Jefferson County Redistricting Overturned by Federal Court

In a significant ruling on Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Madeline Haikara invalidated the Jefferson County board’s redistricting map, citing violations of an amendment to Jefferson County’s Section 14. This ruling prohibits the use of the current map in upcoming elections.

The court noted that the board had insufficiently demonstrated the need for a five-district revision following the 2020 census, ultimately concluding that the 2021 plan infringed on the 14th amendment.

Judge Haikara’s opinion highlights the racial demographics outlined in the 2021 plan, particularly the concentration of Black voters: District 1 at 75%, District 2 at 63%, while Districts 3, 4, and 5 show much lower percentages at 26%, 26%, and 13%, respectively.

While the order prevents the county from relying on these maps going forward, it seems poised for potential appeals on various grounds.

This decision coincides with the forthcoming reexamination by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Louisiana v. Kaleisi, which questions the legality of intentionally creating a second majority Congressional district and its adherence to the 14th and 15th amendments.

The Supreme Court’s recent focus includes whether race should be considered in the drawing of electoral maps and the constitutionality of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which underpinned the 2023 decision in Allen v. Milligan, calling for modifications to Alabama’s state-drawn map.

In Alabama, the redistricting debate continues, especially after a federal judge halted 2026 plans and instructed lawmakers to construct a new majority Black district in the Montgomery area.

As developments unfold, the Supreme Court is expected to impact Alabama’s legislative landscape on October 15 by addressing Louisiana’s rezoning challenges.

Judge Madeline Haikara, who issued this ruling on Jefferson County, was appointed to the federal bench back in 2013 by President Barack Obama.