politics
Supreme Court Ruling and State Court Decision Alter Redistricting Maps Ahead of Midterms
The Supreme Court issued a decision weakening parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in the Louisiana v. Callais case. Louisiana suspended its House primary elections to redraw its congressional map. A Virginia Supreme Court ruling blocked a voter-approved redistricting amendment, leaving the state's delegation at a 6-5 split.
May 9, 11:54 AM·2m read1 source
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Republicans have secured several recent redistricting decisions that could affect the balance of power in the House of Representatives following the midterm elections this fall. The Supreme Court ruled late last month in the Louisiana v. Callais case, striking down race-based gerrymandering by weakening the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
Shortly after the ruling, Louisiana suspended its House primary elections to redraw its congressional map. The decision also encouraged redistricting activity in other states. Tennessee and Florida moved forward with their own redistricting plans following the Supreme Court action.
On Friday, the Virginia Supreme Court ruled that a voter-approved redistricting amendment was unconstitutional. As a result, the existing 6-5 split will remain in place through the midterm elections and for the rest of the decade. Estimates suggest the combined effect of these redistricting changes could produce a net gain of between five and 14 seats for Republicans, according to the Cook Political Report.
Democrats could net as many as six seats from their own redistricting efforts.
A new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll measured enthusiasm levels ahead of the midterms. In the survey, 53 percent of Republicans and 47 percent of Trump supporters described themselves as "very enthusiastic" about voting. By comparison, 61 percent of Democrats and voters for former Vice President Kamala Harris reported the same level of enthusiasm.
Polls also show overall approval ratings at 37 percent with 59 percent disapproval. Economic approval stood at 35 percent and approval on Iran policy was measured at 33 percent. A separate Economist/YouGov poll reported 36 percent approval and 58 percent disapproval.
