Statement From Hanu Karlapalem on SB1, HB1

HD4 Democratic Nominee Hanu Karlapalem Calls SB1 and HB1 a Mass Voter Purge — and a Betrayal of Every Alabamian Who Believes in Fair Elections

MADISON, Alabama — Hanu Karlapalem, Democratic nominee for Alabama House District 4, released the following statement on the Alabama Legislature’s passage of SB1 and HB1 — bills passed during a special session that would nullify the results of the May 19 primary in districts drawn under federal court order to ensure fair minority representation, and force new primaries under maps previously found to violate the Voting Rights Act.

“On Wednesday, May 6, 2026, I stood inside the Alabama Statehouse with two veterans who served this country with honor. Lt. Col. Benard Simelton — USAF (Retd.). Mr. Stanley McCrary — U.S. Army (Retd.). We watched any pretense of democracy in Alabama coming apart. Because while Black Democratic senators and representatives stood at that podium — speaking for fair maps, for equal representation, for their constituents — members of the Republican Supermajority talked loudly among themselves on the floor. Huddled in side conversations. Checked their phones. Laughed. Condescending. Dismissive. Disrespectful. Not once. Repeatedly.”

Hanu swore an oath to defend the Constitution. His two friends — both veterans — who also swore that oath watched House and Senate floors in real time. Despite the flooding in the building and tornado warnings on May 7, the supermajority voted anyway even after absentee ballots had already been distributed — and many had already been mailed back in. Votes already cast. Potentially thrown out. Hanu’s opponent is Parker Moore, the Republican Whip of the Alabama House whose job is to organize and deliver these votes. His name was on that board.

This is not the first time Moore has refused to answer. Hanu challenged him to three debates — one in each county of this district: Morgan, Limestone, and Madison. Moore has not responded. Hanu wrote to him directly about SB21 — a bill targeting naturalized citizens like Hanu. He did not respond. Now Moore’s name is on SB1 and HB1. The pattern is clear: Moore does not answer to the people of District 4. He answers to the supermajority.

His legacy has a name: SB1 and HB1 — bills that amount to a mass voter purge and the deliberate disenfranchisement of minority communities. Voter suppression and oppression dressed up in legislative language. And it does not stop there. SB21 is un-American and against the fourteenth amendment. SB1 and HB1 are designed to silence the communities that would elect citizens like Hanu to the State House. Same supermajority. Same agenda. Different bills. They are vandalizing Alabama’s democracy from every direction — attempting to bar candidates who look like Hanu and erasing the votes of communities that deserve fair representation.

And while they were busy doing all of this, this arrogant supermajority has done nothing — nothing — to ease the pain of Alabama families struggling with rising costs of living, rising costs of doing business, rising costs of farming. They defunded our public schools to the tune of $250 million and handed it out to private school vouchers with zero accountability. They are running away — turning their backs — so they don’t have to answer for any of it. Organized. Delivered. Permanent. That is Parker Moore’s record — and it will follow him to November 3rd.

Hanu added: “Outside the State Capitol in Montgomery I walked past a marker that reads: “United States Flag Raised Over Alabama Capitol — April 12, 1865.” 161 years ago, the state of Alabama was brought back into the Union. The promise of equal citizenship that came with it has never fully arrived. What I witnessed last week tells me some people are determined it never will.”

Hours after the supermajority passed SB1 and HB1, a federal court rejected Alabama’s emergency request to undo the existing voting maps. Monday, the U.S. Supreme Court went further — halting the court order requiring Alabama to use maps with two majority-Black districts, and directing the lower court to reconsider. Justice Sotomayor’s dissent makes clear that intentional discrimination under the 14th Amendment remains a live legal argument. SB1 and HB1 are an insult to every Black Alabamian, every minority Alabamian, whose vote the supermajority is trying to erase. And those bills are an equal insult to every White Alabamian — because the supermajority is betting you won’t connect the dots. This fight is not about Black and White — it is about whether Alabama has a functioning and healthy representative democracy. That is something every voter in this district and across the state should care about.

Today, the chaos grew deeper.

The same federal district court that originally struck down Alabama’s discriminatory maps issued an order Tuesday demanding the state explain — before next Tuesday’s election — how it can ensure voters use lawful maps. Briefing deadline: Friday. Reply briefs due: Tuesday. Election Day itself.

Meanwhile, Governor Ivey has issued new election dates for Congressional Districts 1, 2, 6 and 7 and state senate districts 25 and 26. Those races will appear on Alabama’s May 19 ballot — but the votes will not count unless the court acts in time. Thousands of absentee ballots already mailed back by Alabama voters may be thrown out entirely. There will be no runoffs.

Alabama voters are being asked to go to the polls next Tuesday without knowing whether their votes will count.

That is the direct result of SB1 and HB1. That is Parker Moore’s legacy in real time.

A direct word to voters in Morgan, Limestone, and Madison counties:

Congressional District 5 and Alabama House District 4 are not affected by this redistricting chaos. Your May 19 votes count. Go vote on Tuesday, May 19.

We will defeat Parker Moore and his Republican supermajority on November 3rd and build an Alabama we can afford — lower costs, stronger public schools, real healthcare. Hanu will continue to fight for every Alabamian — by birth or by choice. Economy First. People First. Constitution First. Hanu urges all eligible voters in Alabama State House District 4 — Morgan, Limestone, and Madison counties — to vote in the May 19 primary, register, organize, and turn out for the November 3, 2026 general election.

— Hanu Karlapalem, Democratic Nominee, Alabama State House District 4

Hanu Karlapalem is a Madison, Alabama resident of 26 years, small technology business owner, UAH M.S. graduate, and Life Member and former Second Vice President of the Limestone County NAACP.

He has been on the frontlines fighting against hate and bigotry, for voting rights and freedoms, and to protect our democracy and the Constitution. He has been married for 31 years and has deep roots in the North Alabama community through civic, professional, and community service. He is the Democratic nominee for Alabama State House District 4 in the November 3, 2026, general election.

For more information: https://www.hanu4alabama.com