Louisiana Statehouse committee begins redrawing congressional maps after primary suspension
Updated
Updated · PBS NewsHour · May 7
Louisiana Statehouse committee begins redrawing congressional maps after primary suspension
12 articles · Updated · PBS NewsHour · May 7
The Senate and Governmental Affairs committee meets at 9 a.m. in Baton Rouge as early voting continues and about 40,000 mail ballots already cast in House races remain uncounted.
The Supreme Court struck down Louisiana's six-district map as an illegal racial gerrymander, and Governor Jeff Landry halted the May 16 U.S. House primaries while the Senate contest proceeds.
The committee chairman is considering a map with one majority-Black district instead of two, potentially preserving Cleo Fields's seat, while voters report confusion and Fields warns of wider national redistricting effects.
With 40,000 votes discarded, how will Louisiana ensure every citizen's voice is heard in its rescheduled House election?
The Supreme Court has redefined voting rights law. What does a 'fair' congressional map look like now?
After the Supreme Court's landmark ruling, what power does the Voting Rights Act have left to ensure fair representation?
Supreme Court Triggers Louisiana Election Emergency: Redistricting, Legal Chaos, and Threats to Minority Voting Power
Overview
Louisiana’s election crisis began when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled on April 29, 2026, that the state’s 2024 congressional map was an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. The Court’s expedited decision created urgency and forced the state legislature to redraw the districts. In response, Governor Jeff Landry, acting on a certified electoral emergency, suspended the upcoming U.S. House primary elections. This sudden move led to confusion among voters, legal challenges, and heated public debate, as lawmakers and communities grappled with the need for new maps and the broader impact on fair representation and voting rights.