Supreme Court Rules Against Race-Based Voting Districts in Louisiana Case

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that a Louisiana voting district drawn along racial lines violates the Constitution. Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority opinion after oral arguments last October in Louisiana v. Callais. The decision addressed the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and its application to district lines.

Alito stated that the law imposes liability only where evidence shows a state intentionally drew districts to give minority voters less opportunity because of their race.

Gray advised Fremont County that its court-ordered racially gerrymandered commissioner district violates the Constitution. Gray acted after the Supreme Court issued its opinion. The county had adopted the district following an ACLU lawsuit and a federal court order. Voters in Fremont County had elected the county's first American Indian commissioner under the prior at-large system.

General for the Civil Rights Division

Harmeet Dhillon responded to a post from Sen. Eric Schmitt urging nationwide enforcement of the ruling. Dhillon stated that the division is addressing the issue. Redistricting expert John B. Morgan said the decision could affect over 400 majority-Black and over 200 majority-Hispanic state legislative districts. The ruling may prompt reviews of similar districts in Montana, North Dakota, and Utah.