Story perspectives

Supreme Court Limits Voting Rights Act, Strikes Louisiana Map

4/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Supreme Court’s April 29 2026 ruling narrows Section 2 of Voting Rights Act, limiting racial considerations in redistricting.
The Court struck down Louisiana’s 2024 map, deeming its two majority-Black districts unconstitutional.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote that race may be used in mapmaking when an inference of discrimination exists.
Justice Elena Kagan dissented, warning Section 2 is a dead letter and the May 16 2026 primary leaves time to redraw the map.

History

Historical Context

The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson, banned literacy tests and imposed preclearance on 13 states—about 25 % of the electorate. After the 2013 Shelby County v. Holder ruling nullified the coverage formula and the 2021 Brnovich decision narrowed Section 2, Justice Samuel Alito’s April 29 2026 opinion struck down Louisiana’s two majority-Black districts, a step Justice Elena Kagan says completes the Act’s demolition.

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Story summary

U.S. Supreme Court’s April 29 2026 ruling narrows Section 2 of Voting Rights Act, limiting racial considerations in redistricting.
The Court struck down Louisiana’s 2024 map, deeming its two majority-Black districts unconstitutional.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote that race may be used in mapmaking when an inference of discrimination exists.
Justice Elena Kagan dissented, warning Section 2 is a dead letter and the May 16 2026 primary leaves time to redraw the map.

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