A major U.S. Supreme Court ruling has changed how courts evaluate minority vote dilution claims, creating a more complex legal landscape for cities that draw district and ward maps. Separately, cities under 50,000 residents are invited to a listening session on ADA website compliance ahead of the 2028 deadline.
Voting Rights Act Decision
Cities that elect officials through districts or wards face a more complicated legal landscape after a major U.S. Supreme Court ruling changed how courts evaluate minority vote dilution claims in redistricting. In Louisiana v. Callais, the Court held that plaintiffs bringing claims under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act must now show stronger evidence of intentional racial discrimination and must "disentangle race from politics" when challenging district maps.
The ruling is particularly important for cities that may have previously used race as a predominant factor in drawing or maintaining majority-minority districts. While the decision does not automatically invalidate existing maps, it may increase constitutional scrutiny of race-conscious districting while also making future Section 2 vote dilution claims more difficult. Cities should closely monitor the decision and consult legal counsel during future redistricting efforts.
> Learn more about the case and legal implications here.
> Register for Local Government Legal Center webinar on May 11, 2026 Elections: Local Government Roles and Responsibilities.
ADA Website Compliance Listening Session
If your city has a population below 50,000, please join the National League of Cities and the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy for a May 14 listening session to share feedback about your community's experiences with preparing for the upcoming compliance deadline. After successful advocacy efforts to secure an extension, smaller communities now have until April 26, 2028 to comply with the requirements of the Department of Justice's (DOJ) rule on accessibility standards for local government websites, apps, and other online content. Feedback shared will be used to inform advocacy to the DOJ around possible regulatory relief, guidance and technical assistance needed for small communities.