Louisiana has postponed its May primaries following the US Supreme Court's ruling that severely weakened the Voting Rights Act. Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill announced on Thursday that the state can no longer use its current congressional districts for the elections, which were scheduled for 16 May with early voting set to begin on Saturday.
The decision comes as several southern states rush to redraw congressional districts in response to the court's ruling. Florida's Republican-controlled legislature has already passed new maps giving the party an advantage in 24 of the state's 28 House seats. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves has called a special session to address redistricting, while Alabama's attorney general said the state will act quickly to apply the ruling.
Critics have condemned the moves as attempts to suppress Black voting power. Charles Taylor of the Mississippi NAACP said the ruling is linked to 'the dilutions of Black voting power,' while the National Democratic Redistricting Committee accused Florida Republicans of a 'partisan power grab.'
Louisiana officials said they are working with the legislature and the secretary of state to develop a path forward for the elections.
