Supreme Court rules on key Voting Rights Act rule as Republicans and Democrats wage redistricting war

The Supreme Court on Wednesday limited the scope of a key Voting Rights Act provision that restricts how states draw districts affecting minority voters, constraining states' use of race as a factor when drawing congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms.

Justices ruled 6-3 that Louisiana's 2024 congressional map, which was redrawn to create a second majority-Black district, constituted an "illegal" racial gerrymander. The court's decision sharply narrows states' use of race as a factor when drawing their congressional districts, effectively watering down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in question designed to protect minority voters.

Compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, "as properly construed, can provide such a reason," Justice Samuel Alito said, writing for the majority...