Red states are preparing for an end to the Voting Rights Act

Republican Redistricting Plans Await Supreme Court Ruling on Voting Rights

In a calculated move, several Republican factions across the South are gearing up to redraw congressional maps with the aim of ousting Democrats from office, contingent upon a forthcoming Supreme Court decision that could dismantle the Voting Rights Act (VRA) in time for the midterm elections.

While a ruling remains uncertain, states are nonetheless preparing for this potential scenario. The anticipated rush to redraw district lines could significantly alter the midterms landscape, prompting alarm bells among Democratic strategists. One Democratic organization has projected that if the VRA’s protections are weakened, Republicans could claim an ambitious 19-seat gain by dismantling majority-Black and other majority-minority districts historically safeguarded by the VRA—a scenario that assumes an extreme level of redistricting across all states.

The Supreme Court’s impending decision revolves around Section 2 of the VRA, which has typically been used to create majority-minority districts, predominantly represented by Democrats. This has long been a point of contention for Republicans, who argue that it grants an unfair advantage to the Democratic Party.

If the court were to weaken or invalidate this section, the floodgates for redistricting could open wide, potentially affecting the 2026 elections and certainly the 2028 cycle.

In South Carolina, prominent Republicans are poised to eliminate the state’s only Democratic representative, Rep. Jim Clyburn. “If we could have a clean sweep, I would love that,” South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette, who is vying for the governorship, expressed to POLITICO.

Similarly, Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.), also pursuing the governorship, is eager to eliminate Clyburn’s seat through redistricting and sees no reason to delay. “The White House should apply pressure to the weak-kneed South Carolina Legislature and the governor just as it has done in non-Section 2 states,” Norman asserted in a recent op-ed.

Democrats are vehemently opposing these plans, arguing that recent GOP statements should influence the Supreme Court’s deliberations. John Bisognano, president of the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, warned, “Many states across the South are already licking their chops to prepare to racially gerrymander maps as quickly as possible. It is clear that there is a consistent and dramatic need for laws to enforce the Fourteenth Amendment and ensure that racial gerrymandering or racial discrimination at large is not permitted in this country.”

In Florida, Governor Ron DeSantis has repeatedly asserted that if the Supreme Court rules that states cannot consider race when delineating district lines, it will “necessitate new congressional redistricting” in the state. He has previously suggested that districts in South Florida, which have a significant number of Black and Hispanic voters, would require alteration.

DeSantis, who wields veto power over congressional maps according to state law, previously enacted changes that resulted in a Republican advantage of 20-8. Florida Republican legislative leaders have indicated a willingness to consider mid-decade redistricting, and state House Speaker Daniel Perez even initiated a committee to explore changes this summer.

However, progress has stalled since then. When directly asked if lawmakers are awaiting the high court’s ruling, Perez declined to comment. Florida’s legislative session is set to commence in January, leaving lawmakers sufficient time to act before the 2026 midterms, as the state’s primary is not scheduled until late August.

One complicating factor is Florida’s constitutional prohibition against drawing districts for partisan gain. Major changes could provoke legal challenges. Earlier this year, the state Supreme Court—composed predominantly of DeSantis appointees—upheld the current congressional map, a significant victory for the former presidential candidate.

In Louisiana, where the challenge to the VRA is centered, Governor Jeff Landry has convened a special session to adjust the state’s primary date, maximizing the time available for redistricting.

During oral arguments, the Supreme Court’s conservative justices appeared inclined to weaken the law. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, and Neil Gorsuch expressed a willingness to bar nearly all use of race in redistricting, suggesting that race-conscious district lines might be unconstitutional.

However, even if portions of the law are struck down, lawmakers will face a narrow window to pass new maps ahead of the midterms. If a ruling extends into the summer—when many high-profile decisions are typically rendered—it could inhibit several states from making timely adjustments.

Some Republicans are optimistic that the court could issue a ruling sooner, potentially igniting a frenzy of redistricting efforts. If not, lawmakers in red states may still have options post-ruling.

According to an unnamed top Republican strategist, pushing back primary dates might be the most viable strategy for states to redraw in time for the midterms. However, this would require significant political pressure on lawmakers to alter their election schedules, a scenario that may be challenging to realize.

The White House has intensified pressure on legislators in red states without Voting Rights Act limitations to redraw their maps, even threatening primary challenges to New Hampshire’s Gov. Kelly Ayotte. Yet, according to one insider, the White House has not yet engaged with lawmakers in states where seats are protected by the VRA.

If the pressure from other states is any indication, in the event of an opportunity to redraw, the expectation is that Trump and the White House will urge lawmakers to seize it.

Notably, the GOP has already secured seven seats across three states: Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina.

Gary Fineout and Alec Hernández contributed to this report.