Jesse Jackson's Death Arrives at Crucial Moment for Black Political Power

The civil rights leader's passing comes as the Supreme Court weighs the future of the Voting Rights Act.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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The death of civil rights leader Rev. Jesse Jackson comes at a pivotal moment, as the Supreme Court is set to rule on a case that could significantly weaken the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Black voters have become increasingly influential within the Democratic Party, with more Black senators serving than ever before, but the future of Black representation in the House of Representatives is uncertain.

Why it matters

The Supreme Court case could lead to the loss of about a dozen majority-minority districts across the South, many of which are currently held by Black lawmakers. This, combined with recent Republican-led redistricting efforts that have eliminated districts with Black House representatives, threatens to erode Black political power at a crucial time.

The details

The Supreme Court case centers on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits election or voting practices that discriminate on the basis of race. This guidance has led to the creation of majority-minority districts to help voters of color elect candidates of their choice. If the court strikes down this provision, Democrats could lose around a dozen of these districts. Several Republican-led states have already eliminated districts with Black House representatives during the current gerrymandering battle.

  • The Supreme Court is set to rule on the Voting Rights Act case in the coming months.
  • Oral arguments in the case were heard in October 2025.

The players

Rev. Jesse Jackson

A prominent civil rights leader whose death comes at a crucial moment for Black political power.

Raphael Warnock

A Democratic senator from Georgia and the pastor of the historic Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta.

Brett M. Kavanaugh

A Supreme Court justice who expressed skepticism about the need for race-based remedies in the Voting Rights Act case.

Ben Carson

A former housing secretary in the Trump administration who has voiced support for the Voting Rights Act.

Jaime Harrison

A former chairman of the Democratic National Committee and the South Carolina Democratic Party.

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What they’re saying

“We are witnessing right now in real time the kind of attack on voting rights that really does harken back to the darkest days of the civil rights struggle.”

— Raphael Warnock, Democratic senator from Georgia (New York Times)

“I think the Voting Rights Act is very important — it's an important part of our history. We should unite around that fact and not let ourselves be divided.”

— Ben Carson, Former housing secretary (New York Times)

“The Black vote has been determinative in the presidential primary. As the first domino falls in South Carolina, it falls the same way across the rest of the South.”

— Jaime Harrison, Former Democratic party chairman (New York Times)

What’s next

The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the Voting Rights Act case in the coming months, which will determine the fate of a key provision of the landmark civil rights legislation.

The takeaway

The death of Rev. Jesse Jackson comes at a pivotal moment for Black political power, as the Supreme Court weighs the future of the Voting Rights Act and Republican-led redistricting efforts threaten to erode Black representation in Congress. The outcome of these battles will have significant implications for the political influence of Black Americans in the years ahead.