Overview

• By expanding the case from technical map questions heard in March, justices will now address fundamental conflicts between Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and constitutional race protections.
• The court directed Louisiana and Black voter groups to file initial briefs by August 27, non-African American plaintiffs by September 17, and reply briefs by October 3.
• The dispute follows a 2024 legislature map that added a second majority-Black congressional district after courts found Louisiana’s 2022 plan likely diluted Black votes in violation of Section 2.
• The Supreme Court’s 6-3 conservative majority has previously limited Voting Rights Act provisions in Shelby County v. Holder (2013) and Brnovich v. DNC (2021) under a colorblind constitutional approach.
• A ruling that bars race-based remedial districts could prevent states from citing VRA compliance in map drawing, with sweeping effects on redistricting and minority representation nationwide.