Louisiana suspends primaries after Supreme Court ruling on voting rights
Louisiana state officials suspended their state’s primary elections Thursday, one day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a redistricting plan that created a second majority Black congressional district in the state.
Early voting in Louisiana’s primaries was scheduled to begin Saturday, with the election slated for May 16. But Gov. Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill — both Republicans — said the court’s ruling prohibits the state from holding the primaries under the current districts, The Associated Press reported.
“The State is currently enjoined from carrying out congressional elections under the current map,” Landry said in a post to social media. “We are working together with the Legislature and the Secretary of State’s office to develop a path forward.”
In a 6-3 ruling Wednesday, the Supreme Court said the state violated the Voting Rights Act by creating a district now represented by Democratic Rep. Cleo Fields. The court’s ruling was seen as a major blow to the Voting Rights Act, the 1965 landmark legislation that was enacted to remedy historic disenfranchisement of Black voters.
This is a breaking news story and more information will be added as it becomes available.
Ella Rae Greene, Editor In Chief
