Story perspectives

Supreme Court Nullifies Louisiana Map, Warns Voting Rights Act

5/1/2026

Summary

Story summary

Supreme Court, in an opinion by Justice Samuel Alito, struck down Louisiana’s 2024 congressional map as a racial gerrymander and ordered a map.
Court warned Section 2 of Voting Rights Act may become ineffective.
Governor Jeff Landry said it is early to redraw before voting on May 2 and May 16, 2026 primary.
Senator Marsha Blackburn urged Tennessee’s legislature to reconvene.
Analyst Kyle Kondik warned the ruling could spark map challenges through 2028.

History

Historical Context

In 1993 the Supreme Court’s 5-4 Shaw v. Reno ruling declared North Carolina’s oddly shaped 12th district an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, establishing strict-scrutiny review for race-based maps. That precedent spurred challenges in Georgia, Texas, Florida and Louisiana. Today Justice Samuel Alito’s 2024 decision striking Louisiana’s congressional map echoes Shaw’s warning, reviving nationwide redistricting battles.

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Story summary

Supreme Court, in an opinion by Justice Samuel Alito, struck down Louisiana’s 2024 congressional map as a racial gerrymander and ordered a map.
Court warned Section 2 of Voting Rights Act may become ineffective.
Governor Jeff Landry said it is early to redraw before voting on May 2 and May 16, 2026 primary.
Senator Marsha Blackburn urged Tennessee’s legislature to reconvene.
Analyst Kyle Kondik warned the ruling could spark map challenges through 2028.

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