Merrill v. Milligan is a case brought by several plaintiffs challenging Congressional Districts in 

Alabama. Alabama only has one majority-Black district despite having about a 25% Black population. The plaintiffs, led by Milligan argue that Black voters have been deliberately packed into a single district to dilute their voting power. The plaintiffs argue that this is unlawful under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. 

If Milligan’s position wins, the plaintiffs would be able to have a second majority-Black district in the state.

If Alabama (AL Secretary of State John Merrill in this case) wins, it would have huge repercussions for voting rights lawsuits going forward. It would limit the Voting Rights Act’s reach even further, restricting so-called vote dilution claims like this and making it easier to racially gerrymandered districts.