Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey signed legislation on Friday authorizing a new primary election in anticipation of a favorable court ruling in the state's ongoing redistricting litigation.
The May 19 primary will still take place, Ivey said in a statement, but if the injunctions are lifted in Alabama's redistricting case, she may call for a special election for certain state senate and congressional districts where boundary lines would change as a result of a reversion to older district maps.
“With this special session successfully behind us, Alabama now stands ready to quickly act, should the courts issue favorable rulings in our ongoing redistricting cases," Ivey said. "I thank the Legislature for answering my call to address the issue in fast order."
The governor had called for the state legislature to convene for a special session earlier this week to take up the issue of primary elections, following a Supreme Court ruling that found congressional maps drawn with consideration to race are unconstitutional.
If the court-ordered injunctions against Alabama's redistricting are lifted, Ivey said the state will revert back to its congressional districts map from 2023 and its state senate districts from 2021.
"Alabama knows our state, our people and our districts best," Ivey said.
“Alabama’s case mirrors Louisiana’s, and they should end the same way: with this year’s elections run with districts based on lawful policy goals, not race,” court filings read.
Since a lower court is not scheduled for another hearing on Alabama’s redistricting until May 18—one day before primaries—the state is requesting the Supreme Court for a stay by the morning of May 14.
But further redistricting efforts could tip the scales in the GOP’s favor, the election forecaster said.