Category: Voting Rights Act (VRA)

Pro-Voter Groups Respond to State of Louisiana’s Equal Protection Clause Defense in October’s Consequential U.S. Supreme Court Case

We reported that the State of Louisiana shifted its argument in Louisiana vs. Callais, and now claims the protections of Voting Rights Act of 1965 Section 2, are unconstitutional and no longer needed.  In their brief, pro-voter groups point out Louisiana’s maps have already been found to discriminate, so shifting arguments won’t help them.   

What is the ‘Gingles Test’ and How Does it Help Decide Voting Rights Act Cases?

Today, we’re looking at a principle called the “Gingles Test” that federal courts use  when determining whether a gerrymandered redistricting map is a violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.   How that test is interpreted can determine whether minority voters can elect the candidate of their choice, or their vote is diluted by an anti-voter state legislature.