The Senate hears SB 3 by Senator Ward proposing two majority Black districts. Senator Ward pulls SB 3 after realizing a compromise cannot be met. Legislative Special Session adjourns early without creating a new map as ordered by the court. Five different bills filed would have created two majority-minority districts. Only one was reported from the committee.
House of Representatives Takes Day Off
The Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives gave members the day off. Filed motion to ask the federal judge for a 10-day extension to redraw Louisiana’s congressional districts to meet the court-ordered deadline of June 20, 2022. Judge Shelly Dick denied the request for more time to submit new congressional districts.
Special Redistricting Session Starts
The Louisiana Legislature met to start the Special Redistricting Session. The Senate hears SB 1 by Senator Fields. The House introduces four map bills in committee– HB 1, 2, 3, and 4.
Administrative Stay Vacated
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit vacated its administrative stay of the federal district court’s decision overturning the state’s congressional map and denied motions to stay the district court’s decision pending appeal.
Administrative Stay Issued by Court of Appeals
The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit issued an administrative stay of the district court’s ruling pending further proceedings.
Special Session Called by Governor
Gov. John Bel Edwards called a special session, June 15 through June 20, of Louisiana’s Legislature to redraw Louisiana’s Congressional district maps with two majority Black districts, as required by the ruling of the U.S. Court for the Middle District of Louisiana.
Court Decision
Judge Shelly Dick of the U.S. Middle District Court of Louisiana struck down the congressional district boundaries that Louisiana enacted on March 30, 2022 when the state legislature overrode Gov. John Bel Edwards. The State Legislature ordered to produce a revised map of the state’s six congressional districts by June 20, 2022. Also directed the state to extend the filing deadline for House candidates, originally set for June 22, and adjusted to July 8.
Appeal Filed by Secretary of State
Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin appealed the district court’s decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit.
Federal Court Hearing Ends
Arguments wrapped up at the Middle District Court of Louisiana in the fight to challenge Louisiana’s congressional map.
Five-day Long Federal Court Hearing Begins
Civil rights groups turn to the federal court in what will be a five-day long hearing to block the enacted congressional maps.
Lawsuit Filed
Civil rights groups and Black Louisiana voters filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the state’s new congressional map as a violation of the Voting Rights Act.
Legislature Overrides Govenor’s Veto
The Louisiana legislature overrode Gov. Edwards’s veto of the state’s new congressional maps.
Governor Vetoes Congressional Redistricting Map
Governor John Bel Edwards vetoes the congressional redistricting map drawn by Louisiana’s Legislature because it does not add a second majority-minority district. He also announced he would not sign the state House and Senate district maps passed in the redistricting session, allowing them to become law without his approval.
February 2022:
Special Legislative Session
The state legislature relies on Census data, public input, and experts to draft district maps Hearings are held on proposed district maps The legislature votes on maps
Oct. 2021 – Jan. 2022:
Legislative Redistricting Roadshow
Make your voice heard when your legislators draw political districts!
September 30, 2020:
Census Data Collection Ends
The US Census Bureau collects population data once every decade.