5th Circuit vacates Louisiana ruling after SCOTUS strikes down maps

Just the news ^ | 05/07/2026 | Ben Whedon

[DFG]

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday formally vacated its ruling that originally struck down Louisiana's House maps after the Supreme Court eliminated race-based districts.

The Fifth Circuit decision comes as Louisiana moves to redraw its maps in light of the Supreme Court ruling. The decision saw the Supreme Court narrow its interpretation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and end race-based districts.

Louisiana had, by court order, created a second black majority district in the state. Lawmakers are expected to eliminate at least one of the two as part of their redistricting push.

The case has led to a series of redraw pushes across the South, including in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee.

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TOPICS: Politics
KEYWORDS: 5thcircuit; louisiana; redistricting; scotus; vra

[Skwor]

I am still not tired of winning! :)

[Ken H]

[fwdude]

"Louisiana had, by court order, created a second black majority district in the state."

There's the crux.

1. creating districts favoring a particular race is pernicious toward our principles of equal justice.
2. drawing congressional districts is solely the purview of the legislature, not the courts.

[JayGalt]

I was trying to get a sence of how many seats might be gained on the Republican side when the dust settles. There are so many states in play.

As of May 2026, Republicans have a 218-214 majority in the U.S. House, with three vacancies

Virginia Democrats probable failure to ∆ the map to gain 4 districts April 21, 2026
Louisiana change voided
Utah plus 1 democrat November 10, 2025
California plus 5 democrat November 4, 2025
6 gained democrat districts

Georgia Kemp says no. Legislators mounting challenge Florida plus 4 May 4th, 2026
Missouri plus 1 September 28, 2025
North Carolina plus 1 October 22, 2025
Texas plus 5 August 29, 2025
Alabama potentially 2 seats May 6, 2026
Tennessee plus 1 May 7, 2026

My tally is 11-14 gained Republican districts, 6 gained democrat districts
Looks like a 5-8 seat gain. Thoughts?