Louisiana Redistricting Racial Gerrymander Supreme Court Case
Louisiana declared a prominent federal Congressional redistricting case over on July 14, 2026, after enacting Act 2, which replaced SB8 and eliminated one of the state's two Black-majority voting districts. As of July 14, 2026, the original plaintiffs have filed a motion arguing the case should not yet be dismissed, citing unresolved questions regarding alleged injuries from gerrymandering and the district court's jurisdiction to review Act 2. This action followed the Supreme Court's April 29, 2026, ruling in *Louisiana v. Callais*, which found the state's previous congressional map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, leading to the postponement of U.S. House primary elections to November 3, 2026. Democrats have raised concerns that the revised map constitutes a racial gerrymander disguised as a partisan one.
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July 2026 — 1 developments
Louisiana Redistricting Case Continues as Plaintiffs Challenge Dismissal of New Map
Louisiana declared a prominent federal Congressional redistricting case over after enacting Act 2, which replaced SB8 and eliminated one of the state's two Black-majority voting districts. However, the original plaintiffs have filed a motion arguing that the case should not yet be dismissed, citing unresolved questions regarding alleged injuries from gerrymandering and the district court's jurisdiction to review Act 2.
June 2026 — 1 developments
Louisiana passes new congressional map, postpones primaries after Supreme Court ruling
Louisiana lawmakers passed a new congressional map on May 29, 2026, following the Supreme Court's April 29, 2026 ruling that the previous map was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The new map eliminates one of the state's two majority-Black districts and has led to the postponement of U.S. House primary elections to November 3, 2026. Democrats have raised concerns that the revised map constitutes a racial gerrymander disguised as a partisan one.
May 2026 — 3 developments
Louisiana House passes redistricting plan eliminating majority-Black seat
The Louisiana House has passed a redistricting plan that would eliminate one of the state's two majority-Black congressional seats, following the Supreme Court's April 29, 2026, ruling that the Voting Rights Act does not require additional majority-minority districts. This move could allow Republicans to gain an additional seat.
Senate Hearing Debates Supreme Court's Louisiana Redistricting Ruling
A Senate hearing on May 23, 2026, featured a contentious debate regarding the Supreme Court's April 29, 2026, decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which struck down Louisiana's congressional map and is criticized for weakening the Voting Rights Act. The ruling has spurred redistricting actions in several Southern states, including Tennessee's adoption of a new map on May 7, 2026.
Supreme Court Allows Louisiana Redistricting Ruling to Take Effect Immediately
The Supreme Court allowed its April 29, 2026, ruling in *Louisiana v. Callais* to take effect immediately on May 4, 2026, bypassing the usual 32-day waiting period. This action enables Louisiana to use a new electoral map for upcoming primary elections and postpone its May 16 primary to allow the legislature time to draw a new map. The Court's April 29 decision found the state's congressional map, which included two majority-Black districts, to be an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
April 2026 — 1 developments
Louisiana Lawmakers Introduce State Voting Rights Act Amid Supreme Court Uncertainty
Louisiana lawmakers introduced a "Louisiana Voting Rights Act" in March 2026 to establish state-level voting rights protections, including a commission and a preclearance system for voting rule changes. This action was taken in response to the uncertainty surrounding the Supreme Court's decision in *Louisiana v. Callais*.
February 2026 — 2 developments
U.S. Supreme Court to Rule on Louisiana Redistricting Case by June 2026
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Louisiana v. Callais case, which could significantly weaken or eliminate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, is expected by the end of June 2026. This landmark redistricting case challenges the constitutionality of Louisiana's congressional map and its creation of a second majority-Black district, with potential nationwide implications for minority voting power.
Supreme Court to Rule on Louisiana Redistricting Case Challenging Voting Rights Act
The Supreme Court is expected to release decisions on February 24 and 25, 2026, in the landmark redistricting case *Louisiana v. Callais*. This case challenges Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, examining whether Louisiana's creation of a second majority-Black congressional district, in response to a federal court order, constitutes unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. Oral arguments were heard on October 15, 2025.
January 2026 — 8 developments
Atlanta Town Hall Discusses Louisiana v. Callais Case and Redistricting Impact
An Atlanta town hall was held on January 30, 2026, to discuss the Louisiana v. Callais case and its potential impact on redistricting and minority voting power. Separately, a data hub is collaborating with the Southern Poverty Law Center to train the public on fair redistricting in light of the case.
Florida delays redistricting discussions pending Supreme Court ruling in *Louisiana v. Callais*
Florida's leadership has indicated a preference to delay its redistricting discussions until the Supreme Court issues a ruling in *Louisiana v. Callais*, highlighting the national impact of this case on the Voting Rights Act.
Voters Challenge Louisiana's Redrawn Congressional Map in Supreme Court
A group of voters challenged Louisiana's redrawn congressional map, which created a second majority-Black district, alleging that race was the sole reason for its creation or that it constituted a racial gerrymander. This clarifies the specific legal argument being heard by the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court to Rule on Louisiana v. Callais Case in Coming Months
The Supreme Court is anticipated to issue its ruling in the Louisiana v. Callais case within the next few months.
Federal court ordered Louisiana to create second majority-Black congressional district
A federal court previously found Louisiana's original congressional map illegally diluted Black voting power, ordering the state to draw a second majority-Black district. This order led to the creation of the map now being challenged before the Supreme Court.
Louisiana v. Callais Impacts Black Voting Rights and Voting Rights Act Section 2
Louisiana v. Callais has significant implications for Black voting rights and the future of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, potentially impacting minority representation at all levels of government.
Louisiana Senator Royce Duplessis to introduce state-level Voting Rights Act legislation
In response to the pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling in *Louisiana v. Callais*, an effort is underway in Louisiana to create its own state-level Voting Rights Act. State Senator Royce Duplessis has agreed to introduce the legislation.
Supreme Court declines to expedite Louisiana redistricting case, existing maps to be used
The Supreme Court declined to expedite a ruling in the Louisiana redistricting case before the 2026 midterm elections, which means Louisiana will use its existing maps for those elections.
December 2025 — 1 developments
Vanderbilt Law School hosted debate on Louisiana v. Callais and Voting Rights Act
Vanderbilt Law School hosted a debate titled 'Louisiana v. Callais and the Future of the Voting Rights Act' on December 1, 2025.
October 2025 — 2 developments
Supreme Court justices appear ready to limit Voting Rights Act protections
During arguments heard on October 15, 2025, several Supreme Court justices appeared ready to limit the protections of the Voting Rights Act against racial discrimination in redistricting. This signals a possible weakening of the VRA.
Supreme Court Hears Arguments in Louisiana Congressional Redistricting Case
The Supreme Court heard two and a half hours of arguments in the Louisiana Congressional Redistricting case on October 16, 2025. The central issue is whether the creation of a second majority-minority district violated the U.S. Constitution.
August 2025 — 1 developments
U.S. Supreme Court broadens Louisiana redistricting case to review constitutionality of majority-minority districts
The U.S. Supreme Court broadened the scope of the Louisiana redistricting case, Callais v. Louisiana, to examine whether a state's effort to remedy a Voting Rights Act violation by creating a majority-minority district is constitutional.
June 2025 — 2 developments
Supreme Court Orders Reargument in Louisiana Voting Rights Case
The Supreme Court issued an order on June 27, 2025, to reargue Louisiana v. Callais, consolidating it with Robinson v. Callais. A second set of oral arguments was heard on November 4, 2025, focusing on whether the intentional creation of a second majority-Black district violates the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
Supreme Court Orders Reargument in Louisiana Redistricting Case, Citing 14th and 15th Amendments
Months after the initial oral argument, the Supreme Court made the rare decision to hold the case for reargument rather than issue a ruling. The justices asked parties to provide supplemental briefing on the narrower question of whether Louisiana's intentional creation of a second majority-minority congressional district violated the 14th and 15th Amendments.
March 2025 — 2 developments
Supreme Court Reviews Louisiana Congressional Map, Voting Rights Act Challenge
The Supreme Court is reviewing *Louisiana v. Callais*, a case challenging Louisiana's congressional map and the creation of a second majority-Black district, with oral arguments heard on March 24, 2025, and reargued on October 15, 2025. The case originated after a federal district court found the prior map likely violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. A ruling against Section 2 could significantly weaken or dismantle the act, potentially leading to the elimination of numerous minority-opportunity districts nationwide.
Supreme Court holds first oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais
The Supreme Court held its first oral arguments in *Louisiana v. Callais*.
November 2024 — 1 developments
Supreme Court to Hear Arguments in Louisiana v. Callais
The Supreme Court noted probable jurisdiction in *Louisiana v. Callais* (consolidated with *Robinson v. Callais*), affirming that it would hear oral arguments on the merits of the case.
May 2024 — 2 developments
Supreme Court Pauses Redistricting Decision, Allows 2024 Elections to Proceed
The Supreme Court granted an emergency stay, pausing the enforcement of the district court's decision and allowing the 2024 elections to proceed with the map containing two majority-Black districts.
White Voters File Second Federal Lawsuit Challenging Louisiana's New Black-Majority District
A group of white voters challenged the newly drawn map in a second federal lawsuit, *Louisiana v. Callais*, filed in the Western District of Louisiana, contending that the new Black-majority district was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander under the Fourteenth Amendment.
April 2024 — 3 developments
Federal Judges Block Louisiana Electoral Map, Citing Racial Gerrymandering
A panel of three federal district judges from the Western District of Louisiana ruled in a 2-1 decision that the new map, enacted in January 2024, was racially gerrymandered and blocked its use. The court found that legislators improperly prioritized race when enacting the map.
Supreme Court Rules Louisiana's Redistricting Map an Unconstitutional Racial Gerrymander
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Louisiana's congressional redistricting map was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the majority, stated that compliance with the Voting Rights Act did not require Louisiana to use race as the basis for redistricting. The decision, consolidated with Robinson v. Callais, addressed whether Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act conflicted with the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
Supreme Court expedites Louisiana redistricting after weakening Voting Rights Act
The Supreme Court has expedited the transmission of its decision to lower courts, shortening the usual 32-day waiting period for Louisiana to redraw its congressional map. This action follows a ruling that weakened the Voting Rights Act and allows Louisiana Republicans to redraw the map, potentially leading to more Republican victories. The court ruled 6-3 in *Louisiana v. Callais*.
January 2024 — 3 developments
Louisiana Legislature Rejects Second Majority-Black Congressional District Plan Despite Court Order
Louisiana's Republican-dominated legislature has once again turned down a plan to create a second majority-Black congressional district, despite a court order to do so.
Louisiana Legislature Redraws Congressional Map to Include Second Majority-Black District
In early 2024, the Louisiana legislature redrew the congressional map (Senate Bill 8) to include a second majority-Black congressional district in response to the court order.
Fifth Circuit affirms ruling blocking 2021 map as unconstitutional
A federal district court ruled in favor of the Black voters, finding the 2021 map unconstitutional and issuing an injunction to block its use. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed this ruling.
January 2021 — 2 developments
Black Voters Sue Louisiana Over Alleged Vote Dilution in 2021 Map
Black voters and organizations filed lawsuits in the Middle District of Louisiana, challenging the 2021 map under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), arguing that it diluted the votes of Black citizens.
Louisiana Legislature Adopts New Congressional Map with One Majority-Black District in 2021
Following the 2020 United States Census, the Louisiana State Legislature adopted a new congressional map in 2021, which was largely unchanged from the previous decade and included only one majority-Black district out of six.