The ongoing lawsuit over Alabama’s congressional map returned to federal court this week. Arise’s Mike Nicholson attended the U.S. District Court’s redistricting hearing in Birmingham on Aug. 14.

In this video update, Mike provides background on the case, which returned to district court after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Allen v. Milligan. He also talks about the frustration that many people at the hearing seemed to feel in response to the state’s arguments. Judges questioned whether Alabama’s revised map complied with their order for lawmakers to draw two districts where Black voters have a realistic opportunity to elect a candidate of their preference.

This week’s hearing followed a July special session during which the Legislature drew a new congressional map in response to the Allen v. Milligan ruling. That decision found that Alabama’s congressional districts likely violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of Black voters. Plaintiffs said lawmakers’ new map also violates the act and urged the court to appoint a special master to draw Alabama’s congressional districts.