1. United States
2. Ala.
3. Letter

Alabama lawmakers need to stand down on HB1 and honor the commitment state officials made to the federal three-judge panel in August 2025 — that they would not challenge the court-approved congressional map until after the 2030 census. That promise was made in a federal court. Breaking it isn't just bad politics; it's contempt of the judicial process, and Judge Clemon's motion makes exactly that case. The current map exists because Alabama's previous maps were found to violate the Voting Rights Act. District 7 remains the only majority-Black congressional district in a state where Black Alabamians make up a significant share of the population, and District 2 is already just 48.7% Black. HB1 is a direct attempt to roll back those hard-won protections before the ink is dry. Attorney General Marshall's claim that Louisiana v. Callais opens the door to revisit Alabama's injunction doesn't hold up — the Supreme Court's own decision explicitly states it does not disturb anything in the Alabama case. This is not a close call. Support Judge Clemon's effort to hold Secretary of State Wes Allen accountable, oppose any further legislative maneuvering around HB1, and make clear that Alabama will respect its federal court obligations.