Two justices, one quest: push to gut Voting Rights Act reaches final act
Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito have led a long-standing judicial campaign to weaken the Voting Rights Act of 1965, culminating in the Supreme Court's 2026 Louisiana v Callais ruling that struck down a key provision used to combat racial gerrymandering. The decision, decided 6-3 along ideological lines, invalidates efforts to create majority-Black electoral districts, overturning decades of precedent and congressional intent. Justices in dissent, including Elena Kagan, criticized the majority for dismantling one of the most effective civil rights laws in U.S. history under the guise of equal protection.
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Roberts and Alito’s shared interest in, and assault on, voting rights legislation stretches back decades. Composite: Javier Palma/The Guardian/Getty ImagesView image in fullscreenRoberts and Alito’s shared interest in, and assault on, voting rights legislation stretches back decades. Composite: Javier Palma/The Guardian/Getty ImagesUS voting rightsTwo justices, one quest: push to gut Voting Rights Act reaches final actLatest ruling is culmination of Justices Roberts and Alito’s campaign to slowly but surely strangle efforts to protect democratic rights of Black and other minority AmericansEd PilkingtonThu 30 Apr 2026 06.00 EDTLast modified on Thu 30 Apr 2026 06.01 EDTSharePrefer the Guardian on GoogleThe ruling from the US supreme court destroying one of the last pillars of the 1965…
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