Supreme Court Surprises with 5-4 Decision to Strike Down Alabama’s Congressional Map, Preserving Key Section of Voting Rights Act

The Supreme Court made a surprising 5-4 decision Thursday to strike down Alabama’s congressional map, ruling that the state had diluted the power of Black voters by not drawing two majority-Black districts. This decision was unexpected given that a majority of justices had previously let the map stand and be used for the 2022 midterms.

The ruling preserves a key section of the Voting Rights Act and will require the state’s Republican-controlled Legislature to redraw Alabama’s seven congressional districts so they include two majority-Black and heavily Democratic seats in the state’s so-called Black Belt. This region is named for its dark, fertile soil that was farmed for generations by African Americans.

The decision has already had an impact on prognosticators, with the Cook Political Report immediately shifting five seats in Democrats’ direction. This could be a sign of what is to come for pending cases that will decide maps for 2024.

The Supreme Court’s decision is a major victory for voting rights advocates and a reminder of the importance of the Voting Rights Act. It is also a reminder of the Court’s ability to surprise, even when it has previously shown hostility towards voting rights.