April 29, 2026 was one of the worst days for American democracy. Over 60 years of voting rights dismantled and dismissed.
While majority-Black districts have historically been the primary vehicle for Black representation, most Black members of Congress now represent districts where Black voters are not the majority.
Watch out. After the conservative majority in the US Supreme Court’s destruction of the Voting Rights Act, Republicans are wasting no time in trying to wrest away Congressional districts from Black voters.
On April 29, the Supreme Court 6-3 decision in Louisiana v. Callais significantly weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA), limiting the use of race in creating majority-minority districts.
“For decades, the Voting Rights Act has helped ensure that communities of color have a fair opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote. The Supreme Court “decision weakens one of the most important remaining safeguards against discrimination in our electoral system and threatens the progress that so many communities have fought hard to achieve. Today’s decision will make it easier for politicians to draw voting districts that let them choose their voters rather than empowering voters to choose their elected officials. ”
As of early 2025, In the 119th Congress there is a record number of 67 Black lawmakers serving in the 119th Congress, according to Spectrum News. This total includes 62 Democrats and five Republicans, with 62 serving in the House of Representatives and five in the Senate, marking the highest representation in US history.
Currently, here are 15 congressional districts where Black voters make up a majority of the voting-age population. Each of these districts is currently represented by a Black Democrat.
According to an analysis by Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter, the Callais ruling could eventually lead to a redistricting wave down in Dixie that could help Republicans flip as many as 19 majority-minority seats currently held by Democrats.
Currently, here are 15 congressional districts where Black voters make up a majority of the voting-age population. Each of these districts is currently represented by a Black Democrat.
According to an analysis by Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter, the Callais ruling could eventually lead to a redistricting wave down in Dixie that could help Republicans flip as many as 19 majority-minority seats currently held by Democrats.
While majority-Black districts have historically been the primary vehicle for Black representation, most Black members of Congress now represent districts where Black voters are not the majority.
Although the main target was Black majority districts in the South, the SCOTUS ruling could also be used against Asian Americans or Latinos not only for Congressional districts but also local jurisdictions like school districts, cities and counties.
The districts which are vulnerable under the SCOTUS ruling could be gerrymandered GOP controlled states in order to maintain their control of Congress. Because of Donald Trump's record-breaking unpopularity due to his dismal economic record, his harsh immigration policies, rising healthcare costs and his war against Iran.
According to Democracy Docket, while SCOTUS said redistricting based on race was illegal, political gerrymandering is OK. The GOP is celebrating and wasting no time in implementing the court's astonishing decision.
According to Democracy Docket, while SCOTUS said redistricting based on race was illegal, political gerrymandering is OK. The GOP is celebrating and wasting no time in implementing the court's astonishing decision.
- Alabama: Gov. Kay Ivey (R) called a special session to reinstate the state’s old gerrymander before the midterms — pending a greenlight from SCOTUS.
- Louisiana: The state successfully suspended its US House primaries. There are already three lawsuits against the state for halting its active election and nullifying votes.
- Tennessee: In a move that may eliminate its one blue congressional seat and disenfranchise Black voters, Tennessee is now seeking to redistrict mid-cycle.
- South Carolina: Lawmakers and the state GOP have urged the governor to call for a special session to mid-cycle redistrict.
- Georgia: The governor has said he won’t call a special session to redraw for 2026, but as we saw after Alabama’s 180, that could change.
- Florida: We’re waiting for Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to sign the recently passed gerrymandered map.
- Virginia: The Republican National Committee is appealing its loss in a third challenge to Virginia's 10-1 congressional map approved by voters last month.
There is a justifiable fear is that the SCOTUS decision will have a trickle down effect and affect local legislative districts in the states and our AANHPI communities that have only recently been able to elect representatives that reflect them.
“When the Voting Rights Act is undermined, Black voters are harmed first. But the damage won’t stop there. The Supreme Court has gutted one of the last protections we have against racial discrimination in our democracy. It puts the political power of Asian Americans and communities of color at risk," said Asian Law Caucus' Executive Director Aarti Kohli.
"It leaves communities of color with fewer enforceable protections against unfair maps — and not just for Congress, but in state and local elections across the country. We stand with Black and Brown voters from Louisiana to every state where maps could now be redrawn to limit their voice," Kohli continued.
“The same protections that safeguard the voice of Black voters are the same ones that protect Asian Americans, immigrants, and language-minority communities. This decision is not isolated. It is the latest in a sustained assault on the right of communities of color to participate fully in our democracy. We will not let our rights be taken without a fight — in the courts, in our legislatures, and at the ballot box, together.”
“When the Voting Rights Act is undermined, Black voters are harmed first. But the damage won’t stop there. The Supreme Court has gutted one of the last protections we have against racial discrimination in our democracy. It puts the political power of Asian Americans and communities of color at risk," said Asian Law Caucus' Executive Director Aarti Kohli.
"It leaves communities of color with fewer enforceable protections against unfair maps — and not just for Congress, but in state and local elections across the country. We stand with Black and Brown voters from Louisiana to every state where maps could now be redrawn to limit their voice," Kohli continued.
“The same protections that safeguard the voice of Black voters are the same ones that protect Asian Americans, immigrants, and language-minority communities. This decision is not isolated. It is the latest in a sustained assault on the right of communities of color to participate fully in our democracy. We will not let our rights be taken without a fight — in the courts, in our legislatures, and at the ballot box, together.”
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