justify the time and expense of calling a special session. In the meantime, I call on the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify the law in this area as soon as possible and relieve states like Alabama from this no-win situation.”
The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear oral arguments this fall in Louisiana v. Callais, a case that will examine the apparent conflict between VRA caselaw and the Constitution’s equal protection clause.
Governor Ivey has not ruled out future action. If a workable map that meets both federal and constitutional standards is identified, she indicated she may revisit her decision and provide an update to the public.
