Supreme Court strips Voting Rights Act in Louisiana gerrymandering ruling 

The Supreme Court just made a decision that could quietly, but significantly, reshape how Americans vote, especially across the South. And at the center of it is one of the most important civil rights laws in this country: the Voting Rights Act of 1965.  

Here’s what happened.  

In a 6–3 ruling, the court limited how Section 2 of that law can be used. That’s the part that’s been the main tool for challenging maps that dilute the voting power of Black and minority communities.  

This case came out of Louisiana, where lawmakers drew a second majority-Black congressional district after courts said the original map underrepresented Black voters, who make up about a third of the state. That new district helped elect a Black Democrat. But now, the Supreme Court says that map relied too heavily on race.  

For decades, Section 2 has required states to consider race to make sure minority voters aren’t shut out. Now, the court is essentially saying you can’t lean on race too much, even when you’re trying to fix discrimination.  

So what does that actually mean?  

It........

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