In a divisive ruling, a federal appeals court in New Orleans has declared that distinct minority groups cannot form coalitions to assert that their votes are diluted in redistricting cases under the Voting Rights Act. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, known for its jurisdiction over cases from Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, made this unprecedented decision, acknowledging that it was overturning years of its own precedent.

The case in question arose in Galveston County, Texas, where Black and Latino groups had joined forces to challenge district maps drawn by the county commission. Initially, a federal district judge had rejected the controversial maps, citing their potential to dilute minority strength. However, a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit Court initially upheld the decision before the full court decided to reevaluate the issue, culminating in a final 12-6 verdict on Thursday.

In a majority opinion authored by Judge Edith Jones, it was argued that such challenges by minority coalitions "do not comport" with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and are not supported by Supreme Court precedent. The ruling marks a notable departure from a 1988 decision by the 5th Circuit, and it is expected that the case will be appealed to the Supreme Court, further intensifying the ongoing debate over minority voting rights.

Jones emphasized that Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act does not explicitly allow for multiple minority groups to merge their efforts in pursuing a vote dilution claim. Instead, the statute specifically refers to "a class," singular in nature, as the subject of a vote dilution claim. This interpretation was endorsed by 11 other judges on the court who were nominated by Republican presidents.

The dissenting voice came from five judges nominated by Democratic presidents and one nominated by a Republican president. Judge Dana Douglas, one of the dissenters, lamented that the majority's decision undermined the effectiveness of the Voting Rights Act in the circuit and disregarded long-standing methods of statutory interpretation. She also noted the historical significance of Galveston County in the Juneteenth celebrations that commemorate the emancipation of enslaved Black people.

The 5th Circuit's ruling has sparked concerns among advocates for voting rights, who argue that it may weaken the protections offered by the Voting Rights Act. As this divisive decision is likely to be appealed to the Supreme Court, the nation awaits the final outcome, which could have far-reaching implications for the future of redistricting cases and the ability of minority groups to challenge alleged vote dilution.