Amid a contentious special session and severe weather that forced an evacuation, the Alabama Legislature passed legislation that could set new primary election dates pending a potential Supreme Court decision. After several hours of debate, both legislative chambers approved HB-1 and SB-1. The legislation would create a special primary election using a congressional map previously struck down by a three-judge federal panel. The special primary election would only take place if an injunction requiring Alabama to use a court-drawn map through 2030 is lifted. NBC 15: Alabama lawmakers are set to vote Friday on redistricting-related legislation that could trigger new elections. “The legislation would create a special primary election using a congressional map previously struck down by a three-judge federal panel, but only if an… — Politics & Poll Tracker (@PollTracker2024) May 7, 2026 CBS 42 has more: Right now, Attorney General Steve Marshall is asking for the Supreme Court to lift a preliminary injunction that prevents Alabama from using a congressional map approved by legislature in 2023. Representative Adline Clark said the 2023 map targets predominantly Black voting districts and will dilute Black voting power. “We may very well lose not one, but both of those seats, because we have Republicans here saying that all seven of those seats ought to be filled by Republicans,” Clark explained. On the Senate side of things, SB-1 allows for special primary elections for state Senate seats for potentially impacted districts if the Supreme Court rules in Alabama’s favor. Coleman said the bill was passed as the building was being evacuated. “Crazy moments unfolding at the Alabama State House. During Senate debate over the redistricting bill involving Senate Districts 25 and 26, fire alarms suddenly began sounding after an already tense day that included a tornado warning,” one X user wrote. “The Senate quickly moved to pass the bill as Democrats dropped their filibuster, and lawmakers, staff, and members of the media are now evacuating the State House,” he added. Crazy moments unfolding at the Alabama State House. During Senate debate over the redistricting bill involving Senate Districts 25 and 26, fire alarms suddenly began sounding after an already tense day that included a tornado warning. The Senate quickly moved to pass the bill as… pic.twitter.com/xryHOVMoTK — Jeff Sanders (@JeffSandersNews) May 6, 2026 “Chaos in Alabama: Republican State Senators rammed through a bill to advance redistricting while tornado sirens blared, the chamber was being evacuated, and the livestream went dark,” another X user commented. Chaos in Alabama: Republican State Senators rammed through a bill to advance redistricting while tornado sirens blared, the chamber was being evacuated, and the livestream went dark. When this is how they pass it – that tells you everything you need to know. pic.twitter.com/J1Fem4gwNb — Max Flugrath (@MaxFlugrath) May 6, 2026 “We heard flooding, of course, then we got the tornado,” said Sen. Merika Coleman, according to CBS 42. “The tornado, you know, we heard the blaring of that as well. Someone said they were checking to see if there were any snakes down in there,” she continued. “We’re in inclement weather. This building is flooded. We’ve had several people to have medical emergencies, including one of my constituents and a senator,” Coleman added. The area around the Alabama State House began flooding. Check it out: Lots of rain here at the State House. Actually, it’s flooding. Everyone came down to the first floor during the tornado warning and now they are headed upstairs because the first floor is flooding. Remember, the Senate is still meeting upstairs!#alpolitics@spann pic.twitter.com/mFmmoOdoWQ — Todd Stacy (@toddcstacy) May 6, 2026 Flooding getting real at the State House. Feels like 2009. Could be only a matter of time before the power goes out. @spann #alpolitics pic.twitter.com/5MY1kStzE7 — Todd Stacy (@toddcstacy) May 6, 2026 Alabama Reflector shared further: The legislation drew sharp criticism from Democrats, who said the bills aimed to reduce Black political representation in the Legislature. “This body continues to find more ways to make voting more difficult, more ways to suppress the vote and more ways to dilute the power of the Black vote,” said Rep. Adline Clarke, D-Mobile. “Make no mistake, that’s what HB 1 would do, and it’s a tragic step backwards for Black Alabama voters. But we’ve been here before and we will not give up this fight.” The legislation will only take effect if federal courts respond favorably to a flurry of cases filed by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall seeking to reverse federal court rulings in 2023 and 2025 that found congressional and legislative maps approved by the Legislature violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and discriminated against Black voters. The rulings led to new court-ordered maps. The U.S. Supreme Court last week weakened Section 2 in a case known as Louisiana v. Callais. However, Justice Samuel Alito wrote that the ruling did not apply to Allen v. Milligan, the 2023 case that led to congressional redistricting.