Callais Ruling Drives Southern Election Map Disputes

The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which rejected race-based drawing of congressional districts, is creating election and redistricting uncertainty in Mississippi and Louisiana. In Mississippi, Secretary of State Michael Watson says the ruling vacated the decision underlying the state’s 2025 legislative maps, prompting a return to the 2022 maps; the change has raised questions about state Sen. Johnny DuPree’s run in a special election for District 34 and the rules for 2027 legislative elections. In Louisiana, Attorney General Liz Murrill is expected to ask a federal panel on Oct. 27 to close the case, arguing that lawmakers fixed the issue by redrawing the 6th Congressional District. The plaintiffs want the case to remain open so the court can consider whether the state’s remaining majority-Black district, the 2nd, is also unconstitutional; the outcome could affect its representation but will not change the Nov. 3 election. Rep. Troy Carter, who represents the 2nd District, has condemned the effort, while the state and plaintiffs dispute whether the case has been fully resolved.