In a dispute over a Louisiana voting map, the conservative majority signaled it might prohibit using race as a factor in creating election districts. Resulting redistricting could let states cement Republican control of Congress.
The Supreme Court appeared poised on Wednesday to upend a key provision of a landmark civil rights law by prohibiting lawmakers from using race as a factor in drawing voting maps, which could spark widespread redistricting efforts.
If the justices determine that lawmakers may not consider race in drawing districts, the repercussions for the country’s political balance could be sweeping, allowing Republican state legislatures to eliminate at least a dozen Democratic-held House districts across the South.
The Supreme Court appeared poised on Wednesday to upend a key provision of a landmark civil rights law by prohibiting lawmakers from using race as a factor in drawing voting maps, which could spark widespread redistricting efforts.
If the justices determine that lawmakers may not consider race in drawing districts, the repercussions for the country’s political balance could be sweeping, allowing Republican state legislatures to eliminate at least a dozen Democratic-held House districts across the South.

