WASHINGTON, D.C. — The nationwide battle over congressional maps continues with major moves in both Louisiana and Florida.
On Wednesday, the Supreme Court of the United States struck down a Louisiana congressional map, just over two weeks before the state’s primary elections. The decision comes as Florida prepares to pass a new map to benefit Republicans.
Wednesday’s ruling has ignited a debate over the Civil Rights Act and over redistricting, simultaneously.
The Louisiana congressional map, drawn in 2024, was ruled an unconstitutional gerrymander in a 6-3 decision by the high court.
The map created a second majority-Black district and added a second Black Democrat to the state’s predominantly Republican delegation.
“A devastating blow to our democracy. Plain and simple,” said Rep. Troy Carter, D-La. “The impacts go throughout every congressional district, every school board district, every legislative district, every city council district.”
Critics of Wednesday’s ruling say it opens the door for others states to enact discriminatory maps by eviscerating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which has long served as a protection against discriminatory voting systems.
“We’re ramping up our efforts,” said Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., on Wednesday. “We see the need for it — just today in today’s Supreme Court decision — which was a despicable decision. That is a return to Jim Crow, taking decades of hard work, sweat, blood and tears, and even people dying for the right to vote, to prevent racial discrimination in the right to vote.”
The conservative majority’s opinion, penned by Justice Samuel Alito, did not provide any instruction on how Louisiana should proceed through the current election cycle. The state’s primaries are held on May 16. Military and overseas ballots have already been sent.
“In many cases and in many states, the ballot is set. It would be very disruptive,” said Rep. Nick Langworthy, R-N.Y.
Meanwhile in Florida, the state House has approved a new congressional map that could boost Republicans in four races for seats currently held by Democrats.
“It’s up to those individual states. I mean, we’ve seen states redistrict. We’ve seen states choose not to redistrict,” said Langworthy.
The Republican push in Florida comes just over a week after Virginia voters approved a ballot measure to redraw the commonwealth’s congressional map to favor Democrats. Virginia’s new map is still on hold as legal challenges unfold.
“What they do in Virginia, what they do in California, what they do in Texas, what they do in Louisiana really comes down to those states to make a determination,” said Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Pa.
Florida’s proposal now heads to the state Senate, where final passage is expected soon. If signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis, R-Fla., the map will likely face court challenges as well.
As of Thursday afternoon, Louisiana is preparing to delay its House primaries following the Supreme Court’s decision. Gov. Jeff Landry, R-La., said that the court’s decision bars the state from holding elections using its current congressional maps.
“Accordingly, the state is currently enjoined from carrying out congressional elections under the current map. We are working together with the Legislature and the Secretary of State’s office to develop a path forward,” Landry said on social media.
Landry signed an executive order Thursday, which he said ensures the rule of law is upheld while giving the state Legislature time to pass “a fair and lawful congressional map.”
“The best way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race. Here in Louisiana, we’re proud to lead the nation on this charge. Allowing elections to proceed under an unconstitutional map would undermine the integrity of our system and violate the rights of our voters,” Landry said.
