Supreme Court strikes down Louisiana congressional map in 6-3 ruling on race and redistricting

Wednesday, April 29, 2026U.S. PoliticsWell-covered4 frames

The Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, including the newly created second majority-Black district.
The decision was 6-3, with the court’s six conservative justices in the majority and the three liberal justices in dissent.
The court held that Louisiana lawmakers relied too heavily on race in drawing the map, making it an unconstitutional racial gerrymander under the Equal Protection Clause.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority opinion, which said Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act did not require Louisiana to create a second majority-minority district.
The ruling limits how states may use race when drawing electoral districts, even when they are trying to comply with the Voting Rights Act.
The decision could affect redistricting beyond Louisiana, with reports saying other states may reconsider maps before the midterm elections and that the ruling could influence party fortunes in House races.
What happens next in other states remains unsettled, because the immediate legal effect is clear in Louisiana but the broader impact on existing and future maps will depend on how states and lower courts respond.

Wednesday, April 29, 2026U.S. PoliticsWell-covered4 frames

The Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, including the newly created second majority-Black district.
The decision was 6-3, with the court’s six conservative justices in the majority and the three liberal justices in dissent.
The court held that Louisiana lawmakers relied too heavily on race in drawing the map, making it an unconstitutional racial gerrymander under the Equal Protection Clause.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority opinion, which said Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act did not require Louisiana to create a second majority-minority district.
The ruling limits how states may use race when drawing electoral districts, even when they are trying to comply with the Voting Rights Act.
The decision could affect redistricting beyond Louisiana, with reports saying other states may reconsider maps before the midterm elections and that the ruling could influence party fortunes in House races.
What happens next in other states remains unsettled, because the immediate legal effect is clear in Louisiana but the broader impact on existing and future maps will depend on how states and lower courts respond.