Callais v. Landry
Case Overview
A federal district court challenge to Louisiana's congressional redistricting map, which the legislature drew to include a second majority-Black district following a Supreme Court order. Plaintiffs argue the new map constitutes an unconstitutional racial gerrymander; the state argues it complied with Voting Rights Act mandates.
The Facts
After the Supreme Court upheld a Voting Rights Act challenge to Louisiana's earlier map in Allen v. Milligan (2023), the legislature created a second majority-Black congressional district. Plaintiffs in Callais v. Landry sued arguing this remedial map itself amounted to a racial gerrymander in violation of the Equal Protection Clause.
The Issue
Whether Louisiana's VRA-compliant remedial redistricting map constitutes an unconstitutional racial gerrymander
How courts balance Equal Protection Clause constraints against Voting Rights Act remediation obligations
The Rules
Equal Protection Clause - Shaw v. Reno racial gerrymander doctrine
Voting Rights Act Section 2
Allen v. Milligan (2023)
The Conclusion
Active litigation in W.D. La. Pending decision on whether a court-ordered VRA remedy can simultaneously constitute an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.
Flag an issue
This tracker is maintained by BrynoDC and is free because readers fund it. Support