Redistricting deadlines for the midterms loom as states wait for a Supreme Court ruling

"During the rare rehearing of a Louisiana redistricting case in October, the court's conservative majority appeared inclined to weaken the Voting Rights Act's Section 2 protections against racial discrimination in the political mapmaking process. Such a ruling could spark a new wave of congressional redistricting, especially in the South, where voting is often racially polarized and Section 2 has long prevented the dilution of Black minority voters' collective power."

"Time is running out to redo maps, which have to be finalized ahead of a state's filing deadline for candidates seeking to run in a primary election for the midterms. "The earlier the decision comes, the more likely the decision is before the date for candidates to declare that they're going to be running, and the more time there is for legislatures to meet and consider maps and redraw their maps," says Nick Stephanopoulos, a professor specializing in election law at Harvard Law School."

The Supreme Court's possible weakening of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act could spur widespread congressional redistricting, particularly in the racially polarized South. Section 2 has prevented dilution of Black minority voters' collective power by ensuring districts where they can elect preferred candidates. Without Section 2 protections, Republican-led southern states could undo those opportunity districts, likely benefiting Republicans in House races. Timing of the Court's decision is critical because maps must be finalized before state candidate filing deadlines for primary elections; earlier rulings give legislatures more time to redraw maps. Some legislatures might delay filing deadlines or change primary dates to enable gerrymanders.

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