Story perspectives

Louisiana GOP Redraws Map, Cuts Black District, Delays Primary

5/30/2026

Summary

Story summary

Louisiana's Republican legislature approved a new map on May 29, 2026 that removes one majority-Black district.
Governor Jeff Landry issued an emergency order postponing the May 16 primary and moving it to Nov. 3, affecting mailed ballots.
Republicans claim the districts were drawn with partisan data while Democrats label the plan a racial gerrymander.
Under the new lines five districts favor Republicans and one majority-Black district remains, likely spurring voting-rights lawsuits.

History

Historical Context

In 1993 the U.S. Supreme Court struck down North Carolina’s oddly shaped majority-Black district in Shaw v. Reno by a 5-4 ruling that race-based maps must pass strict scrutiny. That precedent guides today’s challenge to Louisiana’s Republican-led legislature, headed by Governor Jeff Landry, which approved a congressional map removing a majority-Black district, reviving the same constitutional dispute.

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Story summary

Louisiana's Republican legislature approved a new map on May 29, 2026 that removes one majority-Black district.
Governor Jeff Landry issued an emergency order postponing the May 16 primary and moving it to Nov. 3, affecting mailed ballots.
Republicans claim the districts were drawn with partisan data while Democrats label the plan a racial gerrymander.
Under the new lines five districts favor Republicans and one majority-Black district remains, likely spurring voting-rights lawsuits.

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