Supreme Court Hears Louisiana Case Challenging Voting Rights Act

The U.S. Supreme Court is considering a pivotal case, Louisiana v. Callais, that could fundamentally alter the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by potentially banning the consideration of race in redistricting. Louisiana Republicans, led by Attorney General Liz Murrill, argue that creating majority-minority districts is unconstitutional racial classification and seek to overrule key precedents like Thornburg v. Gingles, which have supported protections for minority voters for decades. This challenge follows a 2024 redistricting map in Louisiana that established two majority-Black congressional districts, a map drawn under court order to comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits discriminatory voting practices. Opponents of the current map claim it constitutes unconstitutional racial gerrymandering by segregating voters based on race, while civil rights groups argue that eliminating such districts would dilute minority voting power, particularly in Southern states. The outcome of this case could dismantle significant protections against racial gerrymandering, affecting minority representation nationwide and potentially reversing decades of civil rights advancements. The Supreme Court is expected to hear arguments in October 2025, with a decision likely by June 2026.