May 19, 2026 · election
Alabama runs split congressional primary after Callais upends Voting Rights Act maps
On May 19, 2026, Alabama ran a split primary under maps revived after the Supreme Court's April 29 Callais decision and the Court's May 11 order letting the state use its 2023 map. Gov. Kay Ivey and Secretary of State Wes Allen counted binding results only in the 3rd, 4th, and 5th congressional districts, while voters in the 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 7th had to come back on August 11 because their primary results were voided. The arrangement turned a redistricting fight into an immediate test of how quickly state officials could shrink Black voting power and force a costly redo of a federal election (Supreme Court opinion; Alabama Reflector; OPB/NPR; WBHM; WBRC).
May 12, 2026 · election
Kay Ivey sets August special primaries for four Alabama House districts
On May 12, 2026, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey set August 11 special primary elections for the 1st, 2nd, 6th, and 7th congressional districts after the Supreme Court let Alabama use its 2023 map for the 2026 cycle. Secretary of State Wes Allen prepared a compressed calendar that voided May 19 congressional-primary results in those four districts and opened a short qualifying window. The decision forced voters in redrawn districts to return for another federal primary and moved the cost of Alabama's map fight onto voters, candidates, and taxpayers (Alabama governor release; Alabama SOS calendar; AP; Alabama Reflector; Roll Call).
Sep 27, 2024 · executive
DOJ files NVRA voter roll complaints against Alabama and Virginia
In September 2024, the DOJ files NVRA complaints against both Alabama and Virginia, alleging each state retained ineligible voters on its rolls without following legally required confirmation processes under Section 8(c)(2). The Alabama complaint is filed in the weeks before the 2024 presidential election. The Virginia action follows similar allegations. Both actions reflect the DOJ Voting Section's interpretation that states must conduct proactive but non-arbitrary voter roll maintenance consistent with NVRA safeguards.
