The ACLU is urging Louisianans to vote in U.S. House races as legal challenges to the canceled elections move through the courts.

Why it matters: The House candidates remain on the ballot for early voting, even though Gov. Jeff Landry canceled congressional elections last week.

The big picture: Landry's decision is causing confusion that could lead to fewer people casting ballots, says Sarah Brannon, the deputy director of the ACLU Voting Rights Projects.

• That's especially concerning in Louisiana, which already has low voter turnout, says Ashley Shelton, the president and CEO of Power Coalition for Equity and Justice.
• In response, they're urging voters to cast ballots early in all the races.
• "This is all still being litigated, and what we can do is vote our entire ballot, no matter what the governor has said," Shelton says.

The latest: Shelton and other voter rights advocates yesterday said they are challenging Landry's justification for canceling the primary — which he called an "electoral emergency."

• Added state Sen. Royce Duplessis, "This is not a natural disaster. This is not an emergency. ... It's shameful, it's irresponsible and it's reckless."
• The ACLU and various candidates have asked the courts to let the election proceed, arguing the next election can use the redrawn maps.

The other side: Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill, in a statement, say the state is legally prevented from holding elections with the current map because the U.S. Supreme Court ruled it unconstitutional.

The intrigue: The ACLU says early votes in the U.S. House race could still count if the court blocks Landry's decision.

Zoom in: Early voting is happening now for the May 16 primaries. Some races are closed, meaning you must be registered with a party or choose one as an unaffiliated voter.

• Statewide, voters are deciding on constitutional amendments.
• In Orleans, Jefferson and St. Tammany parishes, voters also have Senate, House, BESE, Public Service Commission and court races.
• Kenner and Slidell residents have mayoral, council and police chief races.
• See your sample ballot.

What's next: State lawmakers could take up redistricting this month, after the Supreme Court yesterday fast-tracked its Callais decision, allowing it to go into effect immediately instead of waiting the usual 32 days.

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Calvin Duncan's status as clerk of Orleans Parish Criminal Court is in flux after dueling court rulings.

Why it matters: The legal back-and-forth comes amid a wave of major court cases that voting rights groups say could disenfranchise Black voters.

The big picture: Duncan started work yesterday morning after a judge late Sunday blocked a law eliminating the position.

• Soon after, the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in the state's favor.
• Attorney General Liz Murrill claimed victory in a statement, saying Chelsey Richard Napoleon, the clerk of Orleans Parish Civil Court, is now responsible for all clerk duties.
• Duncan's team told The Times-Picayune that by midday yesterday he had "ceased acting" as criminal clerk.

Yes, but: Alanah Odoms, the executive director of the ACLU of Louisiana, argues the ruling came too late.

• The group will challenge the 5th Circuit's ruling, she says, all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if needed.

A big week in court

Zoom out: It's one of several pivotal court cases this week involving Louisiana.

• The biggest one was the Supreme Court decision (Louisiana v. Callais) that deemed the state's congressional map unconstitutional and has major implications for voter rights.

The courts also ruled on Louisiana's challenge to teleprescribing and mail-order prescriptions for mifepristone, which can be used for abortions.

• The 5th Circuit sided with Louisiana on Friday, blocking access to the medication.
• Then, yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court temporarily reinstated access, writes Axios' Adriel Bettelheim.

In state court, a grand jury charged Orleans Parish Sheriff Susan Hutson with crimes related to last year's jailbreak. She says she'll fight to clear her name.

• Michelle Woodfork was sworn in yesterday as the new sheriff.
• She's left with a budget crisis, which her predecessor says prevented overdue security upgrades at the jail.

State of play: Odoms says the recent decisions from the Supreme Court and the governor are part of state and national efforts to "attack Black political participation" and silence voters.

• "This is Reconstruction Era tactics," Odoms says.

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📺 Scot Pilié is WDSU's newest chief meteorologist, the station announced yesterday. The Jesuit grad says he is "beyond excited."

• Pilié previously worked for The Weather Channel, several Louisiana stations and NOLA.com.
• The WDSU job has been a hot potato since Margaret Orr retired in 2024. Damon Singleton was expected to be next in line but retired when he wasn't promoted. He's now the meteorologist at NOLA.com.
• Devon Lucie then held the role, but was put on leave after a domestic violence arrest.

🌊 New Orleanians should start relocating, a new study says. It estimates the city may be surrounded by the Gulf before the end of this century because of sea-level rise and wetland erosion. (The Guardian)

🔫 NOPD is not signing a long-term contract with ShotSpotter, after officials say the gunshot detection system only led to one arrest during the trial period. (The Times-Picayune 🔒)

• JPSO also stopped using the technology, saying it wasn't cost-effective.

⚖️ Britney Spears, a Kentwood native, avoided jail time yesterday after pleading guilty to a lesser charge in a DUI case. (AP)

About 475,000 fans attended Jazz Fest this year, organizers say.

• It's more than last year but lower than 2024, when the Rolling Stones played, The Times-Picayune reports.