The U.S. Supreme Court is set to hear arguments on Wednesday in a pivotal case over Louisiana’s congressional map, a dispute that could further weaken Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act — a key safeguard against racial discrimination in elections. The case stems from a challenge by Black voters to a lower court ruling that struck down a map creating a second Black-majority district, saying it relied too heavily on race and violated the constitutional guarantee of equal protection.
Louisiana, where Black residents make up about one-third of the population, has six congressional districts, but only one is currently majority-Black. After a court ordered lawmakers to add a second such district, a group of white voters sued, claiming the change diluted their political influence. A three-judge panel agreed that race played an excessive role in redrawing the map, prompting an appeal to the Supreme Court. The state, which initially sided with Black voters, has since reversed its stance and now argues against race-conscious map drawing.
The high-stakes hearing comes as the conservative-majority Supreme Court continues to reshape the scope of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. A ruling limiting Section 2 could open the door for Republicans to redraw as many as 19 congressional districts nationwide, according to advocacy groups. The court’s decision, expected by June, will determine whether race can remain a factor in ensuring fair representation for minority voters.
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