MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WDNews) – Governor Kay Ivey announced she will not call a special session to redraw Alabama’s 2021 State Senate map following a federal court ruling against it, citing legal uncertainty over how states should comply with federal voting laws and constitutional protections.
“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 in a statement. “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.”
The governor called on the U.S. Supreme Court to provide clarity, as justices are scheduled to hear Louisiana v. Callais this fall, a case addressing conflicts between Voting Rights Act caselaw and the Constitution’s equal protection provisions.
Ivey added that she may reconsider her decision if a satisfactory map is later identified.
