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
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

Redistricting 2021-2022 Timeline



- Contiguity: Every district has to remain connected–they can’t “jump” from one place to another.
- Compactness: With few exceptions, districts shouldn’t be drawn in extremely odd shapes.
- 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.
- 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

- 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.

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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)

- The public plays a key role in determining how the redistricting process plays out and how the district lines are ultimately drawn.
- Submit comments during public redistricting hearings.
- Anyone can do it.

Local Governments
- City Council
- Parish Council
- Police Jury
- Judicial