Louisiana Redistricting Racial Gerrymander Supreme Court Case
The U.S. Supreme Court is expected to rule by the end of June 2026 on *Louisiana v. Callais*, a landmark redistricting case challenging Louisiana's creation of a second majority-Black congressional district, with potential nationwide implications for minority voting power and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. As of March 2026, Louisiana lawmakers introduced a "Louisiana Voting Rights Act" to establish state-level protections in response to the anticipated Supreme Court decision. The case originated from a federal court order for Louisiana to draw a second majority-Black district after its original map was found to illegally dilute Black voting power. Oral arguments were heard on October 15, 2025, and a group of voters challenged the redrawn map, alleging it constituted an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
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April 2026 — 1 developments
Louisiana lawmakers introduced a "Louisiana Voting Rights Act" in March 2026 to establish state-leve…
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
The U.S. Supreme Court's decision in the Louisiana v. Callais case, which could significantly weaken…
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.
The Supreme Court is expected to release decisions on February 24 and 25, 2026, in the landmark redistricting case *Louisiana v.
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
An Atlanta town hall was held on January 30, 2026, to discuss the Louisiana v.
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's leadership has indicated a preference to delay its redistricting discussions until the Supreme Court issues a ruling in *Louisiana v.
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.
A group of voters challenged Louisiana's redrawn congressional map, which created a second majority-…
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.
The Supreme Court is anticipated to issue its ruling in the Louisiana v.
The Supreme Court is anticipated to issue its ruling in the Louisiana v. Callais case within the next few months.
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.
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.
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.
In response to the pending U.
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.
The Supreme Court declined to expedite a ruling in the Louisiana redistricting case before the 2026 …
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 a debate titled 'Louisiana v.
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
During arguments heard on October 15, 2025, several Supreme Court justices appeared ready to limit t…
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.
The Supreme Court heard two and a half hours of arguments in the Louisiana Congressional Redistricting case on October 16, 2025.
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
The U.S. Supreme Court broadened the scope of the Louisiana redistricting case, Callais v. Louisiana…
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
The Supreme Court issued an order on June 27, 2025, to reargue Louisiana v.
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.
Months after the initial oral argument, the Supreme Court made the rare decision to hold the case for reargument rather than issue a ruling.
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
The Supreme Court is reviewing *Louisiana v.
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.
The Supreme Court held its first oral arguments in *Louisiana v.
The Supreme Court held its first oral arguments in *Louisiana v. Callais*.
November 2024 — 1 developments
The Supreme Court noted probable jurisdiction in *Louisiana v.
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
The Supreme Court granted an emergency stay, pausing the enforcement of the district court's decisio…
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.
A group of white voters challenged the newly drawn map in a second federal lawsuit, *Louisiana v.
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
A panel of three federal district judges from the Western District of Louisiana ruled in a 2-1 decis…
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.
The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Louisiana's congressional redistricting map was 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.
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.
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'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'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.
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.
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.
A federal district court ruled in favor of the Black voters, finding the 2021 map unconstitutional and issuing an injunction to block its use.
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 and organizations filed lawsuits in the Middle District of Louisiana, challenging the 2…
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.
Following the 2020 United States Census, the Louisiana State Legislature adopted a new congressional…
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.