Rep. Shomari Figures (D-AL) said that a GOP-led redistricting push in Alabama is intended to dilute the Black vote [1].
The effort follows a recent Supreme Court decision that weakened the Voting Rights Act, potentially altering the electoral landscape and jeopardizing the seat held by Figures [1, 2].
Figures said the move is an attempt to reduce Black electoral influence. "They are trying to dilute the Black vote," Figures said during an interview on April 30, 2026 [1].
Alabama Republicans are advancing the new congressional map after a Supreme Court ruling delivered on Wednesday, April 24, 2026 [3]. The court reached its decision in a six-three vote [3].
The ruling specifically weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which contains a preclearance provision [4]. This legal shift has provided the opening for GOP lawmakers to pursue new boundaries for the state's congressional districts [3].
Figures linked the redistricting efforts to a broader strategy by the current administration. He said President Trump is "absolutely" trying to rig the midterms to keep Republicans in power [5].
The congressman's own district is among those at risk from the proposed changes [5]. The redistricting process often determines the racial, and political makeup of districts, which can significantly shift the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.
“"They are trying to dilute the Black vote."”
The weakening of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act removes a critical legal barrier against maps that disproportionately impact minority voters. By redistricting in the wake of this six-three Supreme Court ruling, Alabama Republicans can potentially redraw boundaries to split concentrated Black populations across multiple districts, thereby reducing the likelihood of minority-preferred candidates winning election.
