Story perspectives

Supreme Court Orders Louisiana to Redraw Racial Gerrymander Map

4/29/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Louisiana must redraw its congressional map, an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
Chief Justice John Roberts called the district a “snake” from Shreveport to Baton Rouge.
Justice Elena Kagan dissented, saying the decision could let states dilute voting power and undermines the Voting Rights Act.
Governor Tate Reeves called a session to redraw his state’s districts, warning the ruling could jeopardize dozens of Democratic seats.

History

Historical Context

The 1993 Supreme Court decision in Shaw v. Reno, a 5-4 ruling authored by Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, applied strict scrutiny to race-based districts after North Carolina’s snake-shaped 12th district violated the Fourteenth Amendment. That precedent guided the 2024 6-3 ruling by Chief Justice John Roberts ordering Louisiana to redraw its map, prompting Governor Tate Reeves to address Voting Rights Act reforms.

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Story summary

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that Louisiana must redraw its congressional map, an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
Chief Justice John Roberts called the district a “snake” from Shreveport to Baton Rouge.
Justice Elena Kagan dissented, saying the decision could let states dilute voting power and undermines the Voting Rights Act.
Governor Tate Reeves called a session to redraw his state’s districts, warning the ruling could jeopardize dozens of Democratic seats.

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