Governor Kay Ivey announced on Friday afternoon she will not call a special legislative session — at least for now — to redraw Alabama’s 2021 State Senate map after a federal court ruled last month that the Montgomery-area districts violate the Voting Rights Act.

As the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to revisit the intersection of the VRA and equal protection in Louisiana v. Callais, likely in October, Governor Ivey said the current legal uncertainty leaves states like Alabama in a “no-win situation.”

“As the law currently stands, states like Alabama are put to the virtually impossible task of protecting some voters based on race without discriminating against any other voters based on race,” Governor Ivey said.

“I remain hopeful that we will somehow find the ‘magic map’ that will both satisfy the federal court and also be fair to all Alabamians. But as of today, I cannot justify the time and expense of calling a special session. In the meantime, I call on the U.S. Supreme Court to clarify the law in this area as soon as possible and relieve states like Alabama from this no-win situation.” 

The federal ruling at issue, from U.S. District Judge Anna Manasco, ordered Alabama to create a majority- or near-majority-Black Senate district in the Montgomery area and set deadlines to move a remedy forward for the 2026 cycle.

State officials have signaled they intend to appeal and sought a pause while Callais is pending.

According to the Governor’s office, “If a satisfactory map is later identified, Governor Ivey may reconsider her decision and update the public accordingly.”

Grayson Everett is the editor in chief of Yellowhammer. You can follow him on X @Grayson270.