Democratic-aligned voting rights groups are sounding the alarm ahead of the U.S. Supreme Court’s upcoming rehearing of Louisiana v. Callais, scheduled for October 15. The case could significantly alter how race is factored into congressional redistricting. Central to the case is Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a key provision that prohibits redistricting plans or voting laws that dilute the power of racial minorities.

A newly released report from Fair Fight Action and the Black Voters Matter Fund warns that if Section 2 is struck down or significantly weakened, Republican-led state legislatures could redraw as many as 19 congressional districts in their favor. Such a shift could cement long-term GOP control of the House of Representatives and sharply reduce minority representation, particularly among members of the Congressional Black and Hispanic Caucuses.

Republican lawmakers have long argued that Section 2 unfairly benefits Democrats by requiring the creation of minority-majority districts, which often lean Democratic. Many in the GOP believe redistricting should be based solely on geography and population. While previous Supreme Courts have upheld Section 2, voting rights advocates are concerned that the current 6–3 conservative majority may be more open to limiting or overturning the provision.

The report suggests that if the Court sides with Louisiana officials, states such as Alabama, South Carolina, and Mississippi could eliminate Democratic seats entirely. Other states, including Georgia, North Carolina, and Texas, would likely reduce the number of Democratic-held districts. Redistricting efforts are already in motion, with six new GOP-leaning districts created across two states.

In response, Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter are calling for an aggressive legal and political push by Democrats. They warn that the case could tip the balance of congressional power and significantly undermine decades of civil rights progress if protections under Section 2 are rolled back.