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A Supreme Fight Over Voting Rights

October 20, 2025

Janai Nelson, President of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, presented arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court to preserve Section 2 of the 1965 Voting Rights Act in the Louisiana v Callais case. At issue is whether creating a second majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana constitutes unconstitutional racial gerrymandering, with opponents claiming it violates the 14th and 15th Amendments. Civil rights experts, including Spencer Overton and Mary Frances Berry, observed that Nelson faced significant challenges from six justices while defending a doctrine that "has been working for 40 years.

Who is affected

  • Black voters in Louisiana
  • Approximately 20 members of the Congressional Black Caucus
  • Lawmakers representing Hispanic districts
  • Republican and Democratic political power balance in Congress
  • Residents of Louisiana's congressional districts
  • Civil rights organizations

What action is being taken

  • Janai Nelson is arguing before the Supreme Court to defend Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act
  • The Supreme Court is reviewing the constitutionality of Louisiana's redistricting map with a second majority-Black district
  • Civil rights organizations are advocating for the preservation of the Voting Rights Act protections
  • Eric Holder is publicly supporting the protection of voting rights through written statements

Why it matters

  • The case could further weaken the landmark 1965 Voting Rights Act following the 2013 Shelby v. Holder decision
  • The outcome may determine whether states can create majority-minority districts to ensure representation
  • A ruling against Section 2 could have a "crippling effect" on the 2026 midterm elections
  • The decision could potentially help Republicans "stay in power for the foreseeable future" according to Mary Frances Berry
  • The case represents what Eric Holder calls "the greatest attack on the right to vote since Jim Crow"

What's next

  • The Supreme Court is expected to issue its decision on redistricting in Louisiana in January or February 2024, giving states time to make changes before the 2026 elections.

Read full article from source: The San Diego Voice & Viewpoint

A Supreme Fight Over Voting Rights