Welcome back to Redistricting Watch, where we break down exactly what’s happening inside statehouses across the country as state legislators redraw electoral districts and work to consolidate power outside of the normal redistricting cycle.
Since the Supreme Court’s April 29 ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, a case concerning the constitutionality of Louisiana’s congressional map and the rights of Black voters across the country to access fair representation in elections, a lot has changed.
The Callais decision struck down Louisiana’s map that gave historic representation to Black Louisianians by providing two majority-Black districts. These districts gave Black voters and other voters of color the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice. Furthermore, the court’s decision eviscerated one of the country’s most sacred civil rights protections, Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA).
The ruling was a devastating blow, as it now permits states to use partisan gerrymandering as a wholesale excuse to deny Black voters a voice in their government. In other words, under the Supreme Court’s new view of Section 2, a state can, without legal consequence, systematically dilute minority citizens’ voting power. And now, in Callais’ wake, we are already witnessing fair districts across the country vanish as legislatures aim to gut representation for voters of color without checkpoints from the courts.
Need a refresher on why congressional redistricting is so important to your daily life? Here’s a quick catch-up.
Redistricting is the process by which state legislatures or other redistricting bodies redraw the boundaries of electoral districts. Redistricting typically coincides with the release of the U.S. census results, which occurs every 10 years at the beginning of each decade. But, right now, some state legislatures are redrawing congressional maps mid-decade — an unusual occurrence. This is called off-cycle redistricting, and it is not normal.
What’s troubling about the off-cycle redistricting happening right now is that legislators are sometimes using the pretext of partisanship to lock in power at the expense of Black voters and other voters of color, which the Constitution forbids. Politicians should not be selecting voters. Voters should choose politicians.
Rules about how voting maps are drawn can impact every part of your life. When courts rule in favor of fair maps, fair access and representation become the standard. Fair maps mean having a say in lower prices at the store, better schools, safer streets, accessible health care, and so much more.
LDF is closely tracking additional redistricting developments as legislatures draw, defend, and enact new maps that will affect Black communities in countless ways. Below are state-by-state redistricting updates since our last issue of Redistricting Watch, published on May 14.
Alabama: 2023 DISCRIMINATORY MAP BLOCKED BY DISTRICT COURT
On May 11, the Supreme Court vacated the court-ordered congressional map won by LDF’s case, Milligan v. Allen, that had two Black opportunity districts. Rather than rule on the case, the Supreme Court returned it to the district court to reexamine its prior decision in light of the Callais ruling. Alabama then moved to enact a 2023 map that was previously ruled as discriminatory.
In response to the Supreme Court’s actions, the Milligan plaintiffs immediately filed for a temporary restraining order, and then a preliminary injunction, to keep the current court-ordered map in place for 2026.
On May 26, the district court again blocked Alabama from using the 2023 congressional map that it found was “tainted by intentional race-based discrimination.” The order reinstates the court-ordered map that has two Black opportunity districts, which Alabama used in the 2024 elections and the May 2026 primary elections.
Alabama state officials have appealed the order to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Alabama’s map has seven congressional districts.
Over 1.3 million Black people reside in Alabama.
South Carolina: NEW MAP BLOCKED BY LEGISLATURE (AGAIN)
In another redistricting twist, state senators voted down a bill that would put a new congressional map into place for the 2026 elections, adjourning the special legislative session as early voting began.
The failed redistricting plan targeted the state’s only historically Black district, represented by long-serving Representative James Clyburn.
South Carolina lawmakers previously blocked a proposal to pave the way for 2026 redistricting before South Carolina’s governor ordered a special legislative session.
South Carolina’s current map has seven congressional districts.
Over 1.4 million Black people reside in South Carolina, nearly 25% of the state’s population.
Louisiana: NEW MAP PASSED
A new map that eliminates a majority-Black congressional district passed out of the Louisiana legislature today. The map now goes to the Louisiana governor to sign and enact.
This map is similar to Louisiana’s 2022 voting map, which was found to violate the Voting Rights Act.
The Callais ruling struck down Louisiana’s previous congressional map. In a ripple effect, Louisiana’s primary election for the U.S. House of Representatives — originally slated for May 16 — was rescheduled for Nov. 3, where all candidates, regardless of party, will appear on the ballot.
Thousands of ballots were already returned for the original primary election, and several civil rights organizations have challenged the state’s decision to throw them all out.
Louisiana’s current map has six congressional districts.
Over 1.4 million Black people reside in Louisiana, nearly one-third of the state’s population.
Virginia: MAP APPEAL DENIED BY SUPREME COURT
The U.S. Supreme Court declined to intervene in Virginia’s efforts to redistrict, after a state Supreme Court decision blocking Virginia’s new map was appealed. The 2026 elections will proceed with Virginia’s previous district map.
Virginia voters approved the state legislature’s redistricting plan in an April special election. However, the Virginia Supreme Court struck down the voter-approved map on May 8 based on a procedural technicality — not anything to do with the map’s composition.
Virginia’s current map has 11 congressional districts.
Over 1.7 million Black people reside in Virginia, making up 20% of the population.
Keep an Eye On:
In GEORGIA and MISSISSIPPI, there will be special sessions in June and next year, respectively, to consider redistricting. Notably, these special sessions will focus on redistricting plans for the 2028 elections and will not affect the maps currently in use for the 2026 midterms. Over 3.7 million Black people reside in Georgia, around one-third of the state’s population. Over 1.1 million Black people reside in Mississippi, also comprising over one-third of the state’s population.
In FLORIDA and TENNESSEE, civil and voting rights groups have already filed court challenges to newly enacted discriminatory maps. In Tennessee, one challenge was dismissed earlier this week, while three federal court challenges remain. Similarly, in Florida, three state court challenges to the newly drawn congressional map are underway. And this past week, a state judge ruled that the new map will stay in place for elections as the lawsuits continue.
In MARYLAND, the state Senate president has signaled a shift in his stance on redistricting. After the Callais ruling and moves from other states to redistrict during ongoing elections, he indicated that he’s more open to adopting a new congressional map. Previously, during the spring legislative session, he stalled and eventually blocked a new map from passing.
How Can You Get Involved
As these redistricting updates demonstrate, state legislatures are already rapidly moving to pass discriminatory maps post-Callais, so it’s more critical than ever to protect voting rights. The Supreme Court’s sustained attack on the VRA demands that people stand together to defend the right to vote, build community power, and continue the work generations before them began.
Ahead of any election, you should: make sure you’re registered to vote; create a voting plan with friends and family, find your polling place, know what forms of ID are required at the polls in your state; vote early, if you’re able; and research what’s on your ballot. There are local, state, and federal elections happening across the country.
And if you’re interested in getting more involved, you can sign up to become an election worker or a nonpartisan volunteer, encourage your workplace to make Election Day a paid holiday, or organize child care for your community so everyone can vote.
And remember to save and share the number for the National Election Protection Hotline (866-OUR-VOTE). You can call the hotline with voting questions or to report issues with voting access.
Previous Updates
All states featured here have undergone redistricting updates since our May 14 issue of Redistricting Watch. For information from previous issues, please check out the Redistricting Watch tab on LDF’s Substack page.
On the Horizon
LDF will continue to track updates as other states hurry through redistricting efforts. Lawmakers are continuing to discuss holding special legislative sessions to determine the future of their congressional maps or proposing redistricting measures during current state legislative sessions.
Follow along in the next issue of Redistricting Watch as we update you on redistricting as it happens. In the meantime, for more information about redistricting, please visit LDF’s Redistricting page.
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