Battle Over Louisiana's Congressional Map Reaches Supreme Court

The U.S. Supreme Court deliberated a controversial Louisiana electoral map case involving increased Black-majority districts. A lower court initially found the map violated constitutional equal protection laws, sparking tensions over minority voting rights versus racial considerations in redistricting. A final ruling is anticipated by June.

The U.S. Supreme Court convened on Monday to examine a contentious case concerning Louisiana's electoral map, which increased Black-majority congressional districts. The map sparked legal challenges from non-Black voters and faced a lower court's ruling that it breached constitutional equal protection promises.

Making up nearly a third of the state's population, Black voters were a focal point in Louisiana's argument, as officials sought to protect Republican incumbents' seats. Despite earlier backing from President Biden's administration, this stance shifted under President Trump.

Legal debates raged over minority voting rights versus the equal protection principle. A judicial panel ultimately blocked the map for excessive reliance on race, but the Supreme Court allowed its use in 2024 elections, leaving a narrow Republican majority intact.

(With inputs from agencies.)