The logic of the racist Supreme Court isn’t adding up
The Supreme Court's recent decision in Louisiana v. Callais has invalidated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, enabling more racially skewed gerrymandering. Louisiana, with a 30% Black population, will likely reduce its majority-Black districts from two to one, dropping representation from 33% to 17%. The ruling contradicts both historical efforts to ensure voting equity and basic demographic math.
- ▪The Supreme Court ruled in Louisiana v. Callais that the current district map with two majority-Black districts is unconstitutional, despite Black residents making up 30% of the state's population.
- ▪After the ruling, Louisiana is expected to redraw its map to include only one majority-Black district, reducing Black political representation from 33% to 17% of districts.
- ▪The decision undermines Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which previously allowed for remedies to racial discrimination in voting practices.
- ▪Historically, the U.S. has used mechanisms like the three-fifths compromise and poll taxes to suppress Black political power, which the Voting Rights Act sought to correct.
- ▪Racial disparities in wealth, education, health, and government representation persist, and the ruling exacerbates unequal political influence.
- ▪Black voters in Louisiana and across the South overwhelmingly support Democratic candidates, with around 83% identifying as Democrats.
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PolicyClosePolicyPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All PolicyLawCloseLawPosts from this topic will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All LawThe logic of the racist Supreme Court isn’t adding upThe court’s dismantling of the Voting Rights Act disregards some obvious math.The court’s dismantling of the Voting Rights Act disregards some obvious math.by Sarah JeongCloseSarah JeongFeatures EditorPosts from this author will be added to your daily email digest and your homepage feed.FollowFollowSee All by Sarah JeongApr 30, 2026, 7:52 PM UTCLinkShareGiftIllustration by Cath Virginia / The Verge | Photos via Getty ImagesSarah JeongCloseSarah JeongPosts from this author will be added to…
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