Louisiana Congressional Primary Elections Suspension Challenge (LWVLA)

A pro-voting lawsuit challenging Louisiana’s decision to suspend its 2026 congressional primary elections following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais.

Background

A group of individual voters and voting rights organizations filed a lawsuit against Governor Jeff Landry (R) and Secretary of State Nancy Landry (R), challenging the state’s decision to delay the 2026 congressional primary elections. On April 29, the U.S. Supreme Court issued its decision in Louisiana v. Callais, striking down Louisiana’s congressional map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. According to the complaint, Louisiana officials responded by declaring a state of emergency and issuing an executive order suspending the U.S. House primaries to give lawmakers time to redraw the congressional map. The suspension occurred while absentee voting was already underway and just days before early in-person voting was set to begin. Plaintiffs argue the executive order exceeds the governor’s authority under Louisiana law and violates the right to vote guaranteed by the state constitution. They are asking the court to block the executive order and declare it unlawful, arguing that the Callais decision does not qualify as an emergency and that the governor lacks authority to postpone a federal election on that basis. 

Why It Matters

The lawsuit comes as GOP-led states rush to redraw their maps ahead of the 2026 midterms following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais. If Louisiana is allowed to redraw its congressional map before the midterms, Republicans could potentially secure up to two more red seats. 

Latest Updates

• May 1, 2026: Plaintiffs filed their petition for a temporary restraining order. The court denied the request for a temporary restraining order.