Federal judges on Friday rejected Alabama’s request to lift an injunction blocking the state from using previously approved congressional and state Senate district maps, leaving the issue unresolved as the state awaits action from the U.

Alabama officials asked the Supreme Court to allow new congressional maps, hoping to take advantage of a high court ruling weakening voting rights.

Alabama’s secretary of state should be held in contempt of court for rushing to change the state’s congressional district lines in violation of a court order entered less than a year ago, lawyers argue in a new filing.

The National redistricting battle is heating up as southern red states race to re-draw their congressional maps following the Supreme Court’s decision on gerrymandering. Tennessee State Rep. Justin