Supreme Court Ruling Triggers Redistricting Rush And Louisiana Primary Pause

The Supreme Court in a 6-3 decision struck down Louisiana's congressional map as an "unconstitutional racial gerrymander," and Gov. Jeff Landry on Thursday suspended the state's May 16 U.S. House primaries.

Justice Samuel Alito's opinion limited use of race in districting, prompting Republican-led redraw efforts in several Southern states and enabling Florida Republicans to pass a plan aiming to add four Republican-leaning seats.

Voting rights groups asked courts to delay implementing the ruling to avoid disrupting elections, noting early voting was set to start May 2 and absentee ballots had been sent, while Democrats criticized the suspension.

Analysts estimated Republican redraws could add roughly one to nine GOP-friendly seats for 2026, and activists warned the ruling could affect up to 19 or 20 seats in the Congressional Black Caucus and local bodies.

Legislatures were encouraged to redraw maps "as soon as practical," emergency appeals are pending before Justice Alito, and Mississippi and other courts will test how the ruling applies to judicial and nonpartisan elections, with Gov. Tate Reeves eyeing May 20.