Stephen Smith/AP
On April 4, 2023, the Louisiana State Capitol stands quietly in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
CNN
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A federal court that struck down Louisiana’s congressional map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander has given state lawmakers until early June to redraw the map themselves.
Meanwhile, the court is setting a timeline for proposals for new council plans for the court to consider in case the court itself needs to draw new maps.
“Accordingly, if the Louisiana Legislature fails to enact a new map by June 3, 2024, the court will order use of the interim revised Congressional district map on June 4, 2024.” the court said in Tuesday’s order. Redistricting experts may be appointed to assist in the process.
The rescheduling order issued by Louisiana’s three-judge panel is the latest development in a thorny dispute over congressional maps that could affect control of the U.S. House of Representatives next year. be.
A map called. The Louisiana Legislature ruled that the 2020 Census (which includes just one majority Black district in a state where roughly one-third of the population is African American) was turned into the Voting Rights Act by another federal court last year. The tally was made after receiving a ruling that there was a possibility of a violation.
Congress adopted new maps this year to create the second-majority black district out of six total. The map was challenged by voters, including prominent white Republicans, and was rejected by a three-judge panel last week.
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry said the state needs maps by May 15 to hold this year’s elections. But the court on Tuesday noted an earlier statement by state attorneys in a separate case that Louisiana could prepare for the November election if it had maps by the end of May.
At least some of the litigants involved in the case are expected to ask the Supreme Court to intervene this week and request that the plan adopted by lawmakers earlier this year be used for this year’s elections.
