Louisiana Legislative Redistricting Challenge
Nairne v. Ardoin
Lawsuit filed in federal court on behalf of Black voters and civil rights organizations against Louisiana’s newly enacted legislative maps. The complaint alleges that the new legislative districts violate Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA) by diluting the voting strength of Black Louisiana voters, the result of “packing” Black voters into certain districts and “cracking” them among other districts to dilute their voting power. The plaintiffs argue that the Black population in Louisiana can constitute a voting majority in six to nine more state House districts and three more state Senate districts. The lawsuit asks the court to block the use of the enacted maps in future elections and order VRA-compliant maps that accurately reflect the state’s Black population.
On Aug. 30, 2022, the court paused proceedings pending a decision in Allen v. Milligan. The case was unpaused after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Allen and a trial was held in November 2023.
On Feb. 8, 2024, the court struck down the state’s House and Senate districts for violating the VRA. On Feb. 19, 2024, the defendants appealed that decision to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
On April 23, 2024, Louisiana filed a motion asking the entire 5th Circuit to hear this appeal and hold that there is no private right of action under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The 5th Circuit declined the state’s request for the entire court to hear the case, but the case will continue in the 5th Circuit in front of a three-judge panel.
STATUS: Oral argument will be held before the 5th Circuit on Jan. 7, 2025.
Case Documents (DISTRICT COURT)
Case Documents (5th Circuit)
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