WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed Louisiana’s appeal seeking to prevent the state’s congressional redrawing over claims it illegally dilutes the influence of black voters.
The move through a brief unsigned order was expected after the Supreme Court ruling on June 8. that reinforced a key part of the landmark Voting Rights Act in a similar case involving electoral districts in Alabama.
The court order noted that the case must be resolved in lower courts “prior to the 2024 Louisiana midterm elections.”
The case will now move forward in the New Orleans-based US Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
“Our job is to uphold what the legislature has passed, and we trust the Fifth Circuit will review the merits in accordance with the law,” Louisiana Assistant Attorney General Angelique Freel said in a statement.
The Supreme Court ruling in the Alabama case could lead to a new map being drawn in Louisiana in which black voters would have the chance to choose their preferred representative in two of the state’s six congressional districts instead of one. .
“Fortunately, Louisiana is now on track to add an additional minority opportunity district in time for 2024,” said Abha Khanna, an attorney representing the plaintiffs in the case.
In the Alabama case, the Supreme Court unexpectedly upheld a lower court ruling that said the Republican-drawn map of that state discriminated against black voters by making it more difficult for them to vote for the candidates of their choice.
In June 2022, the Supreme Court, following an approach similar to its handling of the Alabama case, allowed Republicans to use their preferred map that a judge had struck down for violating the Voting Rights Act.
Using the new map, Republicans won five of six districts in the November midterm elections.
The Louisiana case had been on hold in the Supreme Court pending the outcome of the Alabama case.
It is one of several cases likely to be directly affected by the Alabama ruling. Since black voters are generally more likely to vote for Democratic candidates, the ruling is likely to be a boon for Democrats seeking control of the House of Representatives.
