Indiana Black Legislative Caucus condemns Supreme Court ruling on Louisiana congressional map

Written from press release

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — April 29, 2026

The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus criticized a U.S. Supreme Court decision Wednesday that struck down Louisiana’s second majority-Black congressional district, calling the ruling another blow to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The court ruled 6-3 in Louisiana v. Callais that Louisiana’s congressional map relied too heavily on race when lawmakers created a second majority-Black district after the 2020 census. The case centered on the tension between the Voting Rights Act, which has been used to challenge maps that dilute minority voting power, and the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause, which limits race-based government action.

Louisiana’s Black residents make up about one-third of the state’s population. The map at issue created two majority-Black districts among the state’s six congressional districts after earlier litigation found the state’s prior map likely violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act by giving Black voters too little opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.

State Rep. Earl Harris Jr., D-East Chicago, chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, said the ruling will have consequences beyond Louisiana.

“The basis of the Voting Rights Act was to ensure that African Americans had both equal access to the polls and equal representation in governmental bodies,” Harris said in a statement on behalf of the caucus. “Today’s decision is yet another blow in a decades-long attack on the Voting Rights Act and on minority Americans’ ability to have a voice in their communities and national government.”

Justice Samuel Alito wrote the majority opinion. Justice Elena Kagan dissented, warning that the decision weakens Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, according to reports on the decision.

The ruling could affect redistricting fights in other states by limiting when race may be considered in drawing congressional districts, particularly in cases involving minority representation and claims of vote dilution.

Harris said the caucus believes the decision will be used nationally to weaken minority voting power.

“This decision will not just impact Louisiana,” Harris said. “Throughout the country, Louisiana v. Callais will be used to silence minority voices and uphold the violent white supremacy that has marred our nation from its inception.”

Harris said the Supreme Court had an opportunity to affirm fair representation but instead “chose to take our country back decades.”

“The harm that this decision will cause cannot be overstated,” Harris said. “This is a sad day for our democracy, but the IBLC is committed to continuing our work to advocate for fair maps that give everyone a voice.”

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