Building on OHOV's previous discussion of the Supreme Court's decision in Louisiana v. Callais, this webinar focused on how advocates, organizers, and communities can respond by engaging voters, advocating for redistricting, and continuing civic participation heading into the 2026 election cycle.
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NLIHC Vice President of Strategic Partnerships & Campaigns Chantelle Wilkinson opened the conversation by reflecting on the rapidly evolving voting rights landscape following Callais. Wilkinson noted that while the decision raised significant concerns about fair representation, advocates continue to secure important victories and identify new opportunities to organize, educate, and mobilize communities through nonpartisan civic engagement.
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Michael Li, Senior Counsel at the Brennan Center for Justice, provided an overview of the post-Callais landscape and explained how redistricting shapes representation and community voice. Li encouraged participants to view redistricting as more than a legal issue, emphasizing its direct impact on whether communities remain whole and have an opportunity to elect representatives of their choice. He also highlighted emerging developments across the South and urged organizations to remain engaged as new legal challenges and map-drawing efforts unfold ahead of the 2026 elections. Michael Li’s presentation slides can be found here.
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The webinar then shifted to the work happening on the ground. Waikinya Clanton, Mississippi State Director for the Southern Poverty Law Center, emphasized that meaningful civic engagement requires year-round investment in relationships, leadership development, and community trust. She encouraged attendees to center lived experience and equip residents with the tools to advocate for themselves and their communities.
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Monica Riley, Executive Director of the Alabama Alliance, shared lessons from Alabama's ongoing organizing efforts. Riley discussed the importance of coalition-building, local partnerships, and ensuring communities understand both their rights and their power. She highlighted the role that trusted messengers and community-based organizations play in helping residents navigate complex political environments while remaining engaged in shaping the policies that affect their lives.
Throughout the discussion, speakers reinforced that housing justice and democracy are deeply interconnected. Decisions about housing, public investment, and community well-being are shaped by those who participate in our democracy and whose voices are represented. While Louisiana v. Callais presents new challenges, panelists reminded attendees that communities can continue building power through education, engagement, and collective action.
Panelists reinforced that housing justice and democracy are deeply interconnected. Decisions about housing affordability, tenant protections, public investment, and community well-being are shaped by those who participate in our democracy and who have fair representation. Speakers emphasized that while the Callais ruling presents new challenges, organizers across the country continue to demonstrate that communities can build power through education, engagement, and collective action.
The webinar concluded with reflections from Tia Turner, NLIHC Project Manager for Our Homes, Our Votes, who encouraged participants to stay connected to OHOV's ongoing work and continue identifying opportunities to educate, engage, and mobilize communities through nonpartisan civic engagement efforts.
The recording of this webinar can be found here.
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Subscribe here to the Our Homes, Our Votes monthly newsletter to receive the latest updates on voting rights, civic engagement resources, upcoming webinars, and opportunities to take action at the intersection of housing justice and democracy.
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The next Our Homes, Our Votes webinar, “What’s Next for Housing Advocates After Louisiana v. Callais, will be on Monday, July 13, at 3:00 pm ET and will provide concrete, practical voter outreach strategies following the United States Supreme Court’s ruling. 
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Other resources shared during the webinar:
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