Court system

SCOTUS Lets Louisiana Redistricting Ruling Take Effect

Is the court's ruling a victory for equal protection or an attack on Black voting rights?

Published 7 days ago

SCOTUS Lets Louisiana Redistricting Ruling Take Effect

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Above: The marble statue Contemplation of Justice is seen outside the U.S. Supreme Court building on May 4, 2026. Image credit: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

The Spin

Republican narrative

Louisiana's 2024 congressional map was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander, and the Supreme Court was right to strike it down fast. Letting elections proceed under an illegal map would've made a mockery of the rule of law. The best way to end racial discrimination is to stop sorting voters by race altogether, and that's exactly what this ruling demands.

Liz Murrill on X Blaze Media

Jeff Landry on X

Democratic narrative

The court injected itself into an ongoing Louisiana election, fast-tracking a ruling so Republicans can redraw maps mid-race and gut majority-Black districts before 2026. The court has historically used the Purcell doctrine to keep judges out of live elections, but tossed that principle aside the moment it benefited the GOP. Striking down the last meaningful provision of the Voting Rights Act while elections are already underway is a direct attack on Black political power.

John Bisognano on X Common Dreams Democracy Docket