Democracy on Trial: Louisiana, the Supreme Court, and the Fight for Voting Rights
By Charles Zackary King | August 17, 2025
The Supreme Court has once again placed the Voting Rights Act on the operating table—this time in a case out of Louisiana that could redefine how race is considered in redistricting. The Court has requested supplemental briefs and scheduled a re-argument for the fall term, asking whether the creation of a second majority-Black district violates the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments.
Let’s be clear: this is not just a legal debate. It’s a moral reckoning.
Civil rights groups and legal scholars have sounded the alarm. If the Court narrows protections under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act—the last remaining shield after Shelby County v. Holder gutted Section 5—we could see a rollback of minority voting power across the South. Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and South Carolina are already in the crosshairs. And while some federal courts have upheld the need for race-conscious remedies, the Supreme Court’s posture suggests a willingness to revisit—and potentially reverse—decades of precedent.
What the People Are Saying
Public sentiment is growing restless. Many voters, especially in Black communities, feel betrayed by a system that seems more invested in preserving power than protecting rights. Legal experts warn that the Court’s actions could “turn the clock back to the early 1960s,” as Professor Richard Hasen put it. Justice Elena Kagan cautioned that unchecked gerrymandering could “irreparably damage our system of government.”
And yet, where is the outrage from Democratic governors? Where is the coordinated resistance from blue states that claim to champion equity and justice?
California has taken steps to protect minority representation. Texas, under Trump-aligned leadership, continues to redraw maps with impunity. But too many Democratic-led states remain silent, watching from the sidelines as the foundation of democracy is chipped away.
A Call to Action
We cannot afford complacency. This is a moment for moral courage—not political calculation.
- To Democratic Governors: Use your platforms. File amicus briefs. Mobilize your legal teams. Speak out publicly.
- To Civil Rights Organizations: Amplify the voices of those most affected. Host town halls. Educate communities.
- To Everyday Citizens: Call your representatives. Share this story. Demand accountability.
- To Faith Leaders and Advocates: Remind the nation that justice is not negotiable. That silence is complicity.
This is not just about Louisiana. It’s about every voter whose voice is being diluted, dismissed, or denied. It’s about the soul of our democracy.
Let us not wait for history to judge us. Let us act now—boldly, unapologetically, and together.
