Federal Judge Blocks GOP-Drawn Congressional Map

JUN 7 2022·Updated DEC 28 2022

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The Facts

On Mon., a federal judge ruled that Louisiana's new congressional map must be redrawn to include a second Black-majority district by June 20.
nytimes
Judge Shelly D. Dick of the US Dist. Court for the Middle Dist. of Louisiana issued a ruling explaining that the House map enacted by the GOP-controlled state legislature illegally left just one majority-Black district.
nytimes
Approximately one-third of the state's population is Black, and the 2020 census showed the Black population increased by 3.8% over the past decade.
nytimes
The legislature passed the map, which retained the GOP's advantage in five of six districts from the previous cycle's map, after overriding Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards' veto in March.
CNN
Dick used precedent from Thornburg v. Gingles to determine this map violated the Voting Rights Act, leaving Louisiana as the only state without a legally binding congressional map in place.
Restoring America
Louisiana officials have already said they'll appeal the decision, with opponents challenging whether the state has enough time to draw new lines before this year's elections.
CNN

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The Spin

Democratic narrative

The GOP is blatantly trying to prevent Black residents from getting their fair share of representation in government. There should be at least one more majority Black congressional district based on the demographics of the state.

Louisiana Illuminator

Republican narrative

The map follows federal law and doesn't dilute Black voting strength. Judge Dick's ruling wasn't made on legitimate grounds and it will be close to impossible to redraw the map by the deadline. Eventually, the courts will see the error of her decision.

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