MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Hours after Alabama asked the U.S. Supreme Court to allow the state to use a GOP-friendly congressional map struck down by a federal court, Gov. Kay Ivey pushed back a deadline related to the administration of the Aug. 11 special primary election.
When Ivey announced the special election earlier this month, she set May 29 as the deadline for Secretary of State Wes Allen to certify with probate judges the list of opposed candidates on the ballot.
Ivey has now changed that deadline to June 3 – next Wednesday – in light of the ongoing legal fight over Alabama’s congressional maps. The change puts pressure on an already tight turnaround to facilitate an election.
The deadline was moved “to further ensure the state remains in the best position should it receive a favorable ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court,” a press release from Ivey’s office said.
The release called the federal three-judge panel’s Tuesday decision prohibiting the use of the map “shameful.” The state has appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, asking that the case be resolved by June 1.
Justice Clarence Thomas responded to the appeal and requested that the plaintiffs respond by Monday at 4 p.m., six hours later than the deadline the state requested.
Unless the Supreme Court vacates the injunction, the state cannot use the 2023 map. That map eliminates a majority-minority district and would likely lead to Republicans gaining another seat in the House.
The special election was seemingly called based on the assumption that Alabama will be permitted to use the map, with some candidates switching races to account for the 2023 district lines. It’s not clear what happens next if the Supreme Court upholds the lower court’s decision.
Ivey said Alabama is committed to the redistricting fight and that she fully supports the appeal.
“I am hopeful the Supreme Court quickly gives Alabama a favorable response so we can move forward with the August 11 Special Primary Election using our 2023 congressional map,” Ivey said. “We remain in close contact with the Secretary of State’s Office and the Attorney General’s Office as the appeal process plays out and as our elections approach us.”
The window for candidates to qualify with their parties ended on Friday. The Aug. 11 special primary will only take place in Alabama’s 1st, 2nd, 6th and 7th congressional districts.