In the wake of a federal court ruling against Alabama's 2021 State Senate map, Governor Kay Ivey has decided not to call a special session to draw a new map.
Ivey declined to call a special session at this time due to "the uncertainty states face over how to comply with both Voting Rights Act case law and the US Constitution's provisions against racial discrimination," according to an Ivey spokesperson.
"As the law currently stands, states like Alabama are put to the virtually impossible task of protecting some voters based on race without discriminating against any other voters based on race," Ivey said. "I remain hopeful that we will somehow find the 'magic map' that will both satisfy the federal court and also be fair to all Alabamians. But as of today, I cannot justify the time and expense of calling a special session. In the meantime, I call on the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify the law in this area as soon as possible and relieve states like Alabama from this no-win situation."
U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco has indicated she'll have a court-ordered special master draw a new map if a special session isn't called.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments this fall in Louisiana v. Callais, a case considering the apparent conflict between Voting Rights Act case law and the U.S. Constitution's equal protection provisions.
If a satisfactory map is later identified, Governor Ivey may reconsider her decision and update the public accordingly, a spokesperson said.
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