Alabama, Tennessee Governors Call Redistricting Sessions

Republican governors in Alabama and Tennessee called lawmakers into special legislative sessions this week to redraw congressional districts, responding to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that limited a key provision of the Voting Rights Act.

In Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey summoned legislators to Montgomery starting Monday to approve contingency plans for special primary elections. The state hopes the Supreme Court will permit a switch to a map drawn by lawmakers before the November midterms. The current seven-member congressional delegation includes two Democrats. Republican leaders described the effort as providing Alabama a chance to elect seven Republicans to Congress. Federal judges had previously ordered the state to use a court-selected map featuring a second district with a substantial number of Black voters, to remain in effect until after the 2030 census. Alabama is appealing that order, citing the new Supreme Court decision. "Alabama knows our state, our people and our districts best," Ivey said.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee announced a special session beginning Tuesday for the GOP-controlled legislature to reconfigure the state's Ninth Congressional District, currently the...