Amid a contentious special session and severe weather that forced an evacuation, the Alabama Legislature passed legislation that could set new primary election dates pending a potential Supreme Court decision. After several hours of debate, both legislative chambers approved HB-1 and SB-1.
The legislation would create a special primary election using a congressional map previously struck down by a three-judge federal panel. The special primary election would only take place if an injunction requiring Alabama to use a court-drawn map through 2030 is lifted. Attorney General Steve Marshall is currently seeking the Supreme Court to lift a preliminary injunction that prevents Alabama from using a congressional map approved by the legislature in 2023. The legislation will only take effect if federal courts rule in favor of Marshall’s efforts to reverse court-ordered redistricting maps found to violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and discriminate against Black voters.
Representative Adline Clark criticized the bill, stating: “We may very well lose not one, but both of those seats, because we have Republicans here saying that all seven of those seats ought to be filled by Republicans.” She added that the 2023 map targets predominantly Black voting districts and will dilute Black voting power.
The legislation drew sharp criticism from Democrats, who said it aims to reduce Black political representation. “This body continues to find more ways to make voting more difficult, more ways to suppress the vote and more ways to dilute the power of the Black vote,” Clark explained. “Make no mistake, that’s what HB 1 would do, and it’s a tragic step backwards for Black Alabama voters.”
Senator Merika Coleman described the chaotic conditions during passage: “We’re in inclement weather. This building is flooded. We’ve had several medical emergencies, including one of my constituents and a senator,” she said. SB-1 allows for special primary elections for state Senate seats in potentially impacted districts if the Supreme Court rules in Alabama’s favor.
