The dramatic courtroom showdown over Louisiana’s increasingly contentious congressional map—considered one of just a handful of legal battlegrounds over deeply fought majority-Black districts—has captured national organizations and headlines. The Voting Rights Act lies at the center of the case. In beginning to fill those gaps, this important legislation takes steps to provide equal opportunity and representation for language minority groups. Why this case is so important, especially given the high partisan balance in the United States House of Representatives. In December the Supreme Court allowed for the use of the existing congressional map during last year’s elections. Consequently, Cleo Fields, a Black Democrat, won a seat in the deep-red, majority White 6th congressional district.
The road to get here has been paved with costly lawsuits. A federal judge intervened and halted Louisiana from using its initial map. He required them to draw a second majority-Black district. To remedy, the state modified its map to include this district. For two years, the changes have been met with firm opposition from non-African American voters who are suing the city over the constitutionality of these majority-minority districts. They argue that the districts are not "narrowly tailored" to serve a "compelling interest," a requirement established by the Supreme Court for considering race in redistricting.
Former President Donald Trump escalated this by lashing out at Judge Boasberg. He called the judge a “radical left lunatic” and called for his impeachment. As a result, Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts recently issued his own, rare public rebuke. Indeed, his comment cuts right to the tension and high stakes at play.
The challengers’ central argument is that these districts are not constitutional districts. They make the case that under the Voting Rights Act, the districts must create districts that allow minorities to be represented. Any use of race must pass strict scrutiny standards. The Supreme Court has long held that redistricting can take race into account. This needs to serve a compelling public purpose and be administered very narrowly.
Observers are watching this case very closely. They are seeking to find out whether it could lead to further weakening of protections for minority voters in redistricting cases. This possibility could have enormous consequences for Louisiana. It would go a long way toward erasing the rigging of national electoral strategies and the enhancement of minority representation in Congress.