Alabama's Republican lawmakers are facing criticism for not publicly releasing their proposed congressional redistricting plan, just days before a special session to address the issue. Democrats argue this lack of transparency prevents public input and thorough scrutiny of the plan, which is crucial given the Supreme Court's ruling requiring Alabama to redraw its districts to ensure fairer representation for Black voters.

The special session, starting Monday, July 17, will focus on approving a new redistricting map. However, the details of the Republican-developed plan remain undisclosed. Democrats express concern about being presented with a finalized map shortly before the vote, leaving little time for review and discussion. Representative Chris England emphasized the importance of transparency in this process, particularly considering the significant implications of redrawing the congressional map to comply with the Supreme Court decision.

A federal court has set a July 21 deadline for Alabama to adopt a revised map. The Supreme Court upheld the lower court's ruling that the current map likely violates the Voting Rights Act by having only one district with a substantial Black voting-age population, despite Black residents comprising over 25% of the state's population. The court indicated Alabama should have two districts where Black voters have a significant chance to elect their preferred candidates.

While Republicans defend their timeline, stating they are working as quickly as possible, Democrats argue that such a significant decision should involve more public engagement. House Speaker Pro Tempore Chris Pringle assured the proposed map would be shared with committee members before the Monday meeting. However, the lack of prior public release raises concerns about adequate opportunity for review and feedback.

The plaintiffs who successfully challenged the existing map have presented their own proposal, which would modify the 2nd Congressional District to create an "opportunity district" with a 50% Black voting-age population. This proposed district would combine parts of the Black Belt region with sections of Mobile County. Several plaintiffs shared personal stories, highlighting their motivation for joining the case and advocating for better representation for their communities.

Within the Democratic party, there's some disagreement on the best approach. Senator Vivian Davis Figures supports the plaintiffs' map, believing it aligns with the court's directive. Senator Rodger Smitherman, however, favors an alternative proposal that would redraw the 6th Congressional District to encompass all of Jefferson County, including Birmingham, creating a racially diverse district where a Democrat could potentially be elected.

With the deadline fast approaching, the upcoming special session will be crucial in determining Alabama's new congressional map. The outcome will significantly impact the state's political landscape and representation in Congress for years to come.