Story perspectives

SCOTUS Strikes Section 2, Florida Redraws Black District

5/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Supreme Court on April 29, 2026 invalidated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, allowing states to redraw districts without race considerations.
Republican officials in Florida approved map that alters a Black district after ruling, prompting Congresswoman Yvette Clarke to say decision opens door to an attack on Black voters.
Representative Troy Carter called the decision a devastating blow to democracy and warned it could dismantle districts in Louisiana.

History

Historical Context

The 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision struck down Section 4(b)’s coverage formula, freeing 197 jurisdictions and leading to 1,000 new district maps in two years. On April 29 2026, the Court’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling declared Section 2’s majority-minority districts unconstitutional, prompting Ron DeSantis and Louisiana lawmakers to redraw maps that endanger Black-majority seats. Rep. Yvette Clarke and Rep. Troy Carter warn move could reverse decades voting-rights gains.

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Story summary

The U.S. Supreme Court on April 29, 2026 invalidated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, allowing states to redraw districts without race considerations.
Republican officials in Florida approved map that alters a Black district after ruling, prompting Congresswoman Yvette Clarke to say decision opens door to an attack on Black voters.
Representative Troy Carter called the decision a devastating blow to democracy and warned it could dismantle districts in Louisiana.

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