The U.S. Supreme Court today struck down Louisiana’s congressional map and substantially rewrote Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, undermining protections against race discrimination.
Michael Waldman, president and CEO of the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law, had the following reaction:
“This decision is a devastating setback in the long fight for equality in political representation for all Americans. By undermining the Voting Rights Act, the Roberts Court has dismantled the ability of voters of color to have a fair chance for representation in government. It demands an immediate congressional response.
“The Court blessed race discrimination and encouraged partisan gerrymandering. Congress has an urgent obligation to act.
“With this ruling, the Court has completed its decades-long work to effectively demolish the Voting Rights Act. Today’s ruling likely leaves this landmark law a hollow husk. The Court’s majority claims to have left Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act standing, but it in fact will encourage less transparent and less representative districts. This ruling allows racial discrimination if it also serves overtly hyperpartisan interests. That’s outrageous.
“The Roberts Court has acted egregiously today. Congress has a duty to respond. It must ban gerrymandering in congressional races, immediately. It should restore and strengthen protections against racial discrimination in voting. And today’s ruling makes clear the need for reform of the Supreme Court, starting with term limits.”
