by David Lindfield
The Department of Justice (DOJ) is moving to enforce the Supreme Court’s recent ruling striking down race-based redistricting practices, as Republicans push to ensure the decision is applied across the country.
The ruling is seen as a major victory for constitutional principles.
It is already prompting calls for a sweeping review of congressional maps drawn under the Voting Rights Act.
Supreme Court Rejects Race-Based Map
In a 6–3 decision in Louisiana v. Callais on April 29, the Supreme Court ruled that Louisiana’s congressional map, created to include a second majority-black district, was an “unconstitutional racial gerrymander.”
Justice Samuel Alito, writing for the majority, made clear that compliance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act does not justify race-driven mapmaking.
“In sum, because the Voting Rights Act did not require Louisiana to create an additional majority-minority district, no compelling interest justified the state’s use of race in creating SB8,” Alito wrote.
“That map is an unconstitutional gerrymander, and its use would violate the plaintiffs’ constitutional rights.”
The decision reinforces the constitutional principle that Americans cannot be sorted or treated differently based on race.
Republicans Push for Nationwide Enforcement
Following the ruling, Sen. Eric Schmitt (R-MO) called on the DOJ to apply the decision nationwide and dismantle race-based districts still in place.
“This is what oversight is for,” Schmitt said.