Why Louisiana paused its US House primary election amid redistricting push
Summary
Louisiana has paused its US House primary elections because a recent Supreme Court ruling requires the state to redraw its congressional districts. The ruling found that the previous map, which created two Black-majority districts, was unconstitutional under new standards and led the governor to delay the vote until a new map is approved.Key Facts
- Louisiana was set to hold primary elections for US House districts, US Senate, state Supreme Court, and local offices on Thursday.
- The US House primaries were paused by Governor Jeff Landry after a Supreme Court ruling on April 29.
- The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 to undo a key part of the Voting Rights Act that protected Black voting power from being weakened.
- The Court found Louisiana’s January 2024 congressional map, which created a second Black-majority district, unconstitutional.
- The ruling means districts can only be challenged if racist intent is clearly shown, which critics say is very hard to prove.
- Governor Landry said pausing the election would protect voter rights and allow time to create a lawful new map.
- Republicans in the Louisiana State Senate have started working on a new congressional map.
- Civil rights groups argue the pause harms voters, especially those who have already voted or planned to vote absentee, and may cause confusion and disenfranchisement.
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