Special elections pushed by GOP would cost Alabama $5 million: ‘Where are we getting the money?’

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Members of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee gather at the State House in Montgomery, Ala., during a public hearing on HB1, a bill that, pending Supreme Court approval, would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, questions Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile at the State House in Montgomery, Ala., during a public hearing on Pringle’s bill HB1, a bill that, pending Supreme Court approval, would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, questions Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile at the State House in Montgomery, Ala., during a public hearing on Pringle’s bill HB1, a bill that, pending Supreme Court approval, would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rep. Christ Pringle, R-Mobile, speaks at the State House in Montgomery, Ala., during a public hearing on his sponsored bill HB1, a bill that, pending Supreme Court approval, would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Committee Chair Rep. Rex Reynolds, R-Madison County, speaks at the State House in Montgomery, Ala., during a public hearing on HB1, a bill that, pending Supreme Court approval, would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, questions Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile at the State House in Montgomery, Ala., during a public hearing on Pringle’s bill HB1, a bill that, pending Supreme Court approval, would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Members of the House Ways and Means General Fund Committee gather at the State House in Montgomery, Ala., during a public hearing on HB1, a bill that, pending Supreme Court approval, would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rep. Andy Whitt, R-Madison County, appears to look through HB1, at the State House in Montgomery, Ala., during a public hearing on HB1, a bill that, pending Supreme Court approval, would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rep. Christ Pringle, R-Mobile, speaks at the State House in Montgomery, Ala., during a public hearing on his sponsored bill HB1, a bill that, pending Supreme Court approval, would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rep. Napoleon Bracy Jr., D-Mobile, questions Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile at the State House in Montgomery, Ala., during a public hearing on Pringle’s bill HB1, a bill that, pending Supreme Court approval, would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rep. A.J. McCampbell, D-Demopolis, questions Rep. Chris Pringle, R-Mobile at the State House in Montgomery, Ala., during a public hearing on Pringle’s bill HB1, a bill that, pending Supreme Court approval, would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Jamel Brown speaks in opposition to HB1 during a public hearing on the bill at the State House in Montgomery, Ala. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Jamel Brown speaks in opposition to HB1 during a public hearing on the bill at the State House in Montgomery, Ala. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Ella Jane Franklin holds up a copy of David Frost Jr.’s “Witness to Injustice” as she speaks in opposition to HB1 during a public hearing on the bill at the State House in Montgomery, Ala. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Kenneth Sharpton speaks in opposition to HB1 during a public hearing on the bill at the State House in Montgomery, Ala. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Richard Williams speaks in opposition to HB1 during a public hearing on the bill at the State House in Montgomery, Ala. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham speaks in opposition to HB1 during a public hearing on the bill at the State House in Montgomery, Ala. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Ella Jane Franklin holds up a copy of David Frost Jr.’s “Witness to Injustice” as she speaks in opposition to HB1 during a public hearing on the bill at the State House in Montgomery, Ala. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham speaks in opposition to HB1 during a public hearing on the bill at the State House in Montgomery, Ala. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Richard Williams speaks in opposition to HB1 during a public hearing on the bill at the State House in Montgomery, Ala. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Jamel Brown speaks in opposition to HB1 during a public hearing on the bill at the State House in Montgomery, Ala. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Laurie Dill holds up a sign as she stands in opposition to HB1 outside the State House in Montgomery, Ala., after a public hearing on the bill. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Travis Jackson holds up a sign as he stands in opposition to HB1 outside the State House in Montgomery, Ala., after a public hearing on the bill. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Andra Johnson Lee holds up signs as she stands in opposition to HB1 outside the State House in Montgomery, Ala., after a public hearing on the bill. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Opponents of HB1 gather outside the State House in Montgomery, Ala., after a public hearing on the bill. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Opponents of HB1 gather outside the State House in Montgomery, Ala., after a public hearing on the bill. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Kimberly Weldon applauds speakers as she stands in opposition to HB1 outside the State House in Montgomery, Ala., after a public hearing on the bill. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Opponents of HB1 gather outside the State House in Montgomery, Ala., after a public hearing on the bill. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rep. Barbara Drummond, D-Mobile., speaks to opponents of HB1 outside the State House in Montgomery, Ala., after a public hearing on the bill. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Rep. Terri Sewell, D-Ala., speaks to opponents of HB1 outside the State House in Montgomery, Ala., after a public hearing on the bill. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Veronica Jackson and Sunshine Hurst stand in opposition to HB1 outside the State House in Montgomery, Ala., after a public hearing on the bill. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Opponents of HB1 gather outside the State House in Montgomery, Ala., after a public hearing on the bill. With Supreme Court approval, the bill would allow the state to use an alternative congressional map and call a special election, Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Will McLelland | AL.com)

Alabama’s effort to change legislative maps and hold special elections that could remove Black Democrats from office could cost the state $5.1 million, according to a legislative fiscal note.

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