The United States Supreme Court ruled on Apr. 29 in favor of the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office in the case of Louisiana v. Callais, declaring that a map creating a second majority-Black district was unconstitutional.
This decision is significant for voting rights and how states consider race when drawing electoral maps. The ruling determined that federal courts had overstepped by requiring Louisiana to draw a second majority-minority district, impacting future redistricting cases across the country.
Attorney General Liz Murrill said, “We win in Louisiana v. Callais! The Supreme Court has ended Louisiana’s long-running nightmare of federal courts coercing the state to draw a racially discriminatory map. That was always unconstitutional—and this is a seismic decision reaffirming equal protection under our nation’s laws. I vigorously defended our first map and said then that the only way to draw a second majority-minority district was to expressly take race into account. We raised our objections at that time to racial gerrymandering, but the district court and the Fifth Circuit directed us to draw the map anyway. It is gratifying that the Supreme Court has finally vindicated our original position and, in doing so, clarified that only under very narrow circumstances—where there is proof of intentional discrimination—may race be used as a remedy under Section 2. It is frustrating that this has taken five years, millions of dollars, and many lost hours to get here. I will continue to work with the Governor and the Legislature to provide guidance as we move forward to adopt a constitutionally compliant map.”
The opinion can be read online for those seeking further details about this case.
The Louisiana Supreme Court advances access to justice initiatives throughout its judicial administration according to its official website. The court also maintains judicial integrity while fostering public trust among citizens according to its official website. Operating with seven elected justices led by a Chief Justice according to its official website, it serves communities across all parts of Louisiana according to its official website.
Additionally, it provides general administrative oversight for all courts within Louisiana’s unified judicial system according to its official website and supports collaborative efforts addressing societal issues such as truancy according to its official website. As the highest appellate court in Louisiana since being established in 1813 for its first session, it oversees appeals and ensures high standards among judges and attorneys statewide according to its official website.
