Special Session Day 4 In a Holding Pattern

The Alabama Legislature is in the fourth day of a five-day special session called by Gov. Ivey to address congressional and state Senate redistricting. So far, all the work done in the session is just a contingency, in case the Atlanta 11th District Court of Appeals approves Alabama's emergency request to redraw boundary lines.

The session was triggered by the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which Republican leaders argue justifies reverting to previous district maps that had been struck down for diluting Black voting power.

The House passed House Bill 1 yesterday with a 75-29 vote. It authorizes a new special primary election for congressional districts this summer (proposed for August 26) if the state's 2023 map is reinstated.

In the upper chamber Senate Bill 1 was approved on a 26-7 vote.  It allows for special primaries in state Senate Districts 25 and 26 (Montgomery area) should federal court-drawn maps be vacated.

Both bills were roundly opposed by Democrats in both of the Republican "super majority" chambers. They claim that redistricting now, 13 days before midterm party primaries and more than six months ahead of November General Elections violates state constitutional amendment 4, approved by voters in 2022. The statewide amendment bars election-related legislation from taking effect within six months of a general election.

Pleasant Grove Sen. Merika Coleman pointed out that many voters have already cast absentee ballots. “These folks are going to be disenfranchised if this bill passes and the Supreme Court allows this to move forward,” Coleman told fellow lawmakers during floor debate.

Amendments offered by Coleman, Sen. Vivian Figures and Sen. Kirk Hatcher all failed.

Former federal judge U.W. Clemon filed a contempt of court proceeding against Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, claiming he has reneged on a promise to not challenge the federally drawn map before 2030.

Tuscaloosa Rep. Chris England agrees with Clemon “Essentially Alabama’s on four years of probation, and instead of honoring that four years of probation, we’re in this session trying to go on a bender,” he said. “And there will be consequences to that, because to my estimation and many others, we are in contempt because we said we weren’t going to do anything like this.”

House Pro-Tem Chris Pringle (R-Mobile), the bill’s sponsor, defended the legislation when questioned about the bill. “This is pending before the court and I don’t want to answer that question because the court’s going to determine that,” he said during the committee. “I clearly said if the court changes and lifts the injunction against us, this provides the venue for a special election.”

Marengo/Pickens/Sumter Counties Rep. A.J. MaCampbell summed up the opposition, "There comes a time in life when you have to stand up and say, ‘this is wrong’,” he said before the House Ways and Means General Fund committee passed the bill. “There’s no need in us going through this and pretending like all is well. All is not well.”