Would this be mandatory to do? I've always thought that splitting Mobile was a big no?
Yes, it is a big red line. The GOP would never willingly draw two AA seats. But it is the kind of red line easily crossed if a lawsuit forces two seats.
I'm sure it's not any more of an inherent issue than dealing with the Delmarva Peninsula for VA, the Kentucky Bend for KY, or most of Southern LA at this point. Point contiguity and/or adjacent precincts - regardless of what is between them - should be able to pass muster. Besides, I'm sure there's probably an alternative that can be drawn either to give all the bay-adjacent Mobile precincts to non-BVAP districts and/or split those precincts to avoid exclusive water contiguity (after all, I highly doubt there are large black-majority populations living on the beaches in Mobile).
