Court Rules Minority Groups Can't Unite in Vote Dilution Claims

A divided federal appeals court has ruled that distinct minority groups cannot join together to claim their votes are diluted in redistricting cases under the Voting Rights Act. This ruling, which overturns a 1988 decision, emerged from a case in Galveston County, Texas, where Black and Latino groups had challenged district maps drawn by the county commission. Judge Edith Jones, writing for the majority, argued that such coalitions do not comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and are not supported by Supreme Court precedent.

The decision, which was made by a 12-6 vote, is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court. Dissenting Judge Dana Douglas criticized the ruling, asserting that it dismantles the effectiveness of the Voting Rights Act in this circuit. The dissenting judges included five appointed by Democratic presidents and one by a Republican president. The case had initially seen a federal district judge reject the maps, claiming they diluted minority strength, but the full court decided to reconsider the issue.