Story perspectives

GOP Maps Spark Racial Gerrymander Lawsuits Across States

4/30/2026

Left

Trump Map Controversy

Civil-rights advocates say the Texas map, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, curtails Black and people of colour’s voting power.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, finding it a racial gerrymander.
Virginia voters approved amendment for a 10-1 congressional map could add four seats by 2026.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed a map increasing Republican seats to 24-4, to face lawsuits.

Right

Alito Weakens Voting

Justice Samuel Alito said Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act does not require majority-Black districts.
The U.S. Supreme Court issued three rulings this week that limited challenges to partisan redistricting maps nationwide.
NAACP lawyer Janai Nelson warned overturning Louisiana map could plunge district lines nationwide into chaos.
Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund estimate weakening Act could shift twelve seats Republican.

History

Historical Context

In August 1965 President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act, which imposed Section 5 preclearance on about 100 Southern jurisdictions—including Texas and Louisiana—affecting roughly 2.5 million voters. The 2013 Shelby County v. Holder ruling struck the coverage formula, and a 2024 Justice Samuel Alito opinion further removed preclearance, allowing Texas and Florida to redraw maps that could shift at least twelve House seats to Republicans.

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Trump Map Controversy

Civil-rights advocates say the Texas map, backed by U.S. President Donald Trump, curtails Black and people of colour’s voting power.
The U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, finding it a racial gerrymander.
Virginia voters approved amendment for a 10-1 congressional map could add four seats by 2026.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis proposed a map increasing Republican seats to 24-4, to face lawsuits.

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