Louisiana will start redrawing congressional map this week
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Louisiana lawmakers are set to begin work on a new congressional map Friday, per the Louisiana Illuminator.
Why it matters: The redrawn map will likely cut the number of majority-Black U.S. House districts in the state, putting either Troy Carter or Cleo Fields at risk of losing their seats.
The big picture: The state Senate committee that oversees redistricting meets Friday to hear public comment, writes Piper Hutchinson with the Illuminator.
- The committee will then reconvene early next week to vote on a map. If one is approved, it will go to the Senate.
- Sen. Caleb Kleinpeter, a Republican who chairs the committee, told Hutchinson they will likely favor a map that keeps the majority-Black district based in Baton Rouge, while eliminating the one in New Orleans.
- Fields, who was elected last year, represents the Baton Rouge district, while Carter represents the New Orleans one.
What he's saying: Carter, in a statement Tuesday, reiterated that the state deserves two seats where Black voters get a say in who represents them.
How it works: Louisiana is divided into six voting districts for the U.S. House. See the map.
- Four are majority-white and are represented by white Republicans: Steve Scalise, Mike Johnson, Clay Higgins and Julia Letlow.
- Two are majority-Black and have Black Democratic leaders: Carter and Fields.
- Fields' district was added in response to a lawsuit from Black voters — who make up roughly 30% of the state's population — arguing they were underrepresented.
Catch up quick: The Supreme Court's 6-3 decision a week ago says Louisiana's use of race in creating a second majority-Black congressional district was an "unconstitutional racial gerrymander," writes Axios' Josephine Walker.
- After lawmakers adopted the map in 2024, a group of non-Black voters challenged it, accusing lawmakers of relying too heavily on race.
- A three-judge panel agreed, setting the stage for the high court's ruling last week.
- The court fast-tracked the decision Monday at Louisiana's request, allowing the ruling to go into effect immediately instead of waiting the usual 32 days.
State of play: Gov. Jeff Landry says the new map needs to be in place for the now-delayed congressional election.
- Voting rights advocates disagree, saying the election was already happening when the SCOTUS ruling was handed down. They are suing to allow the election to continue.
- Early voting is underway in other races for the May 16 primaries.
- The House primaries will be July 15, Hutchinson reports, unless lawmakers select another date.
- Lawmakers told her it's still up for debate whether the delayed election will be open or semi-closed.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with a comment from Congressman Troy Carter.