SB400 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Rodger SmithermanSenator

Democrat

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Senate, redistricting, Sec. 29-1-2.3 repealed, Sec. 29-1-2.3 added

Summary

SB400 would establish 35 Alabama Senate districts for the 2018 election, keep them in place until the next census, and set Montgomery County as the venue for challenges to the redistricting.

What This Bill Does

It divides the state into 35 Senate districts for the General Election of 2018 and defines their boundaries using census tracts and blocks. It repeals the current Section 29-1-2.3 and replaces it with a new version outlining the 35 districts and the boundary rules, while repealing conflicting laws. It designates Montgomery County Circuit Court as the venue for any legal action challenging the redistricting and requires related cases from other courts to be moved there; it also requires official maps to be kept by the Secretary of State and used to resolve boundary disputes.

Who It Affects

• Voters across Alabama, who would be represented by one of 35 Senate districts in the 2018 election based on these boundaries.
• State Senate candidates and current Senators, who would run in or represent these defined districts.
• People considering legal challenges to the redistricting plan, who would file in Montgomery County Circuit Court and may have cases transferred there.
• Secretary of State and local government, who would maintain and print the official district maps and boundary descriptions.

Key Provisions

• Section 29-1-2.3 is repealed and re-enacted to establish 35 Alabama Senate districts with boundaries described by census tracts and blocks (as listed in the bill).
• The plan seeks to comply with constitutional principles and federal standards by preserving county boundaries where possible, allowing population deviations within plus or minus five percent, and respecting Voting Rights Act considerations and communities of interest.
• Montgomery County Circuit Court is the exclusive venue for lawsuits contesting the Senate redistricting adopted under this act; any related actions in other courts must be transferred there.
• Official boundary maps and descriptions are to be kept by the Secretary of State, with maps prevailing in conflicts, and the act becomes effective for the 2018 Senate election and remains in place until reapportionment under the Constitution.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Reapportionment