The Supreme Court has postponed its ruling on Louisiana v. Callais, a key redistricting case that may affect voting rights nationwide. Experts express concern that the court's conservative majority could weaken the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The case revolves around Louisiana's congressional district maps drawn by a Republican legislature, creating only one majority-Black district despite a significant Black population. Civil rights groups sued, claiming the maps diluted Black voting power, with a federal judge agreeing and upholding the decision on appeal. Lawmakers opted to re-draw the maps, creating two majority-Black districts.
The Supreme Court decided to delay a ruling on Louisiana v. Callais, a redistricting case that could change voting rights across the country. Experts worry that the court's conservative supermajority may undermine the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which is crucial for voting rights protection.
Louisiana's congressional redistricting was initiated by the Republican-controlled legislature after the 2020 census, creating only one majority-Black district in a state where one-third of the population is Black. Civil rights groups and Black voters challenged the map, alleging it diluted their voting power.
A federal judge from Louisiana agreed that the state's congressional redistricting likely violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination. This finding was upheld by a bipartisan panel of Fifth Circuit judges.
Louisiana lawmakers faced the decision to create two majority-Black districts or accept congressional lines set by the Middle District judge, ultimately opting for the former and drafting a new map.
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