Race remains the hidden driver in US redistricting, study finds

A College of Charleston study argues that in Southern states race is a stronger predictor of voting behavior than party and that mapmakers have strong incentives to use racial data to gain partisan advantage, even after the Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling urged race-neutral redistricting. The findings suggest race could continue to shape how districts are drawn, despite claims of colorblind mapmaking, and indicate more litigation as challengers argue race was a predominant factor.