BREAKING AT SCOTUS: in a blow to voting rights, justices vote 5-4 to PERMIT Alabama to use a gerrymandered congressional map that dilutes voting influence of African Americans. A major victory for Republicans.
Chief Justice Roberts dissents, along with the three liberal justices.
Justice Kagan ends her dissent, joined by Breyer and Sotomayor, reiterating themes she has voiced before: the illegitimacy of resolving such crucial questions on the shadow docket, and the anti-democratic results of permitting racial gerrymanders. 
The five justices do not issue a majority explanation for the ruling. Only Justices Kavanaugh and Alito write a statement concurring in the decision. There is some Snark, more aggressive than usual, replying to justice Kagan.
The majority’s order is provisional “pending further order of the Court”, so it isn’t the final word. But it’s effectively a nail in the coffin for those challenging Alabama’s map.
But to be clear, the 2022 election for Congress in Alabama will move ahead with Alabama‘s current map—which gives the 27% of black voters in the state a chance to select only one 1 of 7 representatives.
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