Louisiana Governor Issues Statement on Court Ruling to Vacate Administrative Stay, Allowing Special Redistricting Session to Move Forward

On June 12, 2022, Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards issued a statement regarding the U.S. Fifth Circuit’s decision to vacate the administrative stay issued late last week after the Middle District Court ruled that Republican-drawn congressional district maps in Louisiana violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.

Louisiana Governor Edwards said:

“This is a big step in the right direction for the people of Louisiana, and I’m thankful to the U.S Fifth Circuit for lifting the stay. This has always been a straightforward case of simple math, simple fairness and the rule of law. According to the U.S. Census, African Americans make up nearly one-third of the voting population in Louisiana, and therefore, we should have a second majority minority congressional district. As I stated in my letter Friday to the Senate President and Speaker of the House, there is time for the legislature to return to the Capitol and enact congressional maps that reflect the reality of our state. It is the right thing to do, and it is what we are compelled to do in accordance with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.”