Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoes new Louisiana congressional map
Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards has vetoed a map of Louisiana’s congressional districts that the Republican-dominated Legislature approved last month, his office announced Wednesday evening. The governor has approved new maps for the state school board and utility regulatory body.
The Congress map lawmakers approved retained a majority of white voters in five of Louisiana’s six districts, despite Census data that show the state’s Black population has increased to 33% since 2010. Multiple attempts from Democrats in the Legislature to add a second Black-majority district failed to advance from redistricting committees in the House and Senate. Only the 2nd Congressional District, which includes portions of New Orleans and Baton Rouge, currently has a Black representative.
“This map is simply not fair to the people of Louisiana and does not meet the standards set forth in the federal Voting Rights Act,” Edwards said in a statement. “The Legislature should immediately begin the work of drawing a map that ensures Black voices can be properly heard in the voting booth. It can be done and it should be done.”
Civil rights groups and voter advocates have indicated they would file lawsuit to challenge maps that don’t reflect the state’s minority population. The governor’s veto – and efforts to override it – will likely affect the timeline of any litigation.
Read more: https://lailluminator.com/2022/03/09/gov-john-bel-edwards-vetoes-new-louisiana-congressional-map/
The Louisiana Legislature approved new district lines for the state’s seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. (Image courtesy of Louisiana Legislature)