Supreme Court Upholds Louisiana v. Callais Ruling That Weakens Voting Rights Act

By Sam Barron | Wednesday, 06 May 2026 08:01 PM EDT
The U.S. Supreme Court denied a request from a civil rights plaintiff to recall its decision in Louisiana v. Callais that significantly weakened the Voting Rights Act.
The court denied a motion from Press Robinson and other plaintiffs Wednesday. The decision comes after the court allowed the ruling to take effect ahead of schedule, bolstering Louisiana Republicans as they pursue a new congressional voting map ahead of the November midterm elections.
The action by the justices, though procedural, potentially could undercut challenges to the decision by Louisiana Republicans to delay the state’s congressional primary elections and seek a new electoral map that could be beneficial to Republicans.
Gov. Jeff Landry responded to the court’s ruling by declaring an emergency and announcing he would postpone his state’s congressional primary elections that had been scheduled for May 16.
Lawmakers will meet Friday to begin discussing a new map.
To give the losing side of a decision the chance to ask for a rehearing, the Supreme Court typically waits 32 days before its formal judgment is issued.
Last month, the Supreme Court upheld a lower court ruling that found Louisiana’s map improperly prioritized race over traditional redistricting standards.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais is being hailed by some as a return to a “colorblind Constitution,” while critics warn it could significantly weaken one of the last major tools for protecting minority voting power.
The 6-3 decision did more than strike down Louisiana’s congressional map. It reshapes how courts interpret Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, setting up a new legal battleground over race, politics and redistricting.
Tennessee is forging ahead with a new map that would eliminate the state’s only Democrat-leaning district. South Carolina is also considering redistricting its districts.
Sam Barron has almost two decades of experience covering a wide range of topics including politics, crime and business.