The Supreme Court of the United States appears ready to limit how federal courts enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
In Louisiana v. Callais, conservative justices signaled openness to letting states defend disputed maps as partisan, not racial.
Critics warn this could let lawmakers redraw up to 19 districts to favor Republicans.
Louisiana Dispute
The case began over Louisiana’s 2022 map, which a court said likely violated Section 2 by placing most Black voters into one district.
Lawmakers later added a second majority-Black district, but white voters challenged it as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
Broader Impact
Justices questioned how changes would fit precedents like Allen v. Milligan and Thornburg v. Gingles.
Advocacy groups say weakening Section 2 could shift congressional power, while some states consider their own voting protections.