Alabama's governor has called a special legislative session to address redistricting and move primaries, after a Supreme Court ruling against race-based gerrymandering compelled the state — along with Tennessee — to redraw its congressional maps. The back-to-back legislative actions mark some of the most significant mid-cycle redistricting activity in years, with direct implications for the 2026 midterm elections.

Both Alabama and Tennessee are under pressure to finalize new maps quickly enough to accommodate primary schedules, as redistricting changes typically trigger adjustments to candidate filing deadlines and election calendars. Alabama's governor specifically cited the need for a special session to ensure the revised districts are legally settled before primaries proceed.

The Supreme Court ruling at the center of the controversy reaffirmed constitutional limits on the use of race as a predominant factor in drawing congressional boundaries. The decision prompted immediate action in states that had previously structured certain districts with explicit racial composition targets, requiring legislators to revisit maps that courts have found constitutionally suspect.

The redistricting push comes as Democrats and Republicans continue to dispute responsibility for how states respond to the ruling. Congressional map changes ahead of the 2026 elections could alter the partisan makeup of competitive seats, adding urgency to the legislative sessions in both states.

At least two states are confirmed to be moving forward with redrawn maps for both the 2026 and potentially 2028 election cycles, according to reporting on the broader scope of the ruling's impact. Legal challenges to any newly drawn maps are widely expected, which could further complicate primary timelines.