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Next SCOTUS Decision Day Tuesday, 04/22
Community advocates in Louisiana v. Callais represent Black voters across the state who have been fighting for fair representation for years. Their voices and votes matter.
Community advocates in Louisiana v. Callais represent Black voters across the state who have been fighting for fair representation for years. Their voices and votes matter.
The Louisiana v. Callais case is a legal challenge concerning the state’s congressional redistricting map and its compliance with the Voting Rights Act (VRA). Following the 2020 Census, Louisiana lawmakers were ordered to create a second majority-Black congressional district to ensure fair representation for Black voters, who make up nearly one-third of the state’s population. However, after the legislature passed a revised map with two majority-Black districts, a group of white voters filed a lawsuit, arguing that the map constituted unconstitutional racial gerrymandering.
In April 2024, a federal three-judge panel ruled in favor of the plaintiffs, stating that race was the predominant factor in the redistricting process, violating the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This decision challenges the balance between ensuring fair representation for Black voters under the VRA and avoiding racial gerrymandering claims. The case is expected to have significant implications for redistricting efforts nationwide, as courts determine how states can legally consider race in drawing electoral districts.
Timeline
Timeline
2021
2021
September 2021
Louisiana begins redistricting hearings following the 2020 Census, which shows the state is nearly one-third Black.
2022
2022
February 2022
Louisiana Legislature passes a congressional map with only one majority-Black district out of six.
March 2022
The governor vetoes the map, but the Legislature overrides the veto.
Black voters and civil rights organizations file a lawsuit (Robinson v. Landry), arguing the map violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
June 2022
A federal court finds the map likely violates the Voting Rights Act and orders a new map, but the case is paused.
2023
2023
November 2023
A federal appeals court clears the way for Louisiana to redraw its congressional map for the 2024 elections.
2024
2024
January 2024
Louisiana passes a new congressional map with a second majority-Black district.
January 2024 (shortly after)
A group of plaintiffs files a new lawsuit (Callais v. Landry), arguing the map is unconstitutional because it considers race.
April 2024
A federal court strikes down the new map.
May 15, 2024
The Supreme Court pauses that decision, allowing the map with two majority-Black districts to be used for the 2024 elections.
November 2024
The Supreme Court agrees to hear the case (Louisiana v. Callais).
2025
2025
March 24, 2025
The Supreme Court hears oral arguments in the case.
June 2025
Instead of issuing a decision, the Court orders the case to be reargued, signaling deeper questions about the issues at stake.
August 2025
The Court asks for additional briefing on whether creating a majority-Black district violates the Constitution.
October 15, 2025
The Supreme Court rehears the case, focusing on whether Section 2 can be used to create districts that account for race.
2026
2026
(Decision Pending)
A final ruling is expected, which will determine how voting rights protections, particularly Section 2, apply to redistricting moving forward.
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