Anger, confusion as Louisiana Republicans move to erase majority-Black US House district
Republican lawmakers are weighing maps that could erase one or both of Louisiana’s two majority-Black districts after a Supreme Court ruling.
- On Friday, May 8, the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee heard testimony on new congressional map proposals at the State Capitol, drawing hundreds of protesters. Chairman Caleb Kleinpeter convened the hearing after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered Louisiana to redraw its districts.
- The U.S. Supreme Court ruled on April 29 that Louisiana's 2024 map was an "unconstitutional racial gerrymander." Following the decision, Governor Jeff Landry suspended the May 16 U.S. House primary elections, creating voter confusion.
- Leona Tate, one of the "New Orleans Four," testified that the proposed maps brought back "harrowing memories" of segregation. Tensions flared during the eight-hour hearing as protesters chanted outside and security blocked access after a heated exchange.
- Senator Jay Morris proposed plans that would likely result in Republicans winning all six districts, while Sen. Ed Price introduced a map maintaining two majority-Black districts. Price argued his proposal is more compact than the struck-down version.
- The committee did not vote on any proposals Friday but could do so as early as next week. Activists and Democratic lawmakers continue urging voter participation despite widespread confusion over the suspended primary elections.
6 Articles
6 Articles
Louisiana’s start to US House redistricting riles lawmakers, voting rights crowd
Mike McClanahan, the NAACP Louisiana state conference president, is restrained by sergeants-at-arms as he tries to enter a state Senate committee room during a May 8, 2026, hearing. Republican state lawmakers are expected to advance proposals on congressional redistricting that would eliminate one of both of the state's majority-Black U.S. House seats. (Photo by Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)Tensions erupted Friday as Republican state lawmake…
Residents urge Louisiana lawmakers to keep two majority-Black U.S. House districts
A panel of Louisiana lawmakers all day May 8 heard passionate testimony from the public and elected officials urging them not to remove either of the state’s two majority-Black congressional districts after the U.S. Supreme Court ordered them to redraw…
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