Supreme court rejects Alabama’s plea and allows drawing of new congressional map

The new map in place will create a second majority-Black district that will give political power to voters in the Black belt

The US supreme court has rejected a last-ditch request from Alabama to continue to use a congressional map that diluted the influence of Black voters in the state, a significant decision signaling the justices are not backing away from a surprise ruling in June that upheld the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

The court's brief, unsigned order on Tuesday offered no explanation, which is typical in cases that come to the justices on an emergency basis. It had no noted dissents.