Democratic-aligned voting rights organizations are raising alarms over the potential weakening of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) by the U.S. Supreme Court, warning it could trigger a major crisis for minority representation. The case, Louisiana v. Callais, heard on October 15, centers on Section 2 of the VRA, which prohibits redistricting plans that dilute the voting power of racial minorities. A recent report from Fair Fight Action and the Black Voters Matter Fund warns that narrowing or striking down Section 2 could allow Republican-controlled legislatures to redraw up to 19 congressional districts in their favor, threatening Democratic representation and potentially consolidating GOP control of the House. LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter Fund, described the potential impact as paving “the path for a one-party system where power serves the powerful and silences the people.”

Republicans have long criticized Section 2, claiming it unfairly benefits Democrats by requiring minority-majority districts that typically lean Democratic. While Democratic legislatures in heavily Democratic states could attempt similar strategies, experts note the scope and potential gains would be far smaller than the advantage Republican-controlled states could secure if Section 2 protections were weakened. Under current law, the VRA acts as a safeguard against racial gerrymandering, ensuring minority voters have a fair opportunity to elect their preferred candidates and maintain political influence.

The Supreme Court’s ruling could significantly alter congressional representation, especially in Southern states with large minority populations. Democrats could face losses in Alabama, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Mississippi, while states such as Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina, Texas, and Florida might retain some Democratic representation but with overall reduced influence. The potential reconfiguration of districts threatens to shift the balance of power in the House, amplifying concerns over fair representation for minority communities nationwide.

Voting rights organizations are urging Democrats to adopt an immediate and robust strategy to counteract potential GOP-led redistricting ahead of the midterms. With Section 2 of the VRA potentially in jeopardy, advocates warn that without proactive action, minority voters could face diminished political power, undermining the law’s decades-long role in protecting equitable participation in the democratic process.