Louisiana gov.-elect plans for special session to redraw congressional map after court ruling

FILE – The Louisiana state Capitol stands prominently, April 4, 2023, in Baton Rouge, La. Lawmakers in Louisiana’s Republican-dominated Legislature have opted to return to the Capitol for a veto session to begin July 18, 2023, in an attempt to override Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ recent bill rejections, which included blocking a gender-affirming care ban for transgender youths and the state’s version of “Don’t Say Gay” legislation. (AP Photo/Stephen Smith, File)

by: Allison Bruhl, Shannon Heckt

Posted: Nov 10, 2023 / 04:00 PM CST

Updated: Nov 10, 2023 / 04:54 PM CST

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — A federal judge ruled that Louisiana must draw a new congressional map by mid-January.

According to a Nov. 10 filing in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth District, the Louisiana Legislature has until Jan. 15, 2024, to enact a new congressional redistricting map that has two majority-minority districts.

The appeals court’s ruling is not a final decision on the merits of the original map.

“Redistricting is a state legislative function,” said Gov.-elect Jeff Landry in a statement Friday. “Based on today’s ruling, I will call for a special session so our Legislature may resolve this issue.”

In October, The Hill reported that the Supreme Court denied two emergency requests to restart the redrawing of the state’s congressional map.

The Louisiana Legislature passed a congressional map in 2022 that only had one majority-minority district despite 33% of the state’s population being Black.

“As I have said all along, Louisiana can and should have a congressional map that represents our voting population, which is one-third Black,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said Friday. “This is about simple math, basic fairness, and the rule of law. With the 5th Circuit’s action today, I remain confident that we will have a fair map with two majority Black districts before the congressional elections next year.”