Alabama Senate Bill SB5

Alabama 2023 2nd Special Session

• Introduced: 7/17/23
• Refer: 7/17/23
• Report Pass: 7/18/23
• Engrossed: 7/19/23
• Refer: 7/19/23
• Report Pass: 7/20/23
• Enrolled: 7/21/23
• Passed: 7/21/23

Caption

To amend Section 17-14-70, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide for the reapportionment and redistricting of the state's United States Congressional districts for the purpose of electing members at the General Election in 2024 and thereafter, until the release of the next federal census; and to add Section 17-40-70.1 to the Code of Alabama 1975, to provide legislative findings.

Impact

The Act stipulates that congressional districts will be determined primarily by total population as reported by the federal census, with requirements for contiguity and compactness. Furthermore, the plan is designed to limit the number of county line splits to no more than six, which proponents argue is necessary to ensure minimal deviation in population across districts. This systematic approach is tailored to promote fair representation and maintain the integrity of local communities.

Summary

SB5 is a legislative act aimed at amending Section 17-14-70 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to provide for the reapportionment and redistricting of the state’s United States Congressional districts. This process is critical for the upcoming general elections in 2024 and will remain effective until the release of the next federal census in 2030. The bill establishes prominent criteria for redistricting that adhere to traditional principles based on historical and bipartisan consensus, contributing to a legally sound framework for district boundaries.

Contention

Notable points of contention throughout the bill's discussion include concerns over the potential impact on communities of interest, particularly in regions with established cultural and economic ties. The bill explicitly notes the intention to keep communities such as the Black Belt and the Gulf Coast intact within their respective districts as much as possible. However, critics argue that the criteria established may compromise local representation by forcing communities to fit into predetermined molds resulting from population calculations, potentially diluting the voices of minority groups in the state.