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Supreme Court to Rehear Louisiana Voting Map Case, Weighing Constitutionality of Section 2 Remedies

A ruling curtailing the Voting Rights Act’s effects test could open the door to new maps that reshape House control in 2026.

Overview

  • The Court set Oct. 15 for a rare reargument in Louisiana v. Callais after asking whether drawing a Black‑majority district to comply with the Voting Rights Act is itself unconstitutional.
  • Louisiana shifted positions in supplemental filings, and the U.S. Department of Justice, joined by 16 states, urged abandoning the current effects-based interpretation of Section 2.
  • A report from Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter estimates Republicans could redraw up to 19 House seats if Section 2 is overturned, with up to 30% of Congressional Black Caucus seats and 11% of Congressional Hispanic Caucus seats at risk.
  • The expedited schedule raises the possibility of a decision early enough for states to re-redistrict ahead of the 2026 midterms.
  • Supporters say Section 2 remedies address racially polarized voting and past dilution, while critics contend they force unconstitutional racial sorting and call for a return to an intent standard.