A three-judge federal panel in Alabama unanimously ruled Tuesday that state Republicans are blocked from using their 2023 congressional map, which had been designed to potentially aid the party in the upcoming November elections. The court concluded that the map represents a constitutional violation and cannot be used for the 2026 elections.

Alabama had sought to implement the 2023 map after state lawmakers and the governor argued that a recent Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais cleared the way for its use. However, the federal judges, including two appointed by former President Donald Trump, determined that the Supreme Court's ruling on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act had no bearing on this specific case.

In their written ruling, the judges stated, "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." This decision upholds previous lower court findings that the 2023 map was unconstitutional.

Last year, Alabama was mandated to use a map featuring two majority-Black congressional districts, one of which is represented by Democratic Rep. Shomari Figures. Following the Supreme Court's decision, the state delayed some House elections, though others proceeded as scheduled on May 19. As it stands, Alabama must proceed with the 2024 map unless lawmakers choose to enact a new plan at this late stage, a move the court acknowledged is still possible.

Representative Shomari Figures expressed his satisfaction with the court's decision but anticipates further legal challenges. "I am pleased with the Court's decision, but this case is still not over," Figures stated. "Although we expected the Court to reach this decision given the overwhelming evidence, we fully expect the State to immediately appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. This is a significant step in the right direction, but there is still a long way to go before this fight is settled."

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall voiced his disappointment and confirmed plans to appeal. "I am disappointed, but not at all surprised, that the three-judge panel has again struck down Alabama’s blandly unobjectionable congressional map that has been in place for decades," Marshall said in a statement. "I find nothing in the U.S. Supreme Court’s vacatur order of May 11 that would provide a basis for this outcome; thus, we will immediately appeal this decision to the Supreme Court."

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

The 2023 map was widely seen as an attempt to bolster Republican representation by potentially flipping Figures' seat, which is now considered a competitive district.