Black voters suffer another significant loss in the Supreme Court
VoxMar 24, 2022
The Facts
The Wisconsin legislative map has been rejected by the US Supreme Court, after Republican legislators challenged the redraw on the grounds that it violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Voting Rights Act.
The decision overturned the ruling of the WI State Supreme Court and struck down the redistricting plans of Democratic Governor Tony Evers, with the two dissenting judges Sotomayor and Kagan calling the court's action unprecedented.
The Spin
Left narrative
The decision is a devastating blow for African Americans in Wisconsin, with the Supreme Court deliberately interpreting a confusing array of legal doctrines in favour of conservative politics. It is further evidence that congressional maps giving more power to black voters are less popular with SCOTUS than redistricting that dilutes the influence of minorities.
Right narrative
SCOTUS ruled according to redistricting law. Gov. Tony Evers drew up new districts that elevated proportionality above all other factors and were gerrymandered based on race. By overturning the districts, the Supreme Court has limited the ability of the Dems to utilize the VRA for political gain.
Establishment-critical narrative
Both Democrats and Republicans gerrymander massively, making American democracy far from fair. Election laws should change.