Supreme Court Strikes Down Alabama's Congressional Map Mandate for Two Majority-Black Districts

The U.S. Supreme Court has lifted a mandate requiring Alabama to use a congressional map with two majority-Black districts. This decision allows Alabama to use a 2023 map with only one such district. The ruling intensifies debate around racial gerrymandering and its impact on voting rights.

Tue May 12 2026

Alabama Redistricting and Widespread Controversy

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday lifted a mandate in Alabama that required the state to use a congressional map with two majority-Black districts. This ruling means Alabama can now use a 2023 drawn map that only has one majority-Black district. The decision follows a previous ruling by the Supreme Court that struck down Louisiana's map, stating it relied too heavily on race. Two Democratic representatives from Louisiana have condemned the Supreme Court's decision, calling it a direct blow to the Voting Rights Act and an infringement on basic freedoms.

Criticisms of Racial Gerrymandering and Historical Context

Jason Riley, a columnist for The Wall Street Journal and senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, criticized racial gerrymandering as an outdated concept. He argued that the assumption that Black voters are essentially fungible and share identical political preferences is not only false but insulting. Riley pointed to the election and re-election of former President Barack Obama in a majority-white country nearly two decades ago, noting that white voters, including those in Southern states like Texas, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Virginia, voted for a Black candidate. He also cited instances of Black mayors and governors being elected in majority-white cities and states, suggesting that the notion that only Black officials can represent Black constituencies is obsolete.

Jason Riley further expressed his opposition to political gerrymandering in general, stating it is unseemly because it allows lawmakers to choose voters rather than the other way around, which is detrimental to the democratic system. He added that gerrymandering exacerbates political divisions and creates safe seats for incumbents, making the primary election the only one that truly matters. However, while the Supreme Court has ruled against racial gerrymandering, it has deemed political gerrymandering constitutional.

*Source: YouTube: CBS News (2026-05-12)*

Tags: #Redistricting #Supreme Court #Alabama #Louisiana #Racial Gerrymandering