Voting Rights And Texas
While the Supreme Court’s decision did not fully strike down a pivotal section of the Voting Rights Act, Justice Elena Kagan (in a dissent) wrote that this ruling now left it “all but a dead letter.”
The Supreme Court Weighs In
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court issued a long-awaited ruling with profound ramifications for the Voting Rights Act of 1965. In the 6-3 decision, known as Louisiana v. Callais authored by Samuel Alito, the Court upheld a federal court decision that blocked a 2022 congressional map in Louisiana.
That map would have potentially created a second-Black majority district in the state. While the Supreme Court’s decision did not fully strike down a pivotal section of the Voting Rights Act, Justice Elena Kagan (in a dissent) wrote that this ruling now left it “all but a dead letter.”
Reaction to the Supreme Court’s ruling came swiftly in Texas. The Mexican American Legislative Caucus called it “the most dangerous setback to voting rights since Jim Crow” in a statement from chair State Rep. Ramon Romero Jr. Many Democratic lawmakers in Texas also blasted the decision, including Houston Congressman Christian Menefee, who is also calling for redistricting and Supreme Court reform.
However, several Republicans in Texas were cheering the decision. On Fox News, Senator Ted Cruz called the decision a “vindication” for the Constitution. His Senate colleague John Cornyn, simply described the decision “huge.”
What Happens In Texas?
In Texas, voting has already happened in a primary using maps that were passed in a redistricting bill last summer in a special session. Just before issuing their Callais decision, the Supreme Court upheld their Texas decision about those new maps.
Looking ahead there are clear signs that Texas will likely have new maps in 2028. Republican State Rep. David Spiller has said the decision even opens the door beyond congressional districts, to the Texas House, Texas Senate, and the State Board of Education.
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