Federal court blocks Alabama plan for new congressional districts that could help Republicans

Federal judges have temporarily halted Alabama’s proposed new congressional map, which critics argued was designed to bolster Republican chances in a crucial U.S. House race during the upcoming midterm elections.

Tuesday’s letter is the latest effort by the Congressional Black Caucus and its allies to gather support for preventing more Republican-led states from redrawing their legislative maps in ways that would dilute Black political representation.

A three-judge panel issued a preliminary injunction Tuesday, but the state could look to challenge their decision at the U.S. Supreme Court, which has already weighed in on other cases, including in Texas.

The judges ruled the Supreme Court’s recent blockbuster decision narrowing the Voting Rights Act does not impact their finding that the map intentionally discriminates against Black voters in violation of the Constitution.