U.S. Supreme Court ruling brightens electoral map for Democrats in 2024

9/6/2023 18:20

        A surprise Supreme Court ruling on Thursday has handed Democrats a potential boost in the 2024 congressional race by calling into question the constitutionality of Republican-drawn electoral districts throughout the U.S. South.
        
        In the 5-4 decision, the court ruled in favor of Black voters who challenged a Republican-drawn electoral map in Alabama, finding the state violated the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting.
        
        That could force Alabama to redraw its seven House districts so that two would contain Black majorities or near-majorities, up from one now. Analysts said that would give Democrats a greater chance of winning seats across the South, where voting often breaks down along racial lines.
        
        The Cook Political Report, a non-partisan electoral analysis group in Washington, said two congressional seats in Alabama and two in Louisiana were now "toss-ups," meaning either party could prevail. All four seats had been considered solidly Republican.
        
        The organization also said one competitive seat in North Carolina now favored Democrats.