Supreme Court calls Louisiana's House map an 'unconstitutional racial gerrymander'
Supreme Court Strikes Down Louisiana's District Map. Voting Rights Law Gets Tested, Again.
What Happened
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana's congressional district map constitutes an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The ruling means Louisiana's House map must be redrawn. This follows years of legal battles over whether the state's map adequately represented its Black population, which makes up roughly 33% of Louisiana's residents.
Historical Context
Redistricting battles are as old as the republic itself — the term "gerrymandering" dates to 1812, named after Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry. The Supreme Court has been wrestling with racial gerrymandering cases for decades: Shaw v. Reno (1993), Miller v. Johnson (1995), and most recently Allen v. Milligan (2023), in which the Court ruled Alabama's map violated the Voting Rights Act. Louisiana's case followed directly from that Alabama precedent. Courts have ordered map redraws many times before — in Texas (2011), North Carolina (2016), and Virginia (2019) — and electoral democracy continued in each case. Maps get redrawn. Elections happen. The cycle repeats.
What's In Your Control
Whether you understand your own congressional district and who represents you. Whether you are registered to vote at your current address. If you live in Louisiana, whether you follow the redrawing process and participate in public comment periods when available.
Does This Require Action?
If you live in Louisiana: moderate awareness — your district lines may change before the next election. Check your voter registration once a new map is adopted. If you live elsewhere: awareness only. This is a significant ruling for voting rights law, but requires nothing from you today.
Sources: NPR
