The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Aug. 19, 2025
A federal appeals court upheld a lower court ruling August 14th that Louisiana’s legislature violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 when it racially gerrymandered state legislative districts, diluting the voting power of Black Louisiana voters.
We’ve also been covering the racial gerrymandering of Louisiana’s Congressional districts. Louisiana’s population is over 31% African American, but previously had only one majority-minority district. A group of White voters, arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court this coming Oct. 15, claims THEIR rights have been violated under the Constitution’s Equal Protection Clause.
The Aug. 14th ruling on the state’s house & senate districts from a three-judge 5th Circuit panel made very clear that there was ample evidence of a racial gerrymander. It rejected the State’s argument that majority-minority districts were no longer necessary, and that VRA rules needed to be “refreshed” by Congress. In upholding the lower court, the panel cited 60 years of legal precedent that made the legislature’s dilution of Black voting power illegal under the Voting Rights Act Section 2.
Within hours of the decision though, another 5th Circuit judge issued a stay for the state legislative maps, until the pending congressional map case is heard before a less VRA-friendly U.S. Supreme Court.
We have the decision and more on both cases at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Louisiana Illuminator – Louisiana’s legislative maps violate Voting Rights Act, 5th Circuit rules
American Democracy Minute – In Puzzling Move, U.S. Supreme Court Orders More Arguments in Louisiana Redistricting Case Pitting VRA Against Equal Protections Clause
U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals (via Democracy Docket – Opinion in Nairne v. Landry on State Legislative Maps
KLFY – Fifth Circuit pauses Louisiana legislative maps case
SCOTUS Blog – Supreme Court punts decision on Louisiana’s congressional map to next term
SCOTUS Blog – Supreme Court announces when it will hear oral argument in several important cases
Groups Taking Action:
ACLU, Legal Defense Fund, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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