The Alabama Republican Party is calling on the U.S. Supreme Court to grant a stay in the federal court order requiring qualifying to remain open for all seven of Alabama’s U.S. House seats while the state’s congressional district map is redrawn.
The party filed a “friend of the court” motion Monday with the Supreme Court supporting the arguments in Attorney General Steve Marshall’s emergency petition.
The ALGOP contends the federal court erred by testing the new districts using racial benchmarks instead of traditional districting principles. Additionally, the party suggests the order is unduly disruptive to the election process.
“The federal court has created uncertainty at this late hour in the primary election calendar,” ALGOP Chairman John Wahl said. “This election cycle has already started, and it would be unduly burdensome to both the candidates and voters to disrupt the primary at this time. This court ruling also affects the district lines used to organize our ALGOP membership and Steering Committee.
“The ALGOP has a long history of defending civil liberties and minorities, from our days as the party of Lincoln to the Civil Rights Movement. Under my leadership, the Alabama Republican Party will continue the fight for free and fair elections for all the people of Alabama,” he continued.
Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has requested the Plaintiffs in the case – who support new district lines – file their response with the Court by noon on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2022.
