On April 29, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to decimate protections under the Voting Rights Act, one of the nation’s most important civil rights laws. The case, Louisiana v. Callais, centers on how states consider race when drawing legislative districts to comply with voting rights protections. In its ruling, the Court concluded that race cannot be the predominant factor used when drawing districts, even when states are attempting to comply with federal voting rights law.
The Feminist Majority Foundation strongly denounces this decision and remains committed to fighting for our democracy and equal representation.
In her dissent, Justice Kagan warned that the ruling effectively dismantles a central tool used to protect minority voters. The decision undermines decades of precedent and could allow for discriminatory maps to stand as long as lawmakers claim their motives were political rather than racial.
“Black women in the Congress and state houses have been at the forefront of fighting for some of the most important policy initiatives of our time, including maternal health programs, expanding Medicaid, funding school lunch programs, paid family and medical leave, reproductive rights, securing a living wage, the Equal Rights Amendment and so much more. Without their strong voices in the ranks of Congress and state legislatures, women and girls everywhere will be impacted,” said Kathy Spillar, co-founder and executive director of FMF.
Eleanor Smeal, president and co-founder of FMF, added “This is a devastating blow. The Voting Rights Act was the result of a massive civil rights movement, some of these activists gave their lives to furthering democracy. This ruling will devastate the participation of communities of color, especially women, in a democracy that is under attack. With the Court taking this reactionary stand, civil rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and women’s rights are diminished.”
FMF is a member of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights and the Transformative Justice Coalition.
Civil rights leaders quickly condemned the decision. Barbara R. Arnwine, president and founder of the Transformative Justice Coalition, warned: “The most conservative U.S. Supreme Court since 1935 is now setting back the time clock regarding the impact of the Black vote to pre-1965 levels. This is unacceptable! We must demand more from our U.S. Supreme Court and our U.S. Congress. We must speak with our vote in 2026!”
As Maya Wiley, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, stated, “Every voter deserves a fair map, free of discrimination. Every voter of color deserves the fair chance to elect people who can be held accountable to meeting their needs and responding to their problems. That includes Black voters.”
Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act explicitly “prohibits voting practices or procedures that discriminate on the basis of race…” For decades, the Voting Rights Act allowed courts to block voting policies and district maps that produced discriminatory results, such as weakening the political power of Black voters. Courts had this power even if lawmakers did not openly admit discriminatory intent.
Kim Villanueva, President, National Organization for Women said, “The Trump Supreme Court has given a green light to race discrimination and leaves communities without the most effective weapon they’ve had to ensure they have fair representation by striking down Louisiana’s congressional map. With this ruling, the Court leaves the Voting Rights Act a pale echo of what civil rights heroes like Fannie Lou Hamer and Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray fought to protect for future generations. The Supreme Court majority has struck another blow against democracy.”
Gloria L. Blackwell, CEO of the American Association of University Women, underscored the broader impact: “When maps dilute Black voting power, women and families lose ground on the issues that matter most — from strong public education to equal pay to civil rights protections. We will continue to stand for a democracy where every voter is heard, every community is counted, and every woman has the power to help shape our future.”
In the face of this devastating setback, feminists and civil rights leaders will continue organizing, mobilizing, and fighting to ensure every voice is heard and every vote counts.
