A Supreme Court case could reshape the Voting Rights Act—and determine whether women of color can continue gaining ground in political representation.
For nearly 60 years, the Voting Rights Act has served as the cornerstone of representative democracy, ensuring that communities, regardless of race or background, have a fair opportunity to elect candidates who reflect their interests and shared experiences. Today, that cornerstone is being tested.
Wednesday’s oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais signaled just how much is at stake for our democracy—and for women’s representation. The case challenges Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, a key provision that guards against vote dilution by prohibiting racially discriminatory district maps and election practices that weaken the voices of communities of color.
When those protections are strong, women of color are better positioned not only to participate in elections but also to win them, bringing new perspectives and priorities into government. Weakening Section 2 would silence voices already underrepresented in power, particularly those of women whose leadership has long been the backbone of democratic progress.
As Glynda Carr, co-founder, president, and CEO of Higher Heights—the political home for Black women and candidates—reminds us:
“Black women are a powerful force in the American political system, and their political power at the polls and on the ballot continues to grow and is increasingly recognized as the force it is.”
That force—built on generations of civic engagement and community leadership — has reshaped elections and strengthened democracy nationwide. Yet the systems meant to support equal participation and representation have not kept pace.
RepresentWomen’s 2025 Gender Parity Index underscores this connection. The states most affected by this Supreme Court case, especially Louisiana, already lag behind the rest of the nation in women’s political representation. Louisiana consistently received an “F” grade from 2019 through 2023, improving only to a “D” in 2024 and 2025. Despite that modest progress, the state still ranks 44th overall, with women holding just 24 percent of legislative seats and only two of twelve statewide executive offices.
Rolling back Section 2 would not only harm communities of color—it would also threaten these fragile gains and stall the very cycle of progress that moves us closer to parity
This commentary originally appeared in RepresentWomen’s e-newsletter.
