The U.S. Supreme Court is seen in 2024 in Washington, D.C. On Monday, the high court sent two cases involving the Voting Rights Act back to lower cases, avoiding another ruling on part of the act. File Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
May 18 (UPI) -- The U.S. Supreme Court sent two cases involving part of the Voting Rights Act -- which the high court essentially gutted in a decision last month -- back to lower courts Monday, avoiding another ruling involving the landmark 1965 act.
Supreme Court justices set aside the lower court decisions the cases and told the courts to revisit them in light of the high court's Louisiana vs. Callais decision in late April. The newer cases involve individuals' ability to bring lawsuits under Section 2, a key part of the Voting Rights Act, as opposed to the Justice Department bringing those lawsuits. In both cases, voters had challenged redistricting plans.
Louisiana vs. Callais in April weakened that part of the act, which had helped ensure minority groups could elect their choice of candidates. This set off a flurry of recent redistricting moves meant to eliminate Democrat-led,Black-majority voting districts.
Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented with the move Monday. Jackson said the high court should have summarily resolved the cases, making it clear that individuals can bring these lawsuits, CNN reported.
