A three-judge federal panel in Shreveport heard arguments Tuesday on whether to throw out the lawsuit that already cost Louisiana one of its two majority-Black congressional districts. The judges did not rule. The plaintiffs want to know whether the second one can be challenged next.
Black residents are about one-third of Louisiana’s population. Until this spring, they were a majority in two of the state’s six congressional districts. Now they are a majority in one: the 2nd District, which takes in much of New Orleans and is represented by Democrat Troy Carter.
The panel, made up of U.S. District Judges Carl E. Stewart, David C. Joseph and Robert R. Summerhays, took the motion to dismiss under advisement. It will rule later.
How the state got here
On April 29, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Louisiana v. Callais that the state’s use of race in drawing its second majority-Black district violated the Constitution. The case was brought by voters who described themselves as “non-African American.” The ruling further weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, the provision that lets voters challenge maps that dilute the power of Black voters.
In May, the Legislature passed a replacement map that removed the second majority-Black district. Under the new lines, Republicans have a chance to win five of the six seats, up from four under the old map.
The plaintiffs have kept the case alive. They argue that the same legal problems that led to changes in the 6th District apply to the 2nd. If the panel agrees, Louisiana would have to redraw again, and the state could end up with no majority-Black district at all, in a state where roughly one in three residents is Black.
Attorney General Liz Murrill, defending the state, argued that Louisiana has already addressed the issue and asked the judges to dismiss the case.
What the groups say
The NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the ACLU of Louisiana, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, Black Voters Matter and Boots on the Ground held a day of action outside the Shreveport courthouse. They say letting the case continue could reopen the 2nd District’s boundaries even after the Legislature drew a new map.
Carter issued a statement from Washington after the hearing. He said the plaintiffs are seeking to eliminate Louisiana’s last majority-Black congressional district, and he committed to supporting the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore federal protections for voters.
The organizers planned a press conference and a push for early voting ahead of the Nov. 3 election. The panel has set no date for its decision.
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