The Power of the Pen
The most direct power the governor of Alabama wields over redistricting is the same one they have over most legislation: the veto. Congressional and state legislative maps are drawn by the legislature and passed as normal bills. This means a governor can sign a proposed map into law or reject it with a veto if they disagree with the lines. This gives the governor a seat at the negotiating table, as legislative leaders must create a map that can either win the governor's signature or command a large enough majority to override a potential veto. In recent years, governors have consistently signed redistricting plans passed by the legislature, such as in 2011 and during the multiple rounds of map-drawing after the 2020 census.
Calling the Special Session
A governor can’t introduce
a bill or draw a map themselves, but they hold the power to set the agenda by calling the legislature into a special session. This is a significant tool, especially when court deadlines loom or a political opportunity arises. For instance, in May 2026, Governor Kay Ivey called a special session to address redistricting after a U.S. Supreme Court decision in a Louisiana case was seen as an opening to reinstate a previously blocked map. This power allows a governor to force the legislature's hand, directing focus and political energy toward the single issue of redistricting and creating contingency plans for elections, as seen when lawmakers passed legislation to enable a special primary if the courts allowed a map change.
The Bully Pulpit and Political Pressure
Beyond formal powers, the governor has immense informal influence. Using the “bully pulpit,” a governor can shape public opinion, rally support for a particular map, or publicly criticize a plan they find unacceptable. By issuing press releases, holding news conferences, and using social media, they can frame the debate and put pressure on legislators. After a favorable Supreme Court ruling in May 2026, Governor Ivey publicly celebrated the decision as a “win for Alabamians” and common sense, reinforcing her administration's position and encouraging voters to participate in a newly called special primary. This public-facing role helps build a political mandate for the governor's preferred outcome, influencing both lawmakers and the broader political environment.
The Limits: Courts and Legislative Overrides
Despite these powers, the governor is far from absolute. The legislature can, with a sufficient majority, override a gubernatorial veto. More importantly, the entire state process is constrained by the federal judiciary. For much of its recent history, Alabama's redistricting battles have been ultimately decided by federal courts, not the statehouse. Repeatedly, maps passed by the legislature and signed by the governor have been struck down for violating the Voting Rights Act or the Constitution. In these instances, courts have blocked the state from using its own maps and, in cases like the one leading to the 2024 elections, have imposed their own court-drawn remedial maps. Even when a governor and legislature agree on a path forward, as they did in the 2026 special session, federal judges can and do issue injunctions to stop them, finding that the plans are intentionally discriminatory.
