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On The Docket: Equal Representation In Louisiana

Volume 1: How We Got Here

John:

A redistricting case is once again before the U.S. Supreme Court — because anti-democratic special interests are still determined to gerrymander at the expense of American citizens.

The case is called Louisiana v. Callais. It’s about a new electoral map that has finally led to fair congressional representation for Black Louisianans. And it touches on just about every aspect of our work.

Between now and oral argument on March 24, you’ll hear more from us about the backstory of this legal fight, what it means for voters, and how our fair maps movement continues to fight for equal representation in Louisiana and across the country.

To kick things off, this email is Volume 1 — a breakdown of the crucial facts at hand.

How this case got started

Black voters in Louisiana are about one-third of the state’s population. But before the current congressional map was in place, Black voters could only elect a candidate of their choice in one of the state’s six congressional districts.

That was a textbook violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), which protects our democratic process against racial discrimination. So in 2022, our affiliate, the National Redistricting Foundation, supported a tenacious group of Louisiana voters who challenged the unfair map in court. The case was ultimately successful and directly led to a more representative map that includes two districts where Black voters have a meaningful opportunity to elect candidates of their choice – what are called ‘Black opportunity districts.’

The ongoing fight

However, shortly after the new, VRA-compliant map went into effect, one of the most ideologically-driven federal courts in the country struck it down — ignoring recent precedent that affirmed the enforcement of Section 2, including the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 decision in Allen v. Milligan.

Louisiana voters then took their case to the Supreme Court. They asked the justices to block the decision striking down the new, fair map and to instead keep the VRA-compliant map in place for the 2024 elections while the case was appealed. The Supreme Court did so.

What happens next

On March 24, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in the case. Their ruling will not only determine the future of Louisiana’s VRA-compliant congressional map, but also could impact the future of critical VRA protections.

The justices should have an easy decision to make. The Supreme Court has a duty to uphold its own precedent and protect voters’ rights to equal representation as enshrined in the Voting Rights Act. That would mean protecting the voting rights of Black Louisianans — by permanently reinstating Louisiana’s VRA-compliant congressional map.

For far too long, Black Louisianians have been denied their rightful representation at the ballot box. That’s why our affiliate has supported a courageous group of Louisianans in asking the Supreme Court to protect voters' rights to equal representation as enshrined in the VRA.

Leading up to oral argument, different members of the All On The Line team will send you additional emails about this case. They’ll lay out the background, the stakes, and what comes next in our ongoing fight for fair maps.

Right now, this team is pressing forward on all fronts to ensure equal representation across the country and make sure voters know what is at stake. Can we count on you to support All On The Line and fight back against gerrymandering across the country by making a contribution today? → [link removed]

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Thank you,
Marina

Marina Jenkins
Executive Director, All On The Line











All On The Line [[link removed]] is the grassroots advocacy campaign supported by the National Redistricting Action Fund. Support our work to end gerrymandering.

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