Reactions divide along party lines after SCOTUS rules for Alabama district map

by Justin Walker

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA Action 8)- Reactions are pouring after the Supreme Court ruled overnight that Alabama can use a 2023 congressional map in this year’s elections.

The SCOTUS ruling blocked a lower federal court injunction from last week, which had asserted that the state’s 2023 redistricting plan intentionally discriminated against Black voters. By granting the state’s emergency appeal, the justices have cleared the way for Alabama to proceed under a 2023 congressional map that features a majority-Black population in just one of its seven congressional districts. 

The map put into place by Tuesday’s order gives the GOP an opportunity to reclaim the south Alabama seat currently held by Democratic Congressman Shomari Figures.

State and local leaders are reacting to the decision.

Alabama Congressman Shomari Figures (District 2) 

“The Supreme Court’s conservative majority is allowing the State of Alabama to use a congressional map that three Republican-appointed judges have repeatedly found was the product of intentional racial discrimination. And just three years ago, this same Supreme Court agreed that Alabama had discriminated against Black voters in drawing its maps. But, given the Supreme Court’s recent highly politicized and unprecedented actions, we are certainly not surprised by this decision. 

“The Supreme Court has now confirmed that there is no longer a Voting Rights Act in America, and states are essentially free to discriminate against minority voters with no consequences. This is a dangerous ruling that sets the State and this nation back decades.

“Too many people fought and sacrificed for me to have the opportunity to serve in Congress for me to just walk away. I will stay in this fight to build a better future for Alabama and a better country. I will not be deterred by this coordinated effort to stack the deck for Republicans to retain power in November — and I know voters won’t be deterred either. We have to remind America and Alabama what the power of organizing, mobilizing, and voting looks like. And we will do just that.”

Governor Kay Ivey (AL):

The U.S. Supreme Court confirmed what I have said all along and that is that Alabama knows our state, our people and our districts best. Today’s decision is a win for the people of Alabama and our elections. Alabama is doing our part to keep America strong, and I am proud our state continues to fight the fight to ensure activists do not get the final say. I will see y’all at the polls August 11!”

Steve Marshall, Alabama Attorney General

“Tonight’s decision is a major victory for Alabama and for the principle of self-governance. The United States Supreme Court confirmed what we always knew: that Alabama’s Congressional maps are constitutional and lawful under the Voting Rights Act. The Court’s decision to stay the district court’s injunction affirms that Alabama’s elected representatives, not federal judges, have the primary authority to draw the maps under which Alabamians choose their own leaders.

The Supreme Court rightly recognized that its recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais fundamentally changes the legal landscape. The district court’s brazen refusal to apply that controlling precedent left the Court with no choice but to intervene and put a stop to the district court’s attempts to override the will of the people. The Court also acknowledged that a state enjoined from enforcing the laws passed by its own legislature suffers real harm.

For too long, Alabama has been denied the full measure of its sovereignty by judges who insist on treating our state as though it never moved beyond the 1960s. No more. We have the same right as any other state to draw our own congressional maps according to our own legitimate districting objectives, without being held to a different and more burdensome standard by federal courts. 

The High Court agreed that Alabamians should elect their representatives under the map chosen through their democratic process. And we will not allow unelected judges to repeatedly redraw our State’s electoral maps in defiance of the Supreme Court’s own standards. We look forward to full vindication on appeal and will continue to defend Alabama’s right to conduct its own elections.”

Garlan Gudger, Senate President Pro Tem:

“The ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court is a victory for plain old, everyday Alabama common sense that was used when the Legislature set aside race and used communities of interest and other factors to craft congressional maps.

This case has cost Alabama taxpayers more than $8 million, which includes $5.25 million awarded to the plaintiff’s attorneys, $3 million to a separate pool of plaintiff legal fees, and more than $515,000 paid to the court-appointed special master team, and with this ruling in our favor, the state should seek any opportunity to claw back every penny that was paid.

We argued from day one that our congressional maps were both constitutional and fair to all Alabamians, and the highest court in our nation has offered irrefutable evidence of those facts.”

Alabama House Democratic Caucus:

“This ruling is a disgraceful insult to all of the many footsoldiers of the Civil Rights movement who fought, bled, and died for voting rights and fair Black representation. It’s unconscionable and this rushed and reckless order defies the Court’s own logic and precedent. We will continue to fight against all forms of voter suppression, including intentionally discriminatory maps. Right now, it’s imperative that Black voters show up to the polls in record numbers. This is plain evidence as to why your vote matters. The path forward is to restore, and then strengthen, the protections of the Voting Rights Act. Until that happens, we will not rest and we’ll continue to fight for our rights. ’