U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark voting rights ruling ignites redistricting scramble ahead of midterms

The U.S. Supreme Court handed down a landmark voting rights decision on April 29, striking down Louisiana's congressional map in a 6-3 ruling. The decision in Louisiana v. Callais significantly curtails the power of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The Court held that while compliance with the Voting Rights Act could serve as a compelling interest in redistricting, it did not require Louisiana to add a second majority-Black district. The ruling has triggered a rush of legislative action across the country, with governors calling special sessions and primaries being suspended ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. The decision dramatically raised the bar for plaintiffs challenging maps under the Voting Rights Act, requiring proof of present-day intentional racial discrimination. The three liberal justices dissented, and civil rights organizations condemned the ruling.