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Alabama FarmPAC-endorsed candidates are seeking Alabama Farmers Federation members' support at the polls Tuesday despite recent ballot bewilderment following court rulings.
The state's May 19 primary election will continue as planned following a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court and a special session of the Alabama Legislature.
Federation External Affairs Department Director Brian Hardin said it's imperative Federation members exercise their right to vote May 19.
"Tuesday's races are set, and the ballots have been printed," Hardin said. "The timing of the Supreme Court's decision and special session has left some voters unsure of what to expect, but it's critical we turn out Tuesday and support FarmPAC-endorsed candidates."
The current confusion stems from the Supreme Court's April 29 decision in Louisiana v. Callais, in which the Court limited the consideration of race as the predominant factor in drawing Congressional districts under the Voting Rights Act. In turn, Alabama state lawmakers gathered for a special session concluding with the passage of HB 1 and SB 1 May 8.
HB 1 authorizes a special election in Congressional districts 1, 2, 6 and 7 using the 2023 map approved by the state Legislature instead of the current court-drawn map. SB 1 would authorize a special election for state Senate districts 25 and 26, pending a separate federal court decision.
The Supreme Court instructed the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Alabama in Birmingham to reconsider its most recent case preventing the state's use of the 2023 map.
Despite the court confusion, Hardin said Federation members should still be ready to vote May 19.
"Voters in Congressional districts 1, 2, 6 and 7 will have an opportunity to vote again this summer, but that shouldn't change anything about their decisions next week," Hardin said.
Gov. Kay Ivey set the special Congressional election for Aug. 11.
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