Supreme Court ends racial stereotype gerrymandering
After arguments regarding the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in Louisiana v. Callais last October, I wrote the likely holding striking racially gerrymandered voting districts would affect the West.
TL;DR
- The Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais has raised questions about the constitutionality of racially gerrymandered voting districts.
- Justice Alito's opinion suggests that enforcing the Voting Rights Act by mandating race-based districts is questionable, as it deviates from the Constitution's principle of equality.
- The VRA previously escaped 'strict scrutiny' review, but Alito argues that it should not be an exception to the constitutional rule against racial discrimination.
- The ruling could affect numerous majority-black and majority-Hispanic state legislative districts across the country.
- State officials, including Wyoming's Secretary of State and the Assistant Attorney General for the Civil Rights Division, have indicated they will enforce the court's ruling nationwide.