By Tia Turner, NLIHC
The way voting districts are drawn can determine whether communities have a meaningful opportunity to elect representatives who understand and respond to their concerns. This makes redistricting an important issue for renters and housing advocates.
In April 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Louisiana v. Callais, a case involving the drawing of congressional districts in Louisiana and the application of Section 2 of the “Voting Rights Act.” The case challenged Louisiana’s creation of a second majority-Black congressional district.
The SCOTUS did not eliminate Section 2 of the VRA. However, the decision changed the legal landscape surrounding racial considerations in redistricting and weakened an important protection for voters of color. NLIHC has raised concerns that the decision could make it more difficult to challenge maps that dilute the voting power of communities of color and could weaken fair representation. (National Low Income Housing Coalition; https://tr.ee/RX45qA)
Why Does This Matter to Renters?
Representation matters because elected officials make decisions about the resources and policies affecting communities. When communities have fewer opportunities to elect representatives who reflect their interests, they may also have less influence over decisions affecting housing, transportation, economic opportunity, and other conditions that shape residents’ lives.
The effects of Louisiana v. Callais extend beyond Louisiana. Redistricting continues to evolve in states across the country, with legal and political developments shaping congressional and state legislative maps ahead of the 2026 elections. (National Low Income Housing Coalition; https://tr.ee/RX45qA)
For renters, the takeaway is simple: where district lines are drawn can influence whose voices are represented in government. Staying informed about redistricting and understanding changes to voting districts can help renters know which races and elected officials will appear on their ballots.
Voting Is About More Than Presidential Elections
Voting matters at every level of government, not just during presidential elections.
Federal elections determine who represents communities in Congress and who makes decisions about national housing programs and funding. State elections can determine policies affecting tenant protections, housing development, voting access, and public benefits. Local elections can have an immediate impact on zoning, affordable housing development, transportation, property taxes, and community resources.
Many state and local elections also include ballot measures, allowing voters to directly weigh in on policies and funding decisions. These measures can have significant consequences for renters and communities experiencing housing instability.
Yet turnout is often lower in state and local elections. When fewer people vote, the electorate can become less representative of the broader community.
The 2026 elections provide a particularly important opportunity for renters to participate. With all 435 U.S. House seats, 33 Senate seats, 36 governorships, more than 6,100 state legislative seats, and thousands of local offices on the ballot, voters will have opportunities to shape decisions at every level of government. (NCSL; https://tr.ee/ct4Xjm)
Renter participation matters throughout the entire election cycle, not only in presidential years!
“Voting matters at every level of government, not just during presidential elections.”