Supreme Court Hears Case on Louisiana’s Congressional Maps

Oral arguments are set for Wednesday as the Supreme Court takes on a significant case regarding Louisiana’s congressional maps and the role of race in their design. This legal dispute has raised concerns that it could undermine protections established by Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

The case, known as Louisiana v. Calais, was initially presented to the court in March. It examines whether the state’s new congressional map for 2024, which introduces a second majority Black district, constitutes unconstitutional “racial gerrymandering.” The implications of this case could extend beyond Louisiana, potentially influencing how other states manage voting rights laws during redistricting leading up to the 2026 midterm elections.

The justices have mandated that both parties return this fall for further arguments. Additionally, they have requested more briefs from each side to explore whether the deliberate creation of a majority-minority district contravenes the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments of the Constitution.

A decision from the court could have substantial repercussions for minority voters, as critics warn that a ruling siding with states might further weaken existing safeguards under the Voting Rights Act.

Justice’s Role in Map Drawing

In a notable development, justices indicated they might take it upon themselves to redraw Louisiana’s congressional map if state legislators fail to do so adequately.

The state’s approach has notably shifted since March, with Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill filing a brief that seeks to challenge the legitimacy of the 2024 map, calling for a broader ruling against racially-driven redistricting.

Murrill argued that the 14th Amendment prohibits the government from using race as a determinant, claiming that such districting relies on a stereotype about minorities sharing identical interests based solely on race. She stated firmly, “Redistricting based on race is fundamentally unconstitutional.”

In contrast, various black voter advocacy groups and civil rights organizations have urged the court not to alter the new map, contending that it aligns with the guarantees of equal voting rights under the 14th and 15th Amendments as well as the Voting Rights Act.

Looming Uncertainty for Elections

Louisiana has modified its congressional maps several times following the 2020 census. The first iteration, which only featured one majority Black district, faced legal challenges from the federal court and was blocked by the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in 2022. Both courts backed the NAACP’s claims, prompting the Fifth Circuit to instruct the state to devise a new redistricting plan by January 2024.

The Supreme Court’s request for additional input comes at a pivotal moment, as numerous Republican-controlled states are aggressively revising their congressional maps, raising questions about equality and representation in the electoral process. Their Supreme Court brief contended that non-Black voters did not demonstrate the necessary proof of harm for an equal protection claim and could not establish that race played a predominant role in the map redrawing.