MONTGOMERY (AP) — Federal judges want lawyers for black lawmakers to come up with their own map for redrawing Alabama’s legislative districts.

The request came Tuesday in Montgomery during a hearing over the new voting lines.

Lawyers for black legislators contend Republicans illegally sorted voters by race when they drew new district lines.

The three-judge panel put tough questions to both sides during two hours of arguments.

They challenged the plaintiffs to draw a map that keeps districts the same size without following similar racial patterns. Attorneys replied they could have something done in a few weeks.

The hearing comes after the U.S. Supreme Court questioned how blocks of black voters were moved.

A state attorney says race was a factor in the decision making but not the predominant one.