Alabama NAACP and others file emergency motion for temporary restraining order

The Alabama State Conference of the NAACP, along with Shalela Dowdy, Greater Birmingham Ministries, Letetia Jackson, Evan Milligan, and Khadidah Stone, filed an emergency motion for a temporary restraining order on May 12, 2026. The motion targets the governor's recent proclamation calling for a special election.

The filing includes an exhibit containing the governor’s proclamation, signaling a direct challenge to the timing or legality of the election order.

The case remains active but has not yet been assigned to a judge. The plaintiffs appear to be seeking immediate relief to halt the special election, likely arguing that the proclamation violates voting rights or election laws. The involvement of civil rights groups and community leaders suggests the dispute centers on electoral fairness or access.

No further details about the court or docket number are available, but the emergency nature of the motion indicates the plaintiffs want to prevent the election from proceeding as scheduled. The motion’s filing date and the attached proclamation provide a clear timeframe for the dispute.

The case will hinge on how the court views the governor’s authority to call a special election and whether the plaintiffs can show irreparable harm without a restraining order. The lack of a judge assignment means the case is still in its early stages, but the emergency motion will likely prompt a swift judicial response.

Watch for the court’s decision on whether to grant the temporary restraining order. That ruling will determine if the special election moves forward or is delayed pending further litigation. The judge’s initial handling of the motion will set the tone for the case’s pace and scope.