Redistricting is a process in which, after the census is conducted at the start of every decade, state legislatures evaluate and redraw their state’s electoral maps, usually to account for changes in population and shifting demographics as people move out of state or consolidate in different urban areas. These maps determine the districts to which residents are assigned when they vote on who will represent them in federal, state, and local government bodies. Redistricting determines the boundaries for congressional districts, state legislative districts, and local districts, like school boards, city councils, and county commissions. It also sometimes determines those for other statewide or sub-state bodies, such as state boards of education, utility commissions, and judicial districts.
Electoral maps can hide mechanisms to silence Black voters and drastically impact Black voters’ opportunities to elect candidates of their choice who understand their experiences and will prioritize policies that communities desire. Disproportionate representation and the “packing and cracking” of Black voters in and out of districts can shut Black voters out of the political process, both infringing on their right to participate equally in their democracy and potentially diminishing their trust in their government. The district you vote in can affect every part of your life. And fair legislative maps mean you have an opportunity to make positive changes in areas that impact you every day. Fair maps mean having a voice in lower prices, better schools, safer streets, accessible health care, fresher food, and so much more. Fair maps mean a chance to make lasting changes for the better.
LDF has been on the frontlines to defend all voters’ right to fair representation at every level of government. Discriminatory redistricting maps are a catalyst for oppressive legislation that targets our most vulnerable and historically abused communities. However, we know that when diverse communities are fairly represented, quality of life improves for all. Achieving equal representation and being able to cast equal and effective votes depends in part on redistricting maps that are drawn fairly to reflect and respect our communities.
Here, we’ve compiled a state-by-state look at our work to fight for fair maps and fair representation at every level. Since the redistricting process kicked off in 2021, LDF been working tirelessly to ensure equal representation in Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia.
On Feb. 23, a federal judge denied a motion to dismiss the Legal Defense Fund (LDF)’s lawsuit alleging that the Madison County, Alabama, County
Yesterday, in a victory for the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and our clients, a federal court in Alabama permanently blocked the Jefferson County Commission
Read a PDF of our statement here. A federal court has unanimously ordered that Alabama must continue to use an independently drawn congressional map for
CONTACT: Ella Wiley, ACLU, media@aclu.org, 925-819-0555 Troi Barnes, LDF, media@ldf.org. 929-736-1528 A federal court has ruled after a full trial that Alabama’s 2023 congressional
Madison County, Ala. — Today, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and Wiggins, Childs, Pantazis, Fisher & Goldfarb filed a lawsuit against the Madison County
McClure v. Jefferson County Commission and Racial Gerrymandering FAQ Power is on the line in Jefferson County, Alabama The McClure v. Jefferson County Commission
Today, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) sent a letter to the Fayette County, Georgia Board of Commissioners (BOC) concerning the
Today, Legal Defense Fund (LDF) President and Director-Counsel Janai Nelson argued before the U.S. Supreme Court in Louisiana v. Callais, a case about equal
Case: Voting Rights and Redistricting Louisiana v. Callais Protecting fair representation for Black voters in Louisiana and safeguarding the Voting Rights Act Supreme Court
CONTACT: Ella Wiley, media@aclu.org, 925-819-0555 Troi Barnes, tbarnes@naacpldf.org, 929-736-1528 NEW ORLEANS — In a victory for Black voters and democracy in Louisiana, the Fifth
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an order to reargue the case of Louisiana v. Callais and will issue an order
CONTACT: Troi Barnes, LDF, 929-736-1528, tbarnes@naacpldf.org Ella Wiley, ACLU, ewiley@aclu.org Ali DeFazio, ACLU of Louisiana, media@laaclu.org WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Legal Defense Fund
Case: Voting Rights and Redistricting Louisiana v. Callais FAQ What you need to know about LDF’s redistricting case before the Supreme Court and its
Trial began today in Harris v. DeSoto County in federal court in the Northern District of Mississippi, where the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) is
Case: Voting Rights and Redistricting Harris v. DeSoto County Combating a Racially Discriminatory Voting Map in Mississippi Filed: Sept. 24, 2024 Trial Begins: Feb.
Media: Legal Defense Fund (LDF): media@naacpldf.org ACLU-MS: comms@aclu-ms.org Harvard Election Law Clinic: elc@law.harvard.edu Today, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), American Civil Liberties Union of
Today, the Legal Defense Fund, Gulfport Branch of the NAACP, Southern Poverty Law Center, and One Voice sent a letter to the Harrison County,
Today, the Legal Defense Fund sent a letter to the Gulfport City, Mississippi Council regarding redistricting plans and urging members to adopt Community Plan
Today, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., with co-counsel Hogan Lovells and Fred Banks, filed an amicus brief in the U.S. District
A virtual media briefing with plaintiffs and the legal team will be held at 1 p.m. E.T. TODAY. Please register to attend here. Media Contacts:
WASHINGTON — This morning, oral arguments concluded in Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, the U.S. Supreme Court case that will
CONTACT: Inga Sarda-Sorensen, ACLU, 347-514-3984, isarda-sorensen@aclu.org Ella Wiley, Legal Defense Fund, 212-965-2200, media@naacpldf.org WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court today said it will hear
The Legal Defense Fund (LDF), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU of South Carolina, and Arnold & Porter filed a motion today in the
COLUMBIA, S.C. — A federal court today ordered South Carolina to redraw its 2021 enacted congressional map, ruling that a district anchored in Charleston
Today, the Legal Defense Fund, the Western York Branch, and the South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP sent a letter to the York,
Read a PDF of our statement here. Today, after succeeding in convincing county lawmakers to pass a new map that provides fair representation to
Case: Voting Rights and Redistricting NAACP Fayette-Somerville Branch, et al. v. Fayette County, Tennessee, et al. Fighting for fair maps and representation in Fayette
Today, the Legal Defense Fund and Donati Law, PLLC filed a lawsuit on behalf of 5 individual Black voters and the Fayette-Somerville Branch of
Update: After this decision, on Dec. 4, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed this injunction, meaning that the unconstitutional Texas map will remain in place
Today, nonprofit, nonpartisan civil rights and racial justice organizations, led by the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), filed an amicus brief in support of the
Today, the Texas Legislature passed a new congressional map that further weakens electoral opportunities for Black Texans and other voters of color in the
Today, the Legal Defense Fund (“LDF”), Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute (“BJLI”), Houston Area Urban League (“HAUL”), Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, (the “Deltas”), Black
On August 17, 2025 the Legal Defense Fund; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; the Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute; the Houston Area Urban League; Black
On August 18, 2025 the Legal Defense Fund; Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated; the Barbara Jordan Leadership Institute; the Houston Area Urban League; Black
At the Supreme Court, LDF argued that a congressional map that was in place during the 2024 election cycle should remain because it satisfies both the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
This piece explores how three states with discriminatory maps have shirked their responsibilities to their constituents, paving the way for the passage of oppressive legislation.
Understanding the role of race in the redistricting process as a means of ensuring equitable representation and political power is critical.
Despite its major influence on elections and people’s lives, however, redistricting is complicated and easily misunderstood. We break down how redistricting works and how communities canengage
We’ve compiled answers to frequently asked questions about the seminal U.S. Supreme Court case Allen v. Milligan and its impact on voting rights and redistricting.
LDF Report
LDF, MALDEF, and AAJC published a guide to the redistricting process, outlining how communities can get involved and advocate for fair maps.
