Louisiana Legislative Redistricting Challenge

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 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 appealed to the 5th Circuit asking them to hold that there is no private right of action under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Oral argument was held on Jan. 7, 2025. On Aug. 14, 2025, the 5th Circuit affirmed the district court’s ruling striking down Louisiana’s state House and state Senate maps for violating Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. However, the redraw of the Louisiana legislative maps was stayed by the district court on Aug. 6 pending the decision of the U.S. Supreme Court in Callais v. Landry.

STATUS: On May 7, 2026 — in light of the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in Callais — the 5th Circuit vacated their Aug. 14, 2025 judgment affirming the district court’s ruling that Louisiana’s state House and Senate maps violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The 5th Circuit remanded the case back to the district court.

Last updated: July 1, 2026 11:29 am EST