This is Brian Lairr's Daily Politics Podcast from WNYC Studios. It's Thursday, June 8th.

This is Bridget Bergen filling in for Brian Lair on WNYC today. As we mentioned last week,

this is Supreme Court watching season

as they try to issue opinions in all the remaining cases of this term by the end of the month.

The court issued four opinions today, one of which could have a big impact going forward and in a very

surprising way. In the voting rights case, Allen v. Milligan,

the court agreed that Alabama's congressional district maps violated the Voting Rights Act.

We're joined once again by Ellie Mistal, Justice Correspondent for the nation and author of

Allow Me to Retort, a Black Guy's Guide to the Constitution,

who has agreed to keep watch with this month.

Welcome back, Ellie.

Hey, Bridget.

I am still kind of picking my jaw up off the floor.

Well, I think you told Brian last week

that June is the worst month of your life

because you have to read all these lousy opinions,

but do you feel a little better about it today?

Indeed. I might go outside. Well, not outside in this weather, but you know what I mean.

I might have some ice cream today. Like that, that's how shocked I was. Look, the bottom line,

Bridget, is that John Roberts has been an enemy of voting rights for black people

for his entire career. At every point, as a lawyer and a judge, he has voted to weaken or

eviscerate the Voting Rights Act. He's never voted to affirm it until today, until 10, 11 this morning when he cited with, he and Brett

...