Alabama voters are casting ballots Tuesday to fill the state's seven U.S. House seats, with the marquee contest unfolding in a redrawn district that could hand Republicans a critical pickup.
The Yellowhammer State's congressional delegation is currently split 5-2 in favor of the GOP. But the map was redrawn earlier this year after the Supreme Court's ruling on the Voting Rights Act, a move that Gov. Kay Ivey and the Republican-controlled Legislature hoped would shift one Democratic-held seat into the Republican column.
Most of the state's districts are not expected to change hands. The 1st, 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th Districts are all rated as safe or likely Republican by election forecasters. In the 7th District, longtime Rep. Terri Sewell is seeking a ninth term and is expected to keep that seat in Democratic hands.
All eyes are on the 2nd Congressional District, where freshman Rep. Shomari Figures (D) is fighting for reelection. The Montgomery-based district was redrawn to include more of southeastern Alabama and no longer has an African American majority. Republican state Rep. Rhett Marques is challenging Figures, and most forecasters rate the race as likely or leaning Republican.
The outcome in Alabama is part of a broader national landscape as voters in multiple states head to the polls. In Maryland, several House races are drawing attention, including a competitive contest in the state's 6th District. Meanwhile, in Kansas, voters are deciding four House seats after a GOP redistricting push failed to materialize.
Polls close at 8 p.m. EST. Check back for live results and updates as the night unfolds.
