Louisiana House members this week will debate a proposal to redraw the boundaries of state Supreme Court electoral districts in a way that provides two majority-minority districts and offers a path to end more than four years of litigation.
The proposal – House Bill 8 by Rep. Michael Johnson (R-East Pineville) – is advancing in the lower House during the current special session after both Gov. Jeff Landry and five members of the Louisiana Supreme Court endorsed the idea of equalizing the district populations and creating a second majority-Black district.
Ongoing federal litigation in the Middle District of Louisiana led Louisiana officials to fight allegations that the state Supreme Court districts violate the Voting Rights Act because they fail to protect the voting rights of Black voters in the state.
In his address to the Legislature this week, Landry urged lawmakers to adopt the redistricting plan recommended by five of the seven justices – Jay McCallum, James Genovese, William Crain, Jefferson Hughes and Piper Griffin.
“(The five justices) conscientiously, unselfishly and courageously stepped forward and presented us with a map that redraws our Supreme Court districts in a manner that will comply with the Voting Rights Act – and alleviate costly litigation,” Landry said.
As state attorney general, Landry defended state officials and worked to dismiss legal cases challenging the state Supreme Court districts.
“I know firsthand this matter is indefensible,” he told lawmakers. “Our Supreme Court districts have been redistricted by the Legislature only one time in the last 103 years. The result is districts that are grossly unbalanced – with two districts twice as large as another one.”
The remap plan recommended by the Supreme Court addresses issues that have been litigated for years, according to a Dec. 27 letter signed by the five justices that was sent to legislative leaders.
“It creates a second majority-minority (voting-age population) election district, allowing that seat to be filled in the fall of 2024,” the letter states. “We are hopeful the proposal will resolve the federal lawsuit.”
Legislative leaders this week expressed support for the proposal advanced by the five justices.
“Redistricting is a function of the Legislature, and we’ll do the work that needs to get done,” Speaker of the House Phillip DeVillier (R-Acadiana) said in a statement provided by the Legislative Communications Office. “That way, we can focus on the much larger issues voters sent us to Baton Rouge to tackle.”
Senate President Cameron Henry (R-Metairie) said he agreed with Landry’s problem-solving message.
“The Senate accepts that task and will be working diligently to redraw new congressional and Supreme Court maps,” Henry said.
But two Supreme Court justices declined to endorse the redistricting plan. Justice Scott Crichton objected to the specifics of the map because it “obliterates” District 2, which he represents. Crichton won’t be able to run for re-election, however, because of his age, and he supports the majority’s desire to increase minority representation on the court.
Chief Justice John Weimer also opposes the majority’s map, arguing that District 6 is “grossly and oddly shaped” and that the map does not respect the concept of keeping “communities of interest” intact. Weimer also supports additional minority representation.
“The lack of compact districts in the proposal makes it virtually impossible for voters to know or understand who they are entitled to vote for, which leads to a lack of voter interest,” Weimer said in a letter to state leaders. “... The proposed redistricting map was created with a complete lack of transparency.”