Louisiana suspends primary elections after Supreme Court strikes down congressional map

Gov. Jeff Landry (R-LA) suspended Louisiana's primary elections, scheduled for May 16, on Thursday following a Supreme Court ruling that struck down the state's 2024 congressional map.

The Supreme Court ruled 6-3 that the second majority-black district drawn in the 2024 map, the 6th Congressional District represented by Rep. Cleo Fields (D-LA), constituted a racial gerrymander. The justices cited Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act in their decision, which has long been interpreted by courts to prohibit congressional maps drawn on the basis of minority voting strength, regardless of intent.

"The State is currently enjoined from carrying out congressional elections under the current map," Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a statement. "We are working together with the Legislature and the Secretary of State's office to develop a path forward."