Supreme Court to Hear Louisiana Redistricting Case Impacting Voting Rights Act

Nov 4, 2024, 03:05 PM

The US Supreme Court has agreed to hear a dispute over Louisiana's congressional map, which includes two majority-Black districts, after the 2024 election. The case centers on whether the state's effort to create a second majority-Black voting district violates federal law by unlawfully considering race in redistricting. The outcome could have significant implications for Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, potentially affecting the balance of power in Congress by determining the power of Black voters in Louisiana. Louisiana is currently subject to conflicting lower court orders, with one prohibiting the use of the old maps and another blocking the new maps. The Supreme Court's decision aims to resolve these conflicting orders regarding the legality of the new district maps.