We are facing a pivotal moment for US voting rights. Policies like the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, President Donald Trump’s executive order on elections, and legislation in more than two dozen states could upend the way Americans register to vote. 

Proponents say this step is necessary to ensure only eligible Americans are voting in elections, even though there are many long-standing practices in place that have effectively met this desire.

Let’s be clear: efforts like the SAVE Act aren’t about safeguarding elections, they’re about silencing voters.  

On March 24, 2025, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in Louisiana v. Callais. The case has massive implications for voting rights and democracy, as it involves two related but distinct concepts: racial vote dilution and racial gerrymandering.  

The easiest way to separate these two ideas is to examine the winding path Callais took to end up at the Supreme Court.