theminoritypress.com(New Orleans, La) — A federal judge in Baton Rouge has suggested that the 2022 map likely violates the Voting Rights Act by dispersing the state’s Black population among five districts, potentially diluting their voting power. Louisiana currently has five white Republican House members and one Black Democratic member, all elected under this contested map.
In response to legal challenges, the Louisiana Legislature created a new district that spans the state, linking Black populations from different regions. However, self-identified non-African American voters have contested this new map, arguing that it was unconstitutionally drawn with race as the primary consideration.
With upcoming elections looming, the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office has emphasized the urgency of establishing new districts by May 15. State lawyers have been tasked with assessing the feasibility of enacting a new congressional map during the ongoing legislative session.
Failure to establish a new map could prompt federal judges to impose one, potentially reshaping the state’s congressional representation. Various proposals have been suggested, including creating a more compact district covering the eastern part of the state or proposing alternative maps by academic experts.
In light of these developments, stakeholders await further guidance from the courts and state officials regarding the future of Louisiana’s congressional election map and its implications for voter representation.
