Voting in the South: A Moment of Activation
This is a moment of activation. A moment to stand up and show the South — and this country — that you stand with justice organizations across this region.
The Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais is their version of dropping a bomb on the power of the Black vote. It sent a rippling message across this country to every oppressive legislator: now is the time to redraw lines, exclude marginalized communities, and silence Black people across the South.
GSP has said for a long time that some of the most egregious laws are created and tested in the South first. This moment proves that truth in real time and the timing, right before the midterm elections, is no mistake. It is meant to upend and disrupt the midterms by further disenfranchising Black and Brown voters — AND by misleading and discouraging those who are already reluctant, making them believe their votes don’t count.
This is not by chance. Those who oppose a South that works for everyone can see their power eroding. Rather than expand democracy, they are choosing to manipulate it — using confusion, suppression, and structural barriers to hold on to control. This is not just grounded in what we’ve seen but what is supported by data. According to the article “Cost to Voting in American States,” published in the American Law Journal, the 2024 election numbers indicate that 8 of the 15 hardest states to vote in are in the South.
This decision will not stay contained to Louisiana. It is rippling across Southern states — Georgia, Tennessee, Alabama, Texas, Mississippi, right now! Emboldening legislatures to push even further in drawing maps that dilute Black voting power and weaken representation. What happens here will shape the political landscape of the entire region. And let’s be clear: this is not just about maps. This is about power. It is about who gets elected, whose voices are heard, and which communities receive the resources they need to thrive. Please understand 60% of all Black people live in the South. Therefore, when Black voting strength is weakened, it directly impacts decisions around healthcare, education, economic investment, and the future of our communities.
Your Next Step:
This is not the time for funders to panic, it’s a time for you to follow the lead of Southern Movements. Many justice organizations across the South have been preparing for this moment. They have the analysis, research and data to guide what comes next. So please do not spend time developing your own. It will waste time and precious resources.
Justice organizations across the South — along with many others — are already offering clear direction in this moment.
- Listen to them.
- Stand in lockstep with them.
- Allow them to lead.
They are closest to the work. They understand the landscape in the South. They have the solutions and are clear about what needs to happen next.
Our role is not to reinvent the strategy — it is to follow, resource, and move in alignment with the leadership that has been doing this work all along.