Louisiana lawmakers to consider changing 2026 election schedule ahead of redistricting court ruling

BATON ROUGE La AP A day after the U S Supreme Court heard arguments in a major redistricting circumstance centering on Louisiana s congressional map which has two majority-Black districts Republican Gov Jeff Landry informed that he is calling state lawmakers back to the Capitol to consider changes to next year s balloting schedule plans and code If the court strikes down the current political boundaries pushing back the electoral contest schedule and deadlines could allow the GOP-dominated Legislature more time to craft a new map Unlike past special sessions called by Landry there is only one item listed in his proclamation To legislate relative to the referendum code referendum dates voting process deadlines and referendum plans for the voting cycle and to provide for the funding thereof if necessary The special session is scheduled to begin Oct and must conclude by the evening of Nov The Republican-led challenge before the high court is a development that could conclusion in the weakening of a key tool of the Voting Rights Act which helped root out racial discrimination in voting for more than a half century The current map is the product of a hard-fought battle by civil rights groups who say Black voter strength previously when only one of the state s six congressional districts was a majority-minority district That was the episode even though Black residents account for about one-third of Louisiana s population But opponents argue that the state s new second Black majority congressional district which helped flipped a reliably red congressional seat to blue was unconstitutionally gerrymandered based on race During Wednesday s arguments the Supreme Court s six conservative justices seemed inclined to effectively strike down a Black majority congressional district in Louisiana because it relied too heavily on race If the court overturns the map the ruling could open the door for legislatures to redraw congressional districts in Southern states helping Republicans by eliminating majority Black and Latino districts that tend to favor Democrats The court is expected to rule by early summer in Source