Alabama lawmakers pushed ahead with a redistricting fight Wednesday as severe storms and flash flooding disrupted the state Capitol during a special session in Montgomery.
The Alabama State House was evacuated as storms moved through the area. The National Weather Service issued a radar-indicated Tornado Warning for Montgomery County while legislators were gathered to debate redistricting and voting-rights measures.
Wednesday was also labeled First Warning Alert Day because of the risk of tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. Forecasters warned the threat was being driven by the possibility of a few supercells capable of producing tornadoes.
As the weather deteriorated, state representatives posted video to social media showing flooding and vehicles partially submerged. Some lawmakers streamed the conditions from around the Capitol complex as water pooled on streets and in parking areas.
Despite the chaos, the Legislature passed House Bill 1 and Senate Bill 1 after a lengthy debate. House Bill 1 addresses congressional district lines, while Senate Bill 1 focuses on state Senate districts.
The bills are tied to emergency motions filed by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall, seeking court approval for new congressional and state Senate voting maps. The push comes amid a broader national redistricting scramble following a Supreme Court ruling connected to a Louisiana case that critics say weakens the Voting Rights Act.
Chaos in Alabama: Republican State Senators rammed through a bill to advance redistricting while tornado sirens blared, the chamber was being evacuated, and the livestream went dark.
When this is how they pass it – that tells you everything you need to know. pic.twitter.com/J1Fem4gwNb
— Max Flugrath🗳️ (@MaxFlugrath) May 6, 2026
Democrats warned the effort could unravel the current configuration of Alabama’s districts, including the seat currently held by Rep. Shomari Figures. State Rep. Adline Clarke, a Democrat representing District 9, said her constituents believe their hard-fought gains are now at risk.
“We elected Congressman Shamari Figures to the District 2 seat. And now, what my constituents are hearing is that we may very well lose that seat. And they are irate. They are not happy about this one bit because we fought hard to get that seat, giving us a second Black member of our seven-member Congressional for our seven-member U.S. House delegation,” Clarke said.
Republican members of the state House declined to speak on camera, but issued a statement framing the bill as a contingency plan tied to the Louisiana decision.
“HB 1 – Alabama’s contingency plan should SCOTUS apply the Callais ruling to our state – has passed the House and heads to the Senate. Alabama House Republicans are doing our part to ensure Congress stays red.”
Both bills are expected to move to committees Thursday, with final votes anticipated Friday.
For now, Alabama’s redistricting fight is moving fast, even as tornado warnings and rising water turned the state Capitol into a storm-zone backdrop for a high-stakes political showdown.
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