Supreme Court revives challenge to Louisiana congressional map over Black voting power

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed an appeal over Louisiana's congressional map, sending a dispute over whether the districts diluted Black voting power back to a lower court.

The high court’s decision, announced in a brief order, will allow a federal appeals court in Louisiana to consider the map ahead of next year's election and it could pave the way for a new map to be drawn. The United States Supreme Court is seen on June 26, 2023.

The move was an early sign of fallout from a major Supreme Court decision this month that sided with voters challenging Alabama’s recently redrawn congressional districts under the landmark Voting Rights Act. In that case, a 5-4 majority rejected Alabama’s argument for a “color-blind” approach to mapmaking.

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While it was considering the Alabama case, the Supreme Court had last year placed a hold on a lower court ruling in Louisiana allowing the creation of a second majority-Black district.

The court fight could lead to a new map being drawn in Louisiana that would give Black voters an opportunity to elect a preferred candidate in two of the state's six congressional districts.