Hearing underway on attempt to overthrow La.’s congressional map
A judge ordered Louisiana to have 2 majority-minority districts since one-third of its population is African-American
SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) — The trial over a lawsuit attempting to overthrow Louisiana’s new congressional map will continue Wednesday (April 10).
The hearing before a three-judge panel is being held in Shreveport. It began Monday and could last at least one more day.
Earlier this year, Louisiana lawmakers were tasked with making the map after a judge said a previous one violated the Voting Rights Act. The judge said Louisiana must have two majority-minority districts since one-third of its population is African-American. The previous map had one such district.
Under the latest map, the new 6th Congressional District extends from southern Caddo Parish through Natchitoches and Alexandria to Baton Rouge. The new boundaries jeopardize Republican Congressman Garret Graves’ place in Congress.
Longtime Democratic politician Cleo Fields already has announced he’s running for the post. Fields previously served in Congress but declined to seek re-election in 1996 after two terms representing a district that ultimately was thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court.
Republican state Sen. Alan Seabaugh, who represents state District 31 in Northwest Louisiana, doesn’t approve of Louisiana’s latest congressional map. He declined to comment until the trial is over. But he explained his reasons to KSLA News 12 in January:
“Federal courts are struggling with how to balance the needs to make sure everyone has equal protection with the law as voters and that they’re not overwhelmingly treated based according to race,” explained Stephen Voss, a political science faculty member at the University of Kentucky. He was among those who testified Tuesday.
“For two and a half years we’ve been fighting for fair and equitable maps and delivered that,” said Ashley Shelton, CEO of Power Coalition. “And so this is an opportunity to give forgotten communities an opportunity to be centered in a district so they can have their needs met.”
Louisiana’s new congressional district “... represents an opportunity for us to be able to double our representation throughout this region,” former Shreveport Mayor Cedric Glover said. “The idea of being able to have two congressional representing both caucuses of Congress, one on the Republican side, one on the Democratic side.”
Jared Evans, senior policy counsel for the NAACP, said, “Black voters in this state have been deprived from justice and equity for far too long. And so we are ready for resolution.”
Shreveport Attorney Royal Alexander shared his thoughts on the lawsuit on Wednesday, April 10.
Alexander said according to the Supreme Court, race can be a factor in districting but it cannot be the only factor. He said other important factors include which industries make up a majority of the workforce and overall population.
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