Louisiana Congressional Redistricting Challenge (Robinson)

Lawsuit filed on behalf of voters and civil rights groups challenging Louisiana’s new congressional map. The complaint points out that, even though Black residents make up one-third of Louisiana’s population, they can only elect their candidate of choice in one out of the six congressional districts. The plaintiffs argue that, by failing to include a second minority opportunity district, this new congressional map dilutes the voting strength of Black residents in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). Because of this, the plaintiffs ask the court to block the map and order the creation of a new map that includes a second minority opportunity district in compliance with the VRA. The case was consolidated with Galmon v. Ardoin.

On June 6, 2022, a preliminary injunction was granted blocking the congressional map for the 2022 election cycle, which the defendants immediately appealed. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals granted an administrative stay (meaning pause) of the district court’s order, but three days later vacated the administrative stay and denied the motion to stay pending appeal. The state then filed an emergency application in the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to pause the district court’s preliminary injunction. In a 6-3 order, the Supreme Court granted the application, thereby reinstating the previously blocked congressional map. The Court’s conservative justices also agreed to review the case before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals issued a decision and paused the case until the Court decides a similar case about Alabama’s congressional map.

Last updated: June 29, 2022 4:32 pm EST