Overview
- The Court issued a late‑night unsigned order that stayed a three‑judge federal panel’s injunction and let Alabama use the legislature‑drawn 2023 congressional map for 2026 elections.
- The majority applied the April 29 Louisiana v. Callais framework to the dispute, faulting the lower court for not presuming legislative good faith and directing it to reconsider in light of Callais.
- The three‑judge panel had held after an extensive 11‑day trial that the 2023 map intentionally diluted Black voting power by reducing Black opportunity districts from two to one.
- Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Kagan and Jackson, dissented on grounds that the order disregards the rule of law and risks chaotic, compressed election logistics.
- Civil‑rights groups vow more litigation and public‑pressure tactics, analysts warn the ruling could flip at least one House seat for Republicans in 2026, and election officials must now move quickly to implement new primaries.