DENVER — The Supreme Court’s decision released this morning in Callais v. Louisiana significantly increases the threat of MAGA Republican gerrymandering nationwide, making efforts to fight back in Colorado more vital than ever.
“Today’s decision is a stark reminder that the fight for fair maps is not over — it’s just been shifted decisively to the states,” said Curtis Hubbard, Spokesman for Coloradans for a Level Playing Field. “We expected an aggressive push by Trump and his MAGA allies to use this moment to rig upcoming elections in their favor through manipulative map-drawing. This national threat makes our work in the Centennial State absolutely critical to safeguarding fair representation across the country.”
The Supreme Court’s action was anticipated by legal experts and carries profound implications for the future of democratic fairness. By limiting consideration of race in drawing voting maps, the decision is expected to embolden Republican-led efforts to aggressively redraw congressional districts in their favor, particularly in the South.
Florida lawmakers this week are considering a map that could net the GOP four more seats in Congress. Late last week, Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R) said he would call a special session to redraw congressional districts there 21 days after the Callais decision.
Fair Fight Action estimates the Callais ruling creates a favorable legal landscape for Republicans to gerrymander up to 19 more seats in Congress at the expense of minority voters.
To counter Trump’s mid-decade redistricting scheme and the likelihood of the Supreme Court’s decision in Callais, Coloradans for a Level Playing Field is pursuing initiatives to ask Colorado voters this fall to approve a temporary congressional map for the 2028 and 2030 elections, which could allow Democrats to pick up to 3 more seats in the state. The state would resume independent redistricting following the next Census.
“Today’s ruling highlights the need for Coloradans to rally behind our initiatives to level the playing field,” Hubbard said. “These reforms are designed to ensure accountability and fairness as Trump and his MAGA allies continue their efforts to rig elections in their favor nationwide.”