Louisiana’s new voting map drops a majority-Black district : NPR
NPR Topics: Politics — 2026-05-29 12:14:00 — www.npr.org
Trump’s Influence on Redistricting Efforts in Louisiana
In a significant move ahead of the midterm elections, Republicans in the Louisiana legislature have approved a new congressional map that is expected to benefit their party by potentially securing an additional seat in the House. This decision comes in the wake of a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that deemed the previous map unconstitutional, leading to a rapid response from state lawmakers to redraw district lines.
Background on the Redistricting
The Supreme Court’s ruling last month weakened Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, prompting Louisiana lawmakers to act quickly. Just days before early voting was set to begin, with many voters having already cast mail ballots, Republican Governor Jeff Landry pushed to delay the House primary elections originally scheduled for May 16. The primaries have now been rescheduled for November 3.
Changes to Majority-Black Districts
The newly approved map dismantles a majority-Black district that previously extended from Baton Rouge to Shreveport. This district was established following a 2022 lawsuit that argued Louisiana lawmakers had illegally diluted Black voting power by not creating a second majority-Black district in a state where Black voters make up roughly one-third of the population. The court had agreed with this assessment, leading to the creation of the previous map, which was later challenged and ultimately brought before the Supreme Court.
In the executive order delaying the primaries, Governor Landry stated, “The best way to end race-based discrimination is to stop making decisions based on race.” This sentiment reflects a broader Republican strategy to redraw maps that favor their party, with some lawmakers advocating for a map that would give the GOP an advantage in all six of Louisiana’s congressional districts. Ultimately, legislators chose to eliminate only one majority-Black district held by Democrats, fearing that further changes could jeopardize Republican-held districts.
Implications of the New Map
The revised map retains one majority-Black district that encompasses most of New Orleans and extends into predominantly Black neighborhoods in Baton Rouge. However, the Black population in Baton Rouge is now split between two districts, and Shreveport has been absorbed into the surrounding northwest Louisiana area. The current Baton Rouge-based district is represented by Democratic Rep. Cleo Fields, while Democratic Rep. Troy Carter represents the majority-Black district centered around New Orleans.
Broader Context of Redistricting
Louisiana’s actions are part of a larger trend across Southern states, where redistricting efforts have targeted Black Democrats following the Supreme Court ruling. Tennessee has eliminated its only Democratic-held seat, a majority-Black district in Memphis, while Alabama’s Supreme Court-approved map has also faced challenges. Governors in Georgia and Mississippi are expected to propose similar redistricting plans after the midterms.
The rush to redraw congressional maps across the South is seen as a strategic move influenced by President Trump’s efforts to solidify Republican control in a narrowly divided House. This ongoing redistricting war raises critical questions about representation and the future of voting rights in the region.
Source: https://www.npr.org/2026/05/29/nx-s1-5826956/louisiana-new-congressional-map-redistricting