Voting Rights Groups Warn of Crisis if Supreme Court Weakens VRA
Democratic-aligned voting rights organizations are warning of a potential crisis if the U.S. Supreme Court moves to weaken a key provision of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). The case, Louisiana v. Callais, heard on October 15, could reshape Section 2 of the law, which bars redistricting plans that dilute the voting power of racial minorities. A new report from Fair Fight Action and the Black Voters Matter Fund projects that striking down or narrowing Section 2 could allow Republican-controlled legislatures to redraw up to 19 congressional districts in their favor, potentially cementing GOP control of the House. Overall, the groups identified 27 seats nationwide at risk of being redrawn to favor Republicans if current legal and political conditions hold. LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund, warned such changes would “clear the path for a one-party system where power serves the powerful and silences the people.”
Republicans have long sought to limit Section 2, arguing it unfairly benefits Democrats by requiring minority-majority districts that often lean Democratic. While Democrats could attempt similar redistricting in heavily Democratic states, experts say the potential gains would be limited compared with the broader advantages Republican legislatures could secure. Under current law, the VRA prevents racial gerrymandering and ensures minority voters have a fair chance to elect preferred candidates.
The Supreme Court’s upcoming ruling could dramatically reshape congressional representation, particularly in Southern states. Democrats could lose ground in Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi, while states like Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, and Florida would likely retain some Democratic representation, but overall numbers would shrink. Voting rights groups are urging Democrats to mount an “aggressive and immediate” counterstrategy as Republicans push nationwide redistricting ahead of the midterms to protect their House majority.
