Story perspectives

Supreme Court Narrows Voting Rights Act, Tennessee Erases Black District

6/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais that narrows Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
The ruling requires map challengers to prove districts meet criteria and the state’s partisan objectives.
Days later, Tennessee redrew its congressional map, removing the state’s only Black-majority district.
Analysts say the decision may spur more mid-term map changes.
Civil-rights groups and state lawmakers are urging protective actions before the 2026 elections.

History

Historical Context

On June 25, 2013 the Supreme Court’s 5-4 ruling in Shelby County v. Holder declared Section 4(b) of the 1965 Voting Rights Act unconstitutional, ending pre-clearance for over 1,000 jurisdictions such as Louisiana and Mississippi. The 6-3 Louisiana v. Callais decision now forces challengers to prove partisan intent, prompting Tennessee’s swift redistricting that removed its only Black-majority district and highlighting a continued erosion of voting-rights safeguards.

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Story summary

Supreme Court issued a 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais that narrows Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
The ruling requires map challengers to prove districts meet criteria and the state’s partisan objectives.
Days later, Tennessee redrew its congressional map, removing the state’s only Black-majority district.
Analysts say the decision may spur more mid-term map changes.
Civil-rights groups and state lawmakers are urging protective actions before the 2026 elections.

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