June 26, 2023
The Supreme Court has taken another significant step in possibly shaking up the balance of power in congress. Today’s ruling may force yet another state to redraw a congressional district map because the Justices suggest the current one is unfair to black voters.
Today’s ruling will apply to the state of Louisiana. Last year a federal court judge ruled a newly-drawn Louisiana congressional map violated the Voting Rights Act and state lawmakers had to redraw it. The lawmakers didn’t and then appealed. The high court stepped in and put a pause on that lower court ruling, allowing the now-deemed unfair map to remain in place during the 2022 midterm election. But today, the justices decided to change course and release their hold on that lower court ruling. Now the case will continue to move forward in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals.
So, what’s the problem with the map? Well it was drawn by the Republican led Louisiana state legislature and — of the six districts in the state — only one was majority Black despite the 2020 Census showing the state’s population in Louisiana is 33% black. Today’s move by the Supreme Court paves the way for another majority-Black district to be added. That potentially means instead of one of six majority black districts, Louisiana could have two majority Black districts by 2024.
Today’s move comes after the court told Alabama lawmakers earlier this month to redraw a congressional district map because it too was unfair to Black voters.
