The State of Alabama will appeal a ruling by a federal judge on Friday that ordered lawmakers to redraw Alabama’s State Senate map.
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco ordered Alabama lawmakers on Friday to redraw a new State Senate redistricting map for the upcoming 2026 election.
The order could result in Gov. Kay Ivey having to call a special session in the next couple of months to redraw State Senate district lines before the upcoming election. Republicans currently comprise 27 of the 35 seats in the State Senate.
Plaintiffs' challenges focused on State Senate Districts 25 and 26 held by State Sens. Will Barfoot (R-Pike Road) and Kirk Hatcher (D-Montgomery), respectively. They also unsuccessfully claimed Huntsville area State Senate districts held by State Sens. Tom Butler (R-Madison), Sam Givhan (R-Huntsville) and Steve Livingston (R-Scottsboro) "unnecessarily cracks Black voters."
Attorneys for plaintiffs and the State of Alabama filed a joint status report on Wednesday outlining how each side would like to proceed in the case. The attorneys mentioned late September or early October as dates for a possible special session to draw a new State Senate map.
“Secretary Allen does not know at this time if the Alabama Legislature will avail itself of the opportunity to draw a remedial map. Counsel have communicated with Legislative leadership and with the Governor’s office and understand that Legislators are actively discussing the matter and considering their options. Pending the determination of any motion to stay that may be filed with the Court, Legislative leadership is expected to inform counsel for the Secretary and the Governor’s office of their desires as soon as possible. Secretary Allen will inform the Court and Plaintiffs’ counsel when he knows the Legislature’s decision,” Deputy Alabama Attorney General James Davis said on Wednesday in the filing.
“If the Legislature decides to enact a new Senate map, there will need to be sufficient time for the Court to review it, with the parties’ input. Secretary Allen expects that the Legislature would take any action in either late September or early October, so that there is a map for this Court’s review by October 10. Given the logistics involved in calling a special session, and certain timing demands and waiting periods required by the legislative process, it is not known at this time if the Plaintiffs’ proposed deadline of September 22, 2025, would provide a realistic opportunity for the Legislature to act if it chooses to do so. The Secretary objects to incurring expense for a special master before it is evident that a special master is necessary. Secretary Allen intends to appeal this Court’s judgment. Secretary Allen also will ask this Court to stay its judgment as other redistricting courts have done while we all await the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais, scheduled for argument on October 15, 2025. The Secretary expects to be able to file his motion to stay with this Court this week.”
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