Louisiana Governor Suspends Primaries

On Thursday, April 30, 2026, Governor Jeff Landry issued an executive order suspending Louisiana’s U.S. House primaries. The order says primaries are “suspended for the May 16 and June 27, 2026 election cycles and until July 15, 2026 or until the Legislature decides,” and orders new congressional maps. The suspension was announced as early in-person voting was set for May 2, 2026, after some absentee ballots had been cast, and follows a Supreme Court ruling earlier that week that struck down Louisiana’s map, which contained two majority-Black districts, and was described as a reduction of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

Common Dreams

Governor Jeff Landry, Donald Trump, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) are key actors. Trump praised Landry for “moving so quickly” to suspend elections and begin redistricting. Johnson said the map should be finished before the 2026 midterms, stating, “I think they should do it before the midterms.” Washington Post reported Landry notified Republican House candidates and noted a new map could give Republicans one or two seats.

Common Dreams

MoveOn Civic Action called suspension a collusive effort to rig the election and silence Black voters. Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee warned Supreme Court decision “opened the floodgates for racial gerrymandering” and framed move as an attempt to avoid electoral accountability. Democracy Docket’s Marc Elias called it a “redistricting power grab” and a “dry run for authoritarian election subversion.” Residents sued, claiming imminent, irreparable harms and noting early voting begins May 2, 2026.

Common Dreams

• Early in-person voting begins May 2, 2026.

Common Dreams

• Suspension covers the May 16 and June 27, 2026 election cycles, extending to July 15, 2026 or until legislative action.

Common Dreams

• The invalidated map included two majority-Black districts.

Common Dreams

• Revised map could add one or two Republican seats.

Common Dreams

The order lists two possible end points—July 15, 2026 or “until such time as determined by the Legislature”—leaving the suspension period unclear. It was issued after some absentee ballots had been cast, but no guidance is provided on those ballots. The process for drafting the new map is not detailed.

Common Dreams

• “Republicans are colluding in broad daylight to try to rig the election and silence Black voters.” — Joel Payne, spokesperson, MoveOn Civic Action

Common Dreams

• “A new Louisiana map would position Republicans to gain one or two seats in the midterms,” — Washington Post

Common Dreams

• “is both a redistricting power grab and a dry run for authoritarian election subversion this fall.” — Marc Elias, Democracy Docket

Common Dreams

• “They are imminent: early in-person voting commences on Saturday, May 2, 2026. They are irreparable: once an election day passes, no monetary remedy can restore the franchise.” — Plaintiffs, lawsuit filed Thursday

Common Dreams