Residents of eastern Jefferson County, Alabama, will experience changes in their congressional districts due to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The decision allows Alabama to implement a congressional map drawn by the state legislature, which favors Republican interests. This map had previously been blocked by a lower court for alleged racial discrimination.
Barry Stephenson, chairman of the county’s Board of Registrars, confirmed that the changes will primarily affect voters in areas stretching from Irondale to eastern Jefferson County, shifting them from U.S. House District 7 to District 6. However, central and western Jefferson County will remain unaffected by these changes.
The Supreme Court’s ruling overturned a court-drawn map used in the 2024 elections, which had resulted in the election of a second Black representative from Alabama for the first time. The most significant alterations occur in southern Alabama, where the boundaries of Districts 1 and 2 have been substantially redrawn. Districts 6 and 7 were also adjusted in an attempt to create a second minority-leaning district.
In District 7, Republicans will have the opportunity to challenge the long-serving Democratic incumbent, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Birmingham. Two Republican candidates, Ammie Akin and David W. Perry, have filed to run for the nomination in this predominantly Democratic district. Meanwhile, in the Republican primary for House District 6, incumbent U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer, R-Hoover, will once again face Case Dixon, having previously secured over 80% of the vote in the initial primary.
Four Democratic candidates have qualified to compete for the nomination in the heavily Republican District 6: Jacob Bouma-Sims, Ashtyn Kennedy, Maurice Mercer, and Keith Pilkington. The special primary election is scheduled for June 16. Voters are encouraged to verify their congressional district on the Secretary of State’s website to ensure they are informed about their voting precincts.
Original reporting: BirminghamWatch — read the source article.
