With the Voting Rights Act gutted, what’s next for elections?

from Stories From The States · host Mallory Cheng

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais altered Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The decision could upend American politics and hold sweeping consequences for how states and local governments draw district lines at all levels of government, from Congress to school boards.What does that mean for this year’s midterms, as well as future elections?In Episode 27, you’ll hear from Jonathan Shorman, democracy reporter for States Newsroom’s D.C. Bureau. From lawmakers scrambling now to redraw congressional maps to the pause of Louisiana’s U.S. House primaries, Shorman has been watching how the states are reacting to the decision. Then, Professor Rick Hasen unpacks how this could re-shape future elections, and what would need to happen to prevent even more drastic changes. Hasen is an expert on election law and teaches at UCLA School of Law.Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching.Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer.Click here for the full transcript: Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners: Tennessee Republicans pass US House map carving up Memphis days after SCOTUS guts Voting Rights Act (Tennessee Lookout) Supreme Court voting rights ruling set to reshape local power from statehouses to school boards (Stateline) Alabama lawmakers advance primary bills as protests erupt in committees (Alabama Reflector) ‘Killing our vote’: GOP states rush to break up Black districts after US Supreme Court case (States Newsroom D.C. Bureau) Redistricting return, leadership questions loom after Indiana Senate primary shakeup (Indiana Capital Chronicle) Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at [email protected]: A crowd fills the Senate State and Local Government Committee meeting on May 6, 2026, to protest against legislative maps that split Memphis from one into three districts. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)

What this episode covers

The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais altered Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The decision could upend American politics and hold sweeping consequences for how states and local governments draw district lines at all levels of government, from Congress to school boards. What does that mean for this year’s midterms, as well as future elections? In Episode 27, you’ll hear from Jonathan Shorman, democracy reporter for States Newsroom’s D.C. Bureau. From lawmakers scrambling now to redraw congressional maps to the pause of Louisiana’s U.S. House primaries, Shorman has been watching how the states are reacting to the decision. Then, Professor Rick Hasen unpacks how this could re-shape future elections, and what would need to happen to prevent even more drastic changes. Hasen is an expert on election law and teaches at UCLA School of Law. Finally, Evening Wrap newsletter author Danielle Gaines shares the top stories she’s watching. Episode produced and edited by Mallory Cheng. Music for Stories From The States composed by David Singer. Click here for the full transcript: Relevant reading from States Newsroom outlets and partners: Tennessee Republicans pass US House map carving up Memphis days after SCOTUS guts Voting Rights Act (Tennessee Lookout) Supreme Court voting rights ruling set to reshape local power from statehouses to school boards (Stateline) Alabama lawmakers advance primary bills as protests erupt in committees (Alabama Reflector) ‘Killing our vote’: GOP states rush to break up Black districts after US Supreme Court case (States Newsroom D.C. Bureau) Redistricting return, leadership questions loom after Indiana Senate primary shakeup (Indiana Capital Chronicle) Got questions? An episode idea? Email us at [email protected] Photo: A crowd fills the Senate State and Local Government Committee meeting on May 6, 2026, to protest against legislative maps that split Memphis from one into three districts. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout)