How the SCOTUS VRA Decision Could Impact the Midterms and Beyond

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Originally published at: How the SCOTUS VRA Decision Could Impact the Midterms and Beyond - TPM – Talking Points Memo

In a major blow to the Voting Rights Act, the Supreme Court, in a 6-3 decision in a case known as Louisiana v. Callais, struck down Louisiana’s second Black-majority congressional district, ruling that the map was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The decision does not strike down the Voting rights Act altogether, but will limit the…

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Y’know, so someday soon some white folks can sue a Blue State for discrimination …

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I assume the decision permits revisions only in the Black to White direction?

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In a previous ruling in a case that was an obvious redistricting to reduce Black districts, this same Supreme Court ruled that it was NOT racial but political gerrymandering and therefore allowed.

So if this court was consistent, don’t laugh, you merely have to say it is for political advantage and not about race.

But I would not be surprised if this Republican first and only Supreme Court took a different view based only on the results.

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Funny how the Republicans bend over backwards to protect all things Israeli but when it comes to our minorities, not so much.

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So, as I see it, a map created with districts drawn to minimize minority population cannot be remedied with maps intended to reflect minority population, because that would violate the Equal Protection Clause. Louisiana is 1/3 Black population with only a single Black representative. Unintentional?

Also, what happened to the principle – created by the Court – that districts can’t be jiggered too close to an election? That principle was invoked to preclude a challenge to the Texas redistricting maps.

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Conveniently enough, that’s a decision up to the States.

On this particular point.

It changes for which entity has primacy, depending on which one invalidates, er, disenfranchises, the most non-white people.

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Methinks you’re confusing with this with the McConnell Principle - that you can’t nominate someone to the Supreme Court too close to an election.

The Obama-Garland Rule? NOT!

If Alito were to retire, you can bet that Drumph would nominate someone and the hearings and Senate confirmation vote would be held.

Established rules of governance are for losers!

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