WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court wants to know if, by creating a second Black majority congressional district, Louisiana violated the U.S. Constitution.

The nine justices focused on mechanics when they first heard the case — called Louisiana v. Callais — in March. They’re now asking an ideological question some critics say might lead to further weakening of the Voter Rights Act of 1965, one of the legislative cornerstones of the Civil Rights era.

“Obviously, the court is divided,” said U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, the Baton Rouge Democrat who won the newly created seat in the U.S. House. “I don’t think either side has five votes. I think they’re trying to see how they get there.”

The high court announced in June that it would hear more arguments. On Aug. 1, it asked lawyers to argue w

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