US Supreme Court ruling boosts 2024 election map for Democrats

A US Supreme Court decision on Thursday (8) provided Democrats with a potential boost in the race for Congress in 2024, by questioning the constitutionality of constituencies designed by Republicans in the south of the country.

On a 5-4 vote, the court ruled in favor of black voters who contested an electoral map drawn by Republicans in Alabama, finding that the state violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which prohibits racial discrimination in voting.

That could force Alabama to redraw its seven House districts so that two contain a black majority or near-majority, compared to one now. Analysts said the move would give Democrats a better chance of winning seats in the South, where the vote is often divided along racial lines.

The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election analysis group in Washington, said two congressional seats in Alabama and two in Louisiana now have “equal probability,” meaning either party could prevail. All four seats were considered solidly Republican.

The organization also said that a once competitive seat in North Carolina now favors Democrats.

Republicans currently control the House with a narrow 222-212 majority, so even small tweaks to the electoral map could have an impact.

Democrats said the decision would give them a better chance of winning back the House in the November 2024 election.

“This decision will affect redistricting cases across the country and help create a House of Representatives that better reflects our nation’s diversity,” said Suzan DelBene, chair of the House Democrats’ campaign arm.

Republicans said that would not affect their prospects. “The Democrats’ transparent political strategy to rig the game is to sue ’til you’re blue,” said Jack Pandol, spokesman for the House Republicans’ campaign arm.