Louisiana Faces Legal Backlash After Governor Halts Primaries to Redraw Congressional Maps

Governor Jeff Landry Suspends Primaries Amid Legal Challenges

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has faced multiple lawsuits within 24 hours of announcing a halt to statewide primaries. The move aims to allow Republicans to redraw congressional districts following the Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais, which gutted the Voting Rights Act.

Civil Rights Groups File Lawsuits to Block Primary Suspension

On Friday, several civil rights organizations, including the ACLU, the Louisiana NAACP, and the National Council of Jewish Women, sued to prevent Landry from suspending the May 16 primary election. The lawsuit, filed by the National Council of Jewish Women and Louisiana voters, argues:

“Under Louisiana law, the legislature, not the Governor or the Secretary of State, sets the state’s election schedule. Yet, Governor Jeff Landry, aided by Secretary of State Nancy Landry, has purported to unilaterally cancel Louisiana’s 2026 congressional primary election after it has already begun.”

The lawsuit highlights that ballots were already sent to military and overseas voters a month prior, and mail ballots were distributed to other eligible voters nearly a week ago. Many voters, including the plaintiffs, have already cast their votes.

The lawsuit also cites Supreme Court precedent to argue that Landry cannot alter the map so close to the election:

“Quite to the contrary, the Supreme Court has historically found that when voting in an election is within months of beginning—and, here, it has already begun—the state must proceed under the invalidated map, and any infirmities must be corrected for future elections.”

Additional Lawsuit Filed by Democratic Candidate

The ACLU, NAACP, and other voting rights groups are seeking a state court injunction to block Landry’s decision, arguing the Supreme Court ruling did not constitute an “emergency” under state law. Landry also faces a separate lawsuit from Democratic House candidate Lindsay Garcia, who claims the suspension violates the First, Fourteenth, and Fifteenth Amendments.

Legal Battle Reflects Broader GOP Efforts to Redraw Maps

The swift legal response underscores the contentious nature of Landry’s decision, which critics argue is an attempt by Republicans to force through congressional maps that could disenfranchise Black and brown voters. Legal experts anticipate further challenges from both sides as the dispute escalates.