Louisiana leaders release statements as Supreme Court hears arguments in Voting Rights Act case

BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Louisiana leaders release statements as the Supreme Court hears arguments on Louisiana v. Callais, a Voting Rights Act case, on Wednesday morning.

Attorney General Liz Murrill (R-La.) released the following statement.

“It’s time for the courts to stop forcing us to separate our voters by race. Our Constitution prohibits the sorting of Americans into voting districts based on their skin color. We have made this argument for years. I am grateful that the Court has now asked the parties to brief whether this entire system is constitutional. My answer: It is not. Our Constitution sees neither black voters nor white voters; it sees only American voters.”

Congressman Troy Carter (D-La.) said the Supreme Court must uphold the Voting Rights Act. Read his full statement below.

“Today’s arguments before the Supreme Court are about far more than lines on a map. They are about whether Louisiana will reflect the diversity of its people and ensure fair representation for all residents. Math is Math! Both the Middle District and the Fifth Circuit Court ruled that Louisiana must have two majority-minority districts. The bipartisan map enacted by the legislature honors those rulings.

“The creation of a second majority-minority district was not about race; it’s about fairness, compliance with federal law, and ensuring that Black voices in Louisiana are not silenced. The current map is the product of bipartisan compromise, legislative action, and judicial review. The Supreme Court has a duty to uphold the integrity of the Voting Rights Act and ensure that every Louisianian has a seat at the table.

“The Voting Rights Act is not a relic; it is a living promise that our democracy belongs to everyone. For nearly 200 years, Black Americans had virtually no representation in government. The Voting Rights Act, forged in the blood, was enacted to right that wrong. It remains as vital today as it was 60 years ago.

“The Supreme Court must uphold the Voting Rights Act and the current fair, lawful congressional map that reflects the people of Louisiana. The stakes are nothing less than the future of representative democracy in our state and our nation. We must not allow the erosion of this promise — not now, not in Louisiana, not anywhere, and not on our watch.”

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