SCOTUS just struck another blow to the Voting Rights Act. What it means for California

The Supreme Court on April 29 issued a 6-3 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais that narrows the practical reach of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and could reshape redistricting fights nationwide.

Coverage of the decision says the Court struck down Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district and treated the map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The ruling has immediate implications for states defending minority-majority districts and for future voting-rights challenges.

California is already part of that broader redistricting landscape. State officials say Proposition 50’s congressional maps will be used for the 2026 elections, and the new ruling could create fresh legal pressure around how race can be considered in district drawing and map challenges.

The exact fallout will depend on how lower courts and state officials respond. For now, the decision is one of the most consequential voting-rights rulings in years, with California likely to be among the states watching closely.