Supreme Court Seeks New Arguments on Voting Rights Act Section 2 Constitutionality

The Supreme Court has ordered additional arguments in the Louisiana v. Callais case, which challenges whether race can be considered in drawing congressional maps, specifically focusing on Louisiana's creation of a second majority-Black district. This follows a lower court ruling that the state's previous map, with only one majority-Black district, diluted Black voting power and violated Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act (VRA). The current challenge, brought by non-Black plaintiffs, argues that Section 2 of the VRA is unconstitutional and that considering race in redistricting violates the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause. The Court's request for supplemental briefs signals a possible reconsideration of the VRA's application in redistricting, raising significant implications for voting rights and racial gerrymandering ahead of the 2026 midterms. This development occurs during the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, a time marked by both concern and cautious optimism about the future of voting rights in America. Experts emphasize the enormous stakes involved as the Court deliberates on the constitutionality of key provisions designed to protect minority voting power.