MONTGOMERY, AL — Kay Ivey on Friday signed House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1 into law following a special legislative session focused on Alabama’s ongoing redistricting litigation.
The legislation authorizes the governor to call special elections in certain congressional and state senate districts if federal court injunctions blocking Alabama’s previously approved district maps are lifted.
In a statement released Friday, Governor Ivey said the state is now positioned to respond quickly should the courts rule in Alabama’s favor.
“With this special session successfully behind us, Alabama now stands ready to quickly act, should the courts issue favorable rulings in our ongoing redistricting cases,” Ivey said. “I thank the Legislature for answering my call to address the issue in fast order. I am grateful to Speaker Ledbetter and Pro Tem Gudger for their strong leadership and focus this week. Alabama knows our state, our people and our districts best.”
According to the governor’s office, the legislation is intended to prepare Alabama for a possible return to district maps previously approved by the Legislature. Those include the congressional district map passed in 2023 and the state senate district map approved in 2021.
The current district maps remain under court-ordered injunctions as litigation over Alabama’s redistricting process continues in federal court.
State officials said the regularly scheduled May 19, 2026, primary election will proceed as planned regardless of the court’s decision. However, if the injunctions are lifted in time for the current election cycle, the governor would have the authority to call special elections in districts where boundary lines would change under the older maps.
Legislative leaders cited the need for Alabama to be prepared in the event the courts move quickly on the pending cases.
The legal disputes surrounding Alabama’s congressional and legislative maps have centered on voting rights and district representation issues, with multiple court rulings and appeals occurring over the past several years.
