Alabama Speaker of the House Nathaniel Ledbetter expressed outrage Tuesday after a three-judge panel issued an injunction against Alabama from using it’s 6-1 Republican leaning congressional map.

In its ruling, the panel wrote, “Ultimately, we cannot see our way clear to requiring Alabamians to cast their votes in the 2026 elections under a districting plan tainted by intentional race-based discrimination,” reaffirming the court’s longstanding opposition to the map advanced by state lawmakers after the Callais decision.

Ledbetter said the U.S. Supreme Court will have to look at this case soon.

“Three activist judges are trying to silence the voices of over 5 million Alabamians,” Ledbetter said. “We look forward to seeing what SCOTUS has to say about that.”

The Speaker said he wasn’t surprised by the ruling because of the history of this specific court.

“Yet again, the three-judge panel has decided to force a racially gerrymandered, court-drawn Congressional Map upon the people of Alabama,” he argued. “As disappointing as this decision is, it is ultimately unsurprising given their long track record of siding with liberal plaintiffs and handing Democrats congressional victories in the courtroom. Elections should be decided by voters at the ballot box, not activist judges who believe they know better than the people they were appointed to serve.”

Governor Kay Ivey called a special legislative session earlier this year, during which lawmakers approved a contingency congressional map intended for use if the Supreme Court sided with the state. Following that session, Alabama scheduled special primary elections for the affected congressional districts on Aug. 11.

“I believe this decision is blatantly in violation of the Supreme Court’s ruling in Callais v. Louisiana and will not stand once it is presented before a higher court,” Ledbetter continued. “This is nothing more than a politically motivated attempt to weaponize the judicial system for partisan gain, and Alabama has every intention of taking this to the Supreme Court and fighting back.”

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall also condemned the panel’s decision and said he plans appeal to the higher court.

“This is a very fluid situation, and I will do my best to keep the People of Alabama apprised of our efforts,” Marshall said in a statement. “Know this — in my mind, it is not a matter of whether we win this case, only when.”

Yaffee is a contributing writer to Yellowhammer News and hosts “The Yaffee Program” weekdays 9-11 a.m. on WVNN. You can follow him on X @Yaffee