The Supreme Court avoids taking up a fight over Voting Rights Act enforcement for now

A demonstrator holds a sign saying "PROTECT MINORITY VOTING RIGHTS" at a March 2025 rally outside the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. Jemal Countess/ for Legal Defense Fund hide caption toggle caption Jemal Countess/ for Legal Defense Fund Weeks after further weakening the Voting Rights Act , the U.S. Supreme Court sidestepped weighing in on a legal question that could severely limit enforcement of the law's remaining protections for minority voters. In a brief, unsigned order on Monday, the high court announced it is sending cases about Mississippi and North Dakota state legislative maps back to lower courts to be reconsidered in light of its recent ruling in Louisiana v. Callais . That landmark decision in April weakened the Voting Rights Act's protections against racial discrimination in redistricting and as a result reignited the congressional gerrymandering battle sparked by President Trump ahead of the 2026 midterm election to help Republicans keep control of the House of Representatives. Monday's move by the court effectively allows the justices to take an off-ramp from hearing what could have been the next major Supreme Court fight over the landmark 1965 law. …