Ivey sets date for special Alabama congressional elections after SCOTUS ruling
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WSFA) - Gov. Kay Ivey set dates for special congressional primaries after the U.S. Supreme Court paused a lower-court order that had required Alabama to use a court-drawn map featuring two largely Black districts.
The decision clears the way for the state to use the Alabama Legislature’s map from 2023, that included six safe Republican districts. Courts had previously blocked the map, ruling that it was unconstitutional under the Voting Rights Act.
Ivey called a special session of the Legislature last week to pass bills that would immediately allow for the use of the map should the Supreme Court overturn the order. That happened Monday.
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Alabama leaders react to Supreme Court’s halt on redistricting ruling
State lawmakers, political candidates and local leaders are speaking up after the Supreme Court on Monday halted its previous order requiring Alabama to use its current court-imposed congressional map through 2030.
Ivey on Tuesday called special primaries in four of the state’s seven congressional districts: the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th. The special primary is scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 11, with no runoff, her office said. Winners will advance to the Nov. 3 general election, according to Ivey’s order.
Major-party qualifying opens May 20 and closes May 22. Candidates from minor parties and independent candidates have until Aug. 11 to qualify.
“As I said at the close of our special session last week, Alabama now stands ready to quickly act,” Ivey said, thanking House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter and Senate President Pro Tem Garlan Gudger. She called the Supreme Court’s ruling “plain common sense,” adding that it “enables our values to be best represented in Congress.”
Two of Alabama’s congressional districts, the 2nd and 7th, are currently represented by Black Democrats. The remaining districts are represented by White Republicans.
With the previous map back in play, Republicans will look to flip at least one of the two Democratic-held seats.
During a presser Tuesday afternoon, Secretary of State Wes Allen said Alabama’s primary election, set for Tuesday, May 19, will continue for all other races.
“The May 19th primary election will go forward as planned and I want Alabama voters to be prepared to vote on Tuesday, May 19th,” he said.
Randy Kelly, Chairman of the Alabama Democratic Party, also expressed strong encouragement for Alabamians to get out and vote.
“I want the voters to know that their welfare is at stake,” he said. “Alabama is one of the poorest states in the nation and we can ill-afford to vote for the status quo.”
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