Federal judges have blocked Alabama from using newly drawn congressional districts in upcoming elections, ruling that plaintiffs are 'substantially likely' to prevail on claims that the current districts violate the Voting Rights Act.
“Black voters have less opportunity than other Alabamians to elect candidates of their choice to Congress,” the three-judge panel wrote in the 225-page ruling that found plaintiffs are “substantially likely” to prevail on claims that the current districts violate the Voting Rights Act.
The judges blocked use of the map and stayed the candidate qualification deadline with political parties from Friday until Feb. 11 to allow the Legislature the opportunity to enact a remedial plan. The Alabama attorney general’s office did not immediately respond to an email late Monday seeking comment on the ruling.