Louisiana's Voting Rights Battle: A Crucial Victory for Black Voters

Black voters won a big victory in Louisiana.

Some White voters said it violated their ‘personal dignity’

Nearly two years after a federal judge said that Louisiana’s congressional map diluted Black voting power, Black voters are at risk of voting for a second time in an election under a plan that likely violates the Voting Rights Act.

The new ruling, issued Tuesday by two judges appointed by former President Donald Trump, leaves the state without a congressional map six months before the election.

The legal fight may influence which party controls the US House next year as the second majority-Black district would likely vote for a Democrat.

In the current phase of the dispute, a three-judge trial judge panel sided with a group of 12 self-described “non-African American” voters who alleged that their “personal dignity” had been injured.

Supporters of the map argue that political decisions – not just race – shaped the actions of state lawmakers and Louisiana’s recently elected Republican Gov.

Jeff Landry, who backed the new lines.

The ongoing court fight shows how “gamesmanship” can undermine the Voting Rights Act protections, said Justin Levitt, a Loyola Law School professor specializing in elections and constitutional law.

The longer the current impasse lasts means more delay and uncertainty for candidates – and Black Louisianians.

What do you think is the most important step we can take to protect voting rights in Louisiana and beyond?


Source:
https://www.yahoo.com/news/black-vote...