Photo: Alamy
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey has called a special primary election for August after a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision created a path for the state to potentially use a previously blocked Republican-drawn congressional map in 2026.
“I have called a Special Primary Election for the 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th congressional districts. Alabama knows our state, our people and our districts best. SCOTUS’ decision is plain common sense and enables our values to be best represented in congress,” Ivey posted to X.
“State lawmakers met in a special session in Montgomery last week and approved shifting the state’s primary schedule as they awaited the court’s decision on whether Alabama could revert to an earlier map ahead of the midterm elections,” she added.
The legal battle stems from a 2023 ruling in which the Supreme Court found Alabama’s post-2020 census map likely violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by diluting minority voting strength. Lawmakers were ordered to create a second majority-Black congressional district.
However, state officials argued that a more recent Supreme Court decision narrowing the scope of the Voting Rights Act altered the legal landscape. The high court on Monday vacated a lower court ruling and directed further review of Alabama’s map in light of that decision.
The court’s three liberal justices dissented. Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, warned the move could create confusion as voting was already underway.
Ivey scheduled the special primary for Aug. 11 in four congressional districts, including the 2nd and 7th, which are currently held by Democrats.
“Alabamians now have another opportunity to send strong voices to Washington to fight for our values. I encourage them to get out and vote in this special primary on August 11,” Ivey said, while also urging voters to participate in previously scheduled primaries.
Officials said ballots already cast in the affected districts for the earlier primary will be voided once the August election is held.
