Alabama is once again appealing to the U.S. Supreme Court a lower court ruling that found the state's map of congressional election districts likely violates the Voting Rights Act by weakening Black voters' power.

The legal battle over Alabama's congressional districts is expected to continue with a court trial about the map that will be used for the 2026 elections. Gulf States Newsroom reporter Stephan Bisaha contributed to this report. Edited by Benjamin Swasey

The new map adds a second congressional district where Black voters' preferred candidate is projected to win a majority of the time. That's a win for Black Alabamians — and Democrats, who tend to receive those votes. It's a loss for Republican leaders in Alabama who were twice rebuked by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Alabama appealed to the Supreme Court. The justices decided the state could at least use the new map it drew for the 2022 elections while waiting on a final decision from the high court.