Alabama is one of several U.S. states holding primary elections on Tuesday, but this election season holds a twist: some voters may need to return to the polls in August. Four of the state's congressional districts are slated for special primaries, driven by a nationwide redistricting battle.
Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled allowing Alabama to enforce an election map previously blocked in 2023 over claims it diluted the power of Black voters. The new map will redraw four southern congressional districts, consolidating many Democratic voters into a single district rather than two separate ones.
Following the ruling, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey announced special primaries in these four districts to implement the new map. However, the originally scheduled primaries will still take place in those districts on Tuesday, alongside other state and federal races.
Alabama limits governors to two consecutive four-year terms, making Ivey, 81, ineligible to run again in 2026. Her departure opens a heated race for governor. Six Democratic candidates and three Republican candidates are vying, with Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville leading. Tuberville, a former University of Auburn football coach, has cultivated a hardline conservative image. In 2023, he blocked hundreds of military promotions to protest a policy covering travel costs for service members seeking abortions.
The race for Tuberville's Senate seat also draws attention. Ten candidates are running, including six Republicans. Leading contenders include State Attorney General Steve Marshall, former Navy SEAL Jared Hudson, and Representative Barry Moore. Moore has secured the endorsement of former President Donald Trump. If no candidate reaches 50%, a runoff will take place in June.
In the four districts affected by redistricting (Districts 1, 2, 6, and 7), initial primaries proceed Tuesday under the old map. After the new map is enforced, these four districts will hold special primaries in August to update results. Candidates may choose to run in different districts due to the redesign.
Tuesday's primary results will be posted on the Alabama Secretary of State website. A poll by Alabama Daily News shows Moore leading the Senate race with 23%, followed by Hudson at 19% and Marshall at 14%. However, 40% of voters remain undecided. In the governor's race, Tuberville leads with 65% support.
