Louisiana appeal reveals tension between fair voting rights and racial representation.
Louisiana has found itself repeatedly in the gerrymandering hot seat. Gerrymandering refers to efforts to favor one political party in the drawing of voting district lines, but racial prejudices – or favoritism – also can influence such actions. Louisiana’s effort to carry out judicial demands that it create a second state voting district to ensure black Louisianians are properly represented has been struck down as a violation of the Equal Protection Clause. The Supreme Court on March 24 began hearing arguments to resolve legal tensions in time for states to properly create election districts for 2026 and beyond.
Louisiana’s Unenviable Effort
The state’s torturous gerrymandering trek began with an effort to craft a second…
