Redistricting News
|Voting Rights Activists Look Beyond Supreme Court To People Power|Ashley K. Shelton on the #PutHousingFirst Radio Show|How we fight gerrymandering in the South|Ashley K. Shelton on The Lurie Daniel Favors Show|SCOTUS takes on voting rights case|Campus political groups seek to increase voter turnout|Do Louisiana’s Congressional districts discriminate? Supreme Court hears a related case|Advocates show solidarity as SCOTUS hears redistricting case|Get Out and Vote Canvassing Efforts Begin to Engage Black Voters Statewide|The specter of second-class citizenship|Lawsuits Challenge Second Class Citizenship Status in Southern States.|Advocacy groups to hold briefing prior to International Day of Democracy|Statement from Power Coalition CEO Ashley Shelton on Amicus Brief Release|PCEJ Celebrates Judicial Court Ruling that Declares EBR School Board Plan 22 Null and Void |Judge tosses new Baton Rouge school board maps, gives Wednesday deadline for new ones|Federal judge intervenes with new congressional district map after failure from legislature|Statement from Power Coalition CEO Ashley Shelton on the Special Session |State rep, lawsuit plaintiff & LA SoS react to congressional map redraw order|Federal Court Rules in Favor of Plaintiffs to Block Enacted Congressional Map |Louisiana lawmakers must redraw maps, come up with second majority-minority district, judge rules|A federal judge blocks Louisiana’s congressional map, calling it a racial gerrymander.|Jefferson School Board reverses course, rejects expansion plan; here’s what they did|Historic vote could add minority seats to Jefferson Parish School Board. See the proposals.|Demographer says political map to match Baton Rouge racial balance probably can’t be done|Arguments wrap up in battle to block congressional maps for upcoming elections|Hearing Wraps in Case Challenging Louisiana’s Congressional Map, Judge to Determine Whether New Map Must Be Drawn|Challenge to Lousiana congressional maps opens; groups seek 2nd majority-Black district|Advocates asking federal judge to block recently passed congressional maps|Preliminary injunction hearing set to begin in case challenging Louisiana’s new congressional map|Rally to be held at EBR School Board Office|In fight for more minority representation, Jefferson Parish School Board will add new districts|Residents ask Jefferson Parish School Board for more Black, Hispanic election districts|The Fight for Our Schools Is Not Over|Courting litigation, EBR School Board OK’s election maps that likely preserve White majority|East Baton Rouge School Board Redistricting Special Meeting Results in Approval of Racially Gerrymandered Map|Louisiana Legislature Overturns Governor’s Veto of Map Lacking a Second Majority-Black Congressional District; Civil Rights Groups File Suit Under Voting Rights Act|Lawsuit filed to challenge Congress redistricting map in Louisiana veto override|Civil Rights Groups File Federal Lawsuit Challenging Louisiana Congressional Map|Why Voters Have the Right to a Real Chance at Representation|From Bloody Sunday to the Present, We Must Continue to Resist|Open Letter to Governor Edwards Regarding Redistricting|Governor Vetoes Proposed Congressional Maps|Redistricting Tactics Threaten to Suppress Black Representation in Louisiana|Redistricting Louisiana: What You Need to Know About Redistricting in Louisiana 2022|Clancy DuBos: Louisiana remap plans could be the next Plessy v. Ferguson|Janea Jamison: There is no ‘race blind’ fight in redistricting|Legislative Redistricting Roadshow Comes to Lake Charles On Wednesday, December 15, 2021|Power Coalition Makes Redistricting Grants to Encourage Equitable Redistricting Process|Louisiana north shore residents want out of New Orleans area congressional district|Legislative Redistricting Roadshow Comes to Alexandria On Tuesday, November 9, 2021|Every Voice Matters: Why Redistricting Is Important|Civil rights groups push for redistricting to increase chance of second Black Louisiana lawmaker|Former state legislator: We need competition in Louisiana’s stagnant political system|Civil rights groups demand second minority-majority district in Louisiana

The Supreme Court opinion in the Alabama redistricting case Milligan v. Merrill will be released any time now through the early summer. While we wait for this important ruling that will impact voter protections for everyone, we want to remind everyone that Alabama’s fight is also our fight with Robinson v. Ardoin

Black and brown voters need the full and bolstered protections of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. 

Voting for Black people in America has never been fair and the courts have been our only protection.


Power on the Line Upcoming Events

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City

Date

Power on the Line is a pro-democracy social movement for fair maps and equitable representation.

Upholding and affirming the Voting Rights Act is the greatest civil rights movement of our time. History is being made now, and we have a chance to be a part of it. In 1965 our grandparents fought to secure voting rights for racial minorities, especially those in the south. They worked long and hard to ensure that state and local government couldn't stop anyone from having their voice heard at the ballot box.

Today, 60 years later, we’re still fighting. You’ve been following the fight for fair maps here in Louisiana, but that fight spans beyond the borders of our boot. Across the south and throughout the nation other states are also fighting to hold the line, uphold democracy and sustain the values of justice and equity. This means we’re fighting today to stop voting discrimination. Not only are we fighting here in Louisiana, but we’re fighting in states like Alabama and North Carolina.

Power Coalition has joined the movement. There’s strength in numbers and when you look at our case, Robinson v. Ardoin, the need to uphold and reaffirm the Voting Rights Act is only made more clear when you see how many other states are fighting against the same things. Our voices need to be unified. We must stand together, loud and clear.

Ashley Shelton, Marissa Pittman, Elijah Crawford, and Jacquelyn Germany give testimony on SB 80

Ashley Shelton on the #PutHousingFirst Radio Show

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Watch More Redistricting Testimony

Redistricting Trainings and Events

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Redistricting 2021-2022 Timeline

Use the arrows to scroll through the timeline.

Spring of 2023: Anticipated Ruling

March 15, 2023

Anticipated ruling in the case of Merrill v. Milligan

Merrill v. Milligan to be Heard at Supreme Court

October 4, 2022

Merrill v. Milligan to be heard at the Supreme Court ahead of Robinson v. Ardoin.

Amicus Brief Filed

July 18, 2022

Amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs in Robinson v. Ardoin filed in a similar case from Alabama Merrill v. Milligan

Arguments in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals are Scheduled

July 8, 2022

U.S. Supreme Court Issues a Stay

June 28, 2022

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on the case of Robinson v. Ardoin while the Supreme Court considers a similar case from Alabama, Merrill v. Milligan. That case will go to oral argument October 4, 2022.

Litigation Begins

June 23, 2022

The plaintiffs provide response to the emergency stay request with the Supreme Court. Litigation in the case of Robinson v. Ardoin begins at all three levels of the court. U.S. District Court hearing for the Remedial Process scheduled for June 29, 2022 in Baton Rouge.

Testimony Given in the Senate

June 18, 2022

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.

Senate Bill 2

June 18, 2022

Senate Bill 2, Senator Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell

Senate Bill 3

June 18, 2022

Senate Bill 3, Senator Rick Ward, R-Port Allen

Legislative Special Session adjourns early without creating a new map

June 18, 2022

Senate Convene/Adjourn Times of the 2022 Second Extraordinary Session:

Day 1: June 15, 2022
Convened: 12:35 PM
Adjourned 2:03 PM

Day 2: June 16, 2022
Convened: 4:30 PM
Adjourned 4:47 PM

Day 3: June 17, 2022
Convened: 5:31 PM
Adjourned 5:36 PM

Day 4: June 18, 2022
Convened: 10:22 AM
Adjourned 2:13 PM

House Bill 4

June 17, 2022

House Bill 4 by Representative Barry Ivey, R-Baton Rouge

House Bill 3

June 17, 2022

House Bill 3 by Representative Barry Ivey, R-Baton Rouge

House Bill 2

June 17, 2022

House Bill 2 by Representative Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales

House Bill 1

June 17, 2022

House Bill 1 by Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans

Testimony Given

June 17, 2022

HB 1, 2, 3 & 4 are introduced.

House Convene/Adjourn Times of the 2022 Second Extraordinary Session:

Day 1: June 15, 2022
Convened: 12:42 PM
Adjourned 2:44 PM

Day 2: June 17, 2022
Convened: 4:25 PM
Adjourned 5:44 PM

Day 3: June 18, 2022
Convened: 2:03 PM
Adjourned 2:41 PM

House of Representatives Takes Day Off

June 16, 2022

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

June 15, 2022

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

June 12, 2022

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.

Power Coalition Mobilization and Redistricting Advocacy Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

June 9, 2022

Special Session Called by Governor

June 7, 2022

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

June 6, 2022

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

June 6, 2022

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

May 13, 2022

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

May 9, 2022

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

March 31, 2022

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

March 30, 2022

The Louisiana legislature overrode Gov. Edwards’s veto of the state’s new congressional maps.

Governor Vetoes Congressional Redistricting Map

March 9, 2022

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.

Special Redistricting Session Adjourned

February 18, 2022

Redistricting Roadshows Start

October 20, 2021

Redistricting Roadshows start. Power Coalition starts Redistricting mini-grants, Redistricting coffee chat trainings, Redistricting community dinners, and Faith-Based Teach-In Trainings. These events spanned across the state of Louisiana and some were held virtually.

Redistricting Crowd Academies

May 1, 2021

Power Coalition continues to prepare the community for conversation around redistricting by hosting Redistricting Crowd Academies.

Redistricting Fellows

February 1, 2021

Three Redistricting Fellows brought on to the Power Coalition team to help train and engage the community.

Census Ends

October 15, 2020

Redistricting Academies Held

September 15, 2020

Redistricting Academies held. Power Coalition started working around the state to train legislators and our communities on fair and equitable redistricting and representation.

Census Collection Begins

March 12, 2020

Census begins being collected. Power Coalition ran a year-long, statewide Count Me In campaign to get every person and community counted. The Count Me In campaign started before the COVID-19-related shutdowns occurred. The original campaign integrated in-person events, in-person canvassing, phone and text banking, as well as a robust digital campaign. With the stay-at-home order beginning in March, we quickly moved to a virtual campaign with targeted ads, text messages, phone banking, mailers, and a robust social media campaign that provided accurate, reliable and easy-to-understand information about the census.

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Spring of 2023: Anticipated Ruling

March 15, 2023

Anticipated ruling in the case of Merrill v. Milligan

Merrill v. Milligan to be Heard at Supreme Court

October 4, 2022

Merrill v. Milligan to be heard at the Supreme Court ahead of Robinson v. Ardoin.

Amicus Brief Filed

July 18, 2022

Amicus brief in support of the plaintiffs in Robinson v. Ardoin filed in a similar case from Alabama Merrill v. Milligan

Arguments in the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals are Scheduled

July 8, 2022

U.S. Supreme Court Issues a Stay

June 28, 2022

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a stay on the case of Robinson v. Ardoin while the Supreme Court considers a similar case from Alabama, Merrill v. Milligan. That case will go to oral argument October 4, 2022.

Litigation Begins

June 23, 2022

The plaintiffs provide response to the emergency stay request with the Supreme Court. Litigation in the case of Robinson v. Ardoin begins at all three levels of the court. U.S. District Court hearing for the Remedial Process scheduled for June 29, 2022 in Baton Rouge.

Testimony Given in the Senate

June 18, 2022

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.

Senate Bill 2

June 18, 2022

Senate Bill 2, Senator Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell

Senate Bill 3

June 18, 2022

Senate Bill 3, Senator Rick Ward, R-Port Allen

Legislative Special Session adjourns early without creating a new map

June 18, 2022

Senate Convene/Adjourn Times of the 2022 Second Extraordinary Session:

Day 1: June 15, 2022
Convened: 12:35 PM
Adjourned 2:03 PM

Day 2: June 16, 2022
Convened: 4:30 PM
Adjourned 4:47 PM

Day 3: June 17, 2022
Convened: 5:31 PM
Adjourned 5:36 PM

Day 4: June 18, 2022
Convened: 10:22 AM
Adjourned 2:13 PM

House Bill 4

June 17, 2022

House Bill 4 by Representative Barry Ivey, R-Baton Rouge

House Bill 3

June 17, 2022

House Bill 3 by Representative Barry Ivey, R-Baton Rouge

House Bill 2

June 17, 2022

House Bill 2 by Representative Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales

House Bill 1

June 17, 2022

House Bill 1 by Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans

Testimony Given

June 17, 2022

HB 1, 2, 3 & 4 are introduced.

House Convene/Adjourn Times of the 2022 Second Extraordinary Session:

Day 1: June 15, 2022
Convened: 12:42 PM
Adjourned 2:44 PM

Day 2: June 17, 2022
Convened: 4:25 PM
Adjourned 5:44 PM

Day 3: June 18, 2022
Convened: 2:03 PM
Adjourned 2:41 PM

House of Representatives Takes Day Off

June 16, 2022

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

June 15, 2022

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

June 12, 2022

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.

Power Coalition Mobilization and Redistricting Advocacy Day at the Louisiana State Capitol.

June 9, 2022

Special Session Called by Governor

June 7, 2022

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

June 6, 2022

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

June 6, 2022

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

May 13, 2022

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

May 9, 2022

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

March 31, 2022

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

March 30, 2022

The Louisiana legislature overrode Gov. Edwards’s veto of the state’s new congressional maps.

Governor Vetoes Congressional Redistricting Map

March 9, 2022

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.

Special Redistricting Session Adjourned

February 18, 2022

Redistricting Roadshows Start

October 20, 2021

Redistricting Roadshows start. Power Coalition starts Redistricting mini-grants, Redistricting coffee chat trainings, Redistricting community dinners, and Faith-Based Teach-In Trainings. These events spanned across the state of Louisiana and some were held virtually.

Redistricting Crowd Academies

May 1, 2021

Power Coalition continues to prepare the community for conversation around redistricting by hosting Redistricting Crowd Academies.

Redistricting Fellows

February 1, 2021

Three Redistricting Fellows brought on to the Power Coalition team to help train and engage the community.

Census Ends

October 15, 2020

Redistricting Academies Held

September 15, 2020

Redistricting Academies held. Power Coalition started working around the state to train legislators and our communities on fair and equitable redistricting and representation.

Census Collection Begins

March 12, 2020

Census begins being collected. Power Coalition ran a year-long, statewide Count Me In campaign to get every person and community counted. The Count Me In campaign started before the COVID-19-related shutdowns occurred. The original campaign integrated in-person events, in-person canvassing, phone and text banking, as well as a robust digital campaign. With the stay-at-home order beginning in March, we quickly moved to a virtual campaign with targeted ads, text messages, phone banking, mailers, and a robust social media campaign that provided accurate, reliable and easy-to-understand information about the census.

What is Redistricting?

Redistricting is the process by which governments redraw political districts. It applies to all levels of government where district elections are held, including:
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Redistricting happens once every 10 years: Every year ending in ‘1’ (e.g., 2021), the Louisiana state legislature uses Census data collected the previous year (e.g., 2020) to redraw political maps.
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Political districts are supposed to accurately reflect how populations have changed statewide and locally over the past decade, and provide fair representation to each individual and group.
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There are three basic redistricting principles:
  1. Contiguity: Every district has to remain connected–they can’t “jump” from one place to another.
  2. Compactness: With few exceptions, districts shouldn’t be drawn in extremely odd shapes.
  3. Communities of Interest:This one can be very subjective, and is the most controversial. Generally, districts should try to keep populations that share interests--e.g., fishing communities--together as much as possible.

Why is Redistricting Important?

  • Redistricting plays a critical role in who runs for office, who is elected, and how they vote once they’re in office.
  • It’s one of the most important factors in determining who represents you and how they represent you.

who runs for office

who is elected

how they vote

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  • Your local, state, and federal elected representatives make decisions that impact your everyday life, like economic opportunity, healthcare, schools, roads, and so much more.
  • The makeup of a district can significantly influence how and whether
  • elected officials respond to a community’s needs.
  • Redistricting only happens once every 10 years, and the policy impact can last even longer. We can’t miss this chance to demand fair and representative districts.

How Does Redistricting Work?

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1

The Census Bureau collects population data once every decade, during years ending in ‘0’. That data is then sent to each state, which uses it to inform the redistricting process.
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2

The Louisiana legislature holds public meetings on redistricting. Those meetings are usually run by the two committees that oversee redistricting in the legislature-- House & Governmental Affairs (HGA) and Senate & Governmental Affairs (SGA).
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3

The state legislature relies on Census data, public input, and experts to draft district maps
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4

The House & Governmental Affairs (HGA) committee and Senate & Governmental Affairs (SGA) committee each hold hearings on proposed district maps. Any proposed map must be approved by a majority of the committee members in order to go to a vote on either the House or Senate floor.
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5

When either HGA or SGA pass a map, it goes to a vote on either the House or Senate floor. When a majority of each chamber then approves a map, the two different versions (House and Senate) must be reconciled to create a single map that needs to get approved by both chambers. The final map goes to the Governor’s desk to be signed or vetoed.
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6

Once the legislature agrees on a map, it is sent to the Governor who can approve or veto it. If the Governor and legislature can’t ultimately agree on a map, the State Supreme Court takes over the redistricting process

Who is Responsible for Redistricting?

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Louisiana Legislature

  • U.S. Congress
  • State Senate & House
  • State Supreme Court
  • Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE)
  • Public Service Commission (PSC)
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Local Governments

  • City Council
  • Parish Council
  • Police Jury
  • Judicial
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