Supreme Court Seems Inclined to Restrict Race-Based Districting

The U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 15 seemed likely to limit the use of race-based districting during an oral argument concerning Louisiana’s congressional map. At the same time, some justices on the nation’s highest court pushed back against the idea that discarding the use of race in drawing electoral districts was necessary or constitutional. The outcome of the high-profile racial gerrymandering case—known as Louisiana v. Callais—could have an impact on the balance of power in the federal legislative branch. Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular party or constituency. Currently, Republicans maintain a razor-thin majority over Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives. The congressional seat at the heart of the litigation is currently held by Rep. Cleo Fields (D-La.)....