Story perspectives

Louisiana suspends House primaries over Voting Rights Act ruling

5/2/2026

Summary

Story summary

Louisiana mailed early-voting ballots for the May 16 primary and will discard U.S. House votes.
Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill suspended the congressional primaries after the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision, Justice Samuel Alito, that the Cleo Fields district violated Voting Rights Act.
Sen. Royce Duplessis called the suspension confusing and rigging, while Republican candidate Misti Cordell said the delay is preferable to an election on an invalid map.

History

Historical Context

The 1993 5-4 Shaw v. Reno decision ruled a bizarre, race-based congressional map unconstitutional, forcing the Justice Department under Attorney General Janet Reno to require Louisiana and other states to redraw districts per the 1965 Voting Rights Act. Today Governor Jeff Landry and Secretary of State Liz Murrill invoke that precedent after Justice Samuel Alito’s 6-3 ruling striking the Cleo Fields map.

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Story summary

Louisiana mailed early-voting ballots for the May 16 primary and will discard U.S. House votes.
Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill suspended the congressional primaries after the Supreme Court’s 6-3 decision, Justice Samuel Alito, that the Cleo Fields district violated Voting Rights Act.
Sen. Royce Duplessis called the suspension confusing and rigging, while Republican candidate Misti Cordell said the delay is preferable to an election on an invalid map.

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