The US Supreme Court issued an order on 1 Aug requesting additional briefing in a Louisiana redistricting dispute and, in doing so, indicated it will consider whether the Constitution permits the use of race when drawing voting districts. The case involves a lower-court directive that Louisiana add a second majority-minority congressional seat to comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which bans practices that dilute minority voting power. By asking the parties to address the constitutionality of Section 2 itself, the Court signalled it may revisit the landmark provision that has underpinned the creation of dozens of minority-opportunity districts nationwide. The move echoes the Court’s 2013 Shelby County ruling that dismantled another key section of the Act and raises the prospect that its remaining protections could be curtailed or struck down. Briefs are due in the coming weeks, setting up arguments in the next term and a decision that could reshape the balance of political representation ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.