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Two More Southern States to Redraw Maps
May 1, 2026 at 9:55 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard 116 Comments
https://politicalwire.com/2026/05/01/two-more-southern-states-to-redraw-maps/
Two more Republican-controlled states took steps Friday to redraw their congressional maps as party leaders try to capitalize on the Supreme Courts decision this week to weaken the Voting Rights Act, the Washington Post reports.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) and Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee (R) both called special sessions aimed at picking up more Republican seats, part of a gerrymandering war unprecedented in modern times.
That followed Republican Gov. Jeff Landrys announcement Thursday that he would suspend Louisianas May 16 U.S. House primaries so his state could redraw its map.
SheltieLover
(81,504 posts)Fiendish Thingy
(23,844 posts)Unless SCOTUS does something out of the ordinary and files the ruling sooner.
Having to wait 30+ days before acting is going to put a massive time crunch on the states to redraw their districts, reschedule primaries, and then certify the results in time for military ballots to be mailed by early August.
Adding to the time crunch will be delays caused by the inevitable court challenges.
BannonsLiver
(20,800 posts)And imagine still believing 11 years into this thing that these people care about 30 day waiting periods. Or rules. 🤦♂️
Skittles
(172,565 posts)B.See
(8,726 posts)the pooh poohers, the naysayers, and the cold water pourers the benefit of the doubt, chalking the dismissals up to overconfidence or...... SOMETHING.
But in the face of these recent developments? Well, let's just say I have my own thoughts on it, and leave it at that.
misanthrope
(9,582 posts)they don't care. They will do whatever they want and demand someone tell them otherwise.
Fiendish Thingy
(23,844 posts)The legislature, which makes the laws, doesnt follow them?
I know the governor has declared an emergency and suspended the date of the primaries, but that doesnt mean there wont be court challenges or other technical obstacles that might delay the speed at which they can redraw their districts.
We shall see.
misanthrope
(9,582 posts)Breaking the very ethics laws he pressured the legislature to create?
pat_k
(13,817 posts)It sounds like there is a difference between how quickly the lower court from which the case was appealed can act (only after the "mandate" comes down) but the decision is otherwise binding on all other lower courts immediately -- and presumably applicable to whatever comes before them from that date?
In other words, further action on Louisiana v. Callais by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana (from which it was appealed to SCOTUS) must await the "mandate," generally issued in 30 days, but otherwise, the decision is binding precedent that other parties in other states can move forward based on?? Or am I reading things wrong??
FWIW, here is AI's (Gemini's) answer to "Are SCOTUS decisions binding as precedent for other cases immediately upon release?"
Here is a breakdown of the binding nature of SCOTUS decisions:
Immediate Effect: The decisions are considered effective upon release, even though official publication in the United States Reports occurs much later 1.5.1.
Vertical Stare Decisis: As the highest court, SCOTUS holds the absolute authority in the judicial hierarchy, meaning all lower federal and state courts are obligated to follow their precedent 1.1.2 and 1.2.2.
Finality: A decision acts as final law, though for the parties involved, formal "judgments" may not be issued until the mandate comes down, which often happens later 1.4.2.
B.See
(8,726 posts)SCOTUS Helps Louisiana Republicans Obliterate Black, Dem District Ahead of Midterms
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/supreme-court-fast-tracks-vra-decision/
BlueWaveNeverEnd
(14,836 posts)misanthrope
(9,582 posts)It shows what a useless puppet Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is. She said on Wednesday that Alabama wouldn't do this. Those of us who see her for what she is knew that stance wouldn't last long, not once her handlers got hold of her and told her how to change course. Then in 24 hours, she had changed her tune.
B.See
(8,726 posts)don't give a flying f about polls or public opinion. The plan was to cheat all along.
Emile
(43,053 posts)redraw a gerrymandered map?
orangecrush
(30,901 posts)RoseTrellis
(192 posts)I havent looked elsewhere, but all of New England is already 100% D.
What other D states could be redrawn under this decision?
orangecrush
(30,901 posts)It seems the situation is in flux in some places.
Jbraybarten
(279 posts)orangecrush
(30,901 posts)And MAGATs are not conservatives.
They are a cult
lame54
(40,039 posts)Voters need to remember that