Alabama faces a crucial court hearing related to its congressional voting map this week, despite its recent loss in a case that discussed potential Voting Rights Act violations, at the Supreme Court.

The legal fight: Previously, a three-judge panel upheld a ruling that found Alabama’s congressional map likely violated Black voters’ rights under the Voting Rights Act.
* The suggested solution was a new map with two districts where Black voters could realistically elect their preferred candidate.
* The state’s Republican-controlled legislature passed a new redistricting plan with only one majority-Black district, prompting further criticism.

The lingering controversy: Alabama is expected not to challenge specific points during this week’s court hearing, raising questions about its intention to follow federal court orders.
* The new congressional map could impact the outcome of future elections involving majority-Black districts likely to elect Democratic representatives.

High stakes appeal: Alabama has suggested that it may appeal to the Supreme Court once more if the panel does not approve a map with only one majority-Black voting district for the 2024 elections.
* Legal experts believe Alabama is hoping to flip the vote of at least one Supreme Court Justice in its favor.

The expert take: Observers speculate that Alabama is using this case to challenge the constitutionality of race-based redistricting.
* However, critics argue that the state’s strategy merely perpetuates a historical trend of resisting federal orders on the voting rights of people of color.

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