Governors in Alabama and Utah Sign Redistricting-Related Legislation

Two U.S. governors signed legislation in early 2026 connected to separate state redistricting controversies. In Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey signed a bill authorizing potential special elections in certain congressional and state Senate districts, contingent on favorable outcomes in ongoing redistricting litigation, following a federal court's denial of an emergency stay in the congressional map case. In Utah, Gov. Spencer Cox signed a bill adding new justices to the state Supreme Court after the Legislature sought to overturn a court ruling that had given Democrats a stronger chance of winning one of Utah's four Republican-held congressional seats. The Alabama measure came in response to a federal court ruling on the state's congressional map, though details of that underlying case, such as the specific districts affected or the plaintiffs involved, were not specified in available reporting. The Utah bill passed with more than two-thirds legislative approval, allowing it to take effect immediately; once the new seats are filled, Cox will have appointed five of the state Supreme Court's seven justices. Both actions occurred amid unresolved redistricting litigation in their respective states, with courts holding open matters that could affect future elections. The Alabama special elections are contingent on the outcome of pending court rulings, meaning it remains unresolved whether or when such elections will actually be held. In Utah, the timeline for filling the newly created Supreme Court seats and the court's eventual ruling on the Legislature's appeal of the redistricting decision remain unresolved. Further developments in both states' redistricting cases are expected but not yet confirmed as of the reporting dates.