If state legislators have their way, Cherokee County will change from the Fourth U.S. Congressional District to the Third.

The Alabama Senate on Thursday approved congressional districts designed to assist Demo-crats in gaining a House seat.

Under the plan, Cherokee County, which has been in the Fourth District for decades, will be moved to the Third District.

Currently, Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-Haleyville) is the Fourth District congressionman. Third District Rep. Bob Riley, also a Republican, isn’t running for re-election, and the Democrats are pushing to gain that seat.

The Senate’s version could come up for a vote in the Alabama House of Representatives this week. It also could be held up. A three-judge federal panel Monday began a trial on a lawsuit seeking to have the judges draw new districts. The lawsuit contends the Legislature waited so close to this year’s election before completing the redistricting that is required every 10 years, after each U.S. Census.

The congressional plan will be reviewed by the U.S. Justice Department next month before being voted on in the April state primary