US supreme court rules Louisiana must redraw its congressional map in landmark case

"Justice Samuel Alito stated, 'Allowing race to play any part in government decision-making represents a departure from the constitutional rule that applies in almost every other context.' He emphasized that compliance with section 2 could not justify the state's race-based redistricting."

"Justice Elena Kagan expressed in her dissent, 'The court has now accomplished a demolition of the Voting Rights Act.' She highlighted the significant implications of the ruling on minority representation and the historical protections afforded by the Act."

The US Supreme Court ruled in a 6-3 decision that Louisiana must redraw its congressional map, effectively nullifying section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This section has historically protected minority voters from discrimination in redistricting. Justice Samuel Alito stated that allowing race to influence government decisions contradicts constitutional principles. The ruling followed a lawsuit from Black voters challenging a congressional map that inadequately represented their population. Justice Elena Kagan criticized the decision as a demolition of the Voting Rights Act.

Read at www.theguardian.com