Story perspectives

Supreme Court Allows Partisan Gerrymandering, Narrows Voting Rights Act

4/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

Supreme Court in Louisiana v. Callais held that partisan advantage is a permissible, race-neutral districting criterion, allowing states to discriminate against Black voters.
The Court declared Louisiana’s two Black-majority districts unconstitutional racial gerrymanders, narrowing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote that partisan advantage may be used without violating the Constitution.
The decision restores requirement to prove discriminatory intent, undoing 1982 amendment that permitted effect-based challenges.

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Story summary

Supreme Court in Louisiana v. Callais held that partisan advantage is a permissible, race-neutral districting criterion, allowing states to discriminate against Black voters.
The Court declared Louisiana’s two Black-majority districts unconstitutional racial gerrymanders, narrowing Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
Justice Samuel Alito wrote that partisan advantage may be used without violating the Constitution.
The decision restores requirement to prove discriminatory intent, undoing 1982 amendment that permitted effect-based challenges.