Voting Rights Act Overview - The Voting Rights Act of 1965 aimed to end Jim Crow era policies and ensure states could not disenfranchise black voters [2] - The Act was reshaped and expanded to protect a broader range of Americans, including Spanish speakers, Native Americans, disabled people, and minority voters [3] - Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act outlaws election practices that deny or limit voting rights based on race [8] Supreme Court Decisions & Challenges - In 2013, the Supreme Court struck down Section 4B of the Voting Rights Act, weakening Section 5, which established preclearance for states with histories of discriminatory policies [5][6] - The Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Louisiana versus Cala, a case challenging a congressional map with two majority-black districts [9][10] - Conservative justices signaled willingness to strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, potentially legalizing gerrymandering by race [11] Implications of Dismantling the Voting Rights Act - Opponents of the Voting Rights Act, including Chief Justice John Roberts, have worked to dismantle it piece by piece [12][14] - Dismantling the Voting Rights Act could lead to over-representation of white voters and under-representation of black voters [23] - Without Section 2, it would be more difficult to challenge discriminatory election practices based on their outcome, requiring proof of intent [30][31] Representation & Gerrymandering - A group of white voters in Louisiana is challenging a congressional map that has created two majority black districts out of six, representing one-third of Louisiana's population [10][11] - Striking down Section 2 could allow Republicans to pick up an estimated 19 congressional seats through gerrymandering [11] - White people only make up 56% of the population in Louisiana, but are seeking more representation than they deserve [23]