Waylay Callais!
The Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais, pronounced 'waylay' by the Chief Justice, concluded after a five-month deliberation following oral arguments, with Justice Alito writing a majority opinion that minimally engaged the dissent. The ruling appears to scale back prior voting rights precedents like Allen v. Milligan by relying on the SFFA decision, reducing the advantage Democrats previously had under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in conservative states. While the immediate impact on the 2026 midterms may be limited, the long-term effects after the 2030 census could reshape political strategies and voter behavior in minority communities.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Waylay Callais! Some preliminary thoughts. Josh Blackman | 4.30.2026 12:03 AM After much anticipation, the Supreme Court finally decided Louisiana v. Callais. (The Chief Justice pronounced it as waylay.) I have some preliminary thoughts. First, more than five months elapsed from the oral argument in October till decision day. The longer this case dragged on, the harder it would be for Republican legislatures to redistrict. There was some speculation that the dissenters were dragging out the case to run out the clock. Are these insinuations accurate? Justice Alito's majority opinion in somewhat unusual in that it barely engages with the dissent. There are a few paragraphs on the penultimate page of the opinion that address the dissent.
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