(TruthAndLiberty.com) – The appeal made by Louisiana to block the redrawing of the state’s congressional map was dismissed by the Supreme Court on Monday. The ruling, issued on June 8, focused on the Voting Rights Act and drew parallels to a previous case involving the redrawing of congressional districts in Alabama. The Supreme Court’s order, which was brief and unsigned, stated that the lower court should address this matter before the congressional elections in Louisiana in 2024. Consequently, the case has been sent back to the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals based in New Orleans.
Angelique Freel, Louisiana’s Assistant Attorney General, expressed confidence that the 5th Circuit would review the case in accordance with the law while emphasizing their role in defending the legislature.
The Supreme Court’s ruling in the Alabama case has the potential to impact Louisiana by allowing for the creation of a new congressional map. This new map could provide an opportunity for Black voters to elect their preferred representative in two districts, as opposed to the current situation where they have that chance in only one out of the six districts. Furthermore, the Supreme Court’s decision in the Alabama case upheld the lower court’s ruling, which deemed the Republican-drawn map in the state discriminatory against Black voters due to the elimination of their ability to vote for their preferred candidate.
Abha Khanna, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs, argued that Louisiana is currently progressing toward the creation of an additional district that offers minority voters an opportunity for representation before the upcoming congressional election.
It is worth noting that the Supreme Court followed a similar approach last year in the Alabama case, allowing Republicans to implement their preferred map. This map contributed to their success in winning five out of the six districts in the 2022 midterm elections.
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