The Voting Rights Act Is Again Under Attack

Why the Voting Rights Act anniversary matters: Section 2 and redistricting explained

On its 60th anniversary, the Voting Rights Act is at a legal crossroads. This episode breaks down how a Louisiana redistricting dispute could force the Supreme Court to reconsider Section 2 protections that have allowed courts to require majority-minority districts in states with racially polarized voting.

How past rulings shaped voter protections

Host Jane Coaston and UCLA election-law expert Rick Hassan trace the arc from pre-clearance protections to the 2013 Shelby County decision that gutted federal oversight. They explain how Section 2 evolved after City of Mobile and Jingles v. Thornburg into a tool courts use to remedy racial vote dilution.

What the Louisiana case could change: "Section 2" and race-conscious districting

The central legal question introduced by the Supreme Court’s recent order is whether race-conscious districting to comply with Section 2 now violates the Equal Protection Clause. If the Court decides Section 2 can’t justify race-conscious maps, the practical power of the Voting Rights Act could be drastically reduced or rendered ineffective.

Practical consequences and the stakes for democracy

• Striking down or neutering Section 2 would make it harder to create congressional districts that let minority communities elect representatives of choice.
• Without pre-clearance and a robust Section 2, states could enact redistricting plans that further entrench one-party advantage.

Next steps: legal timelines and civic responses

The Court has asked for reargument, signaling a major decision next term. Hassan warns the outcome could produce a renewed civil rights movement, legislative fixes, or even constitutional amendments if voters and advocates mobilize.

Other headlines covered in the episode

• President Trump’s executive order creating the official 2028 Los Angeles Olympics task force and related policy fights.
• Rwanda agreeing to accept U.S. deportees under a controversial resettlement arrangement.
• Ongoing legal scrutiny around Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, with new subpoenas from the House Oversight Committee.

This episode is essential listening for anyone researching "how Supreme Court decisions affect redistricting" or seeking clear, expert context on the future of voting rights, race-conscious districting, and civic remedies to protect electoral access.