**Supreme Court Considers Limits on Race in Redistricting** The Supreme Court is poised to make significant changes to how race is considered in congressional redistricting, particularly regarding the Voting Rights Act. During oral arguments on Wednesday, the court's conservative justices indicated they may restrict the use of race in drawing electoral maps, a move that could reshape political representation in several states, especially in the South. The case centers on Louisiana's congressional map, which includes a second majority-Black district. State officials and the Trump administration argue that this district violates the 14th Amendment by prioritizing racial composition. The justices expressed concerns that race may have been overly emphasized in creating the district. Justice Brett Kavanaugh highlighted the need for a time limit on race-based remedies, stating, "This court's cases... have said that race-based remedies are permissible for a period of time... but that they should not be indefinite and should have an end point." Janai Nelson, president of the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, countered that the Voting Rights Act should not be dismissed simply because race is a factor in the remedy. She argued that the law is essential for ensuring fair political participation for minority voters. The Voting Rights Act's Section 2 has historically protected against practices that dilute the voting power of racial minorities. It allows courts to mandate redistricting when violations are found, without requiring proof of discriminatory intent. However, several justices suggested that plaintiffs should demonstrate some level of intent to discriminate, which would raise the bar for proving violations. Justice Elena Kagan emphasized that Section 2 is designed to address discriminatory effects, stating, "What Section 2 does is to say where the effects [of a congressional map] are discriminatory... then a remedy is appropriate." The implications of the court's decision could be far-reaching. A ruling in favor of Louisiana could lead to the redrawing of congressional maps across the country, potentially undermining minority representation. Nelson warned that a rollback of the Voting Rights Act would be "catastrophic," noting that all Black congressional members from Louisiana were elected from districts created under the Act. The court's liberal justices highlighted the historical significance of the Voting Rights Act, which was established to combat racial discrimination in voting. Justice Sonia Sotomayor pointed out that race is often a necessary consideration in ensuring fair representation. The justices are expected to issue a ruling by June 2026, which could determine how states approach redistricting ahead of the midterm elections. The outcome may significantly impact the political landscape, particularly in states with large minority populations. As the court deliberates, the future of race-based redistricting hangs in the balance, with potential consequences for electoral representation across the nation.