The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on the 29th (local time) that state governments are restricted in using race as a factor when drawing congressional districts ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

In a 6-3 decision, the justices ruled that Louisiana's 2024 congressional district map, redrawn to create a second district where Black voters form a majority, constituted "illegal" racial gerrymandering.

This ruling significantly narrows the scope for state governments to consider race when drawing congressional districts, effectively weakening the intent of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which was established to protect minority voters, according to Fox News.

Justice Samuel Alito, in the majority opinion, stated, "If Section 2 is properly interpreted, it can be such a reason. If Section 2 is properly understood, it does not impose unconstitutional responsibilities, and Louisiana should not be held responsible for adopting its 2022 redistricting map."

He added, "Therefore, compliance with Section 2 cannot justify a state's race-based redistricting."

The impact of this ruling could be seen in the upcoming November midterm elections, as the majority opinion did not include specifics on how or when states undergoing redistricting processes should proceed under the new guidelines.

The case, Louisiana v. Callais, centered on whether Louisiana's 2024 congressional district map, which added a second district with a Black majority, constituted unconstitutional racial gerrymandering.

The justices acknowledged that compliance with the Voting Rights Act could be a significant public interest consideration in a state's redistricting process but ruled that Louisiana was not obligated to add a second district with a Black majority, upholding a lower court's decision to prohibit the use of that map.

While Wednesday's ruling does not overturn the Voting Rights Act or Section 2 itself, it is likely to diminish the impact of minority representation in the congressional redistricting of several states and could trigger a new wave of legal challenges over congressional district boundaries.

Republican National Committee (RNC) Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel praised the ruling as "a victory for fairness, the rule of law, and everyone who opposes racial gerrymandering" in a statement provided to Fox News Digital.

President Trump also lauded the decision on Truth Social, stating, "The Kalle case ruling by the Supreme Court today, a 6-3 decision, is a major victory for equal protection under the law. This ruling returns the Voting Rights Act to its original intent, which was to protect against intentional racial discrimination."

He added, "I am grateful to the great Justice Samuel Alito for writing this important and appropriate opinion."

Meanwhile, Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Ken Martin lamented the decision as "a dark day for America," adding, "The Supreme Court has turned back the clock on the civil rights movement."

The Supreme Court's decision has long been expected to have a significant impact on future elections. 

In recent months, critics have warned that weakening the Voting Rights Act (VRA) could further erode protections for minority voters under the law, a development that comes as several Republican-led states are actively pursuing new congressional district maps ahead of the midterm elections.

A recent report by the non-profit organizations Fair Fight Action and Black Voters Matter Fund estimated that amending the Voting Rights Act (VRA) could shift approximately a dozen House districts currently held by Democrats in favor of Republican candidates.

By NNP Chief Reporter Sung Ku Hong / Special Correspondent NNP info@newsandpost.com