During the Supreme Court oral argument in Louisiana v. Callais on March 24, 2025, the central issue was whether the congressional map enacted by Louisiana in 2024 appropriately balanced constitutional protections and the requirements of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). The Legal Defense Fund (LDF), represented by Stuart Naifeh, argued that the map should be upheld as it fairly acknowledged the political power of Black Louisianians, who constitute one-third of the state’s population, by creating two majority-Black districts. This was in contrast to a previous map from 2022 deemed likely to violate the VRA by having only one majority-Black district.
The case is pivotal as it will determine the future of Louisiana’s congressional map and set a precedent for redistricting nationwide. The Supreme Court’s decision will hinge on how lawmakers should balance the Equal Protection Clause, which prohibits predominant racial considerations in redistricting without a compelling reason, with VRA obligations to ensure fair representation for Black voters. (Watch on YouTube)
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