NEW ORLEANS — The law is clear, and the courts have spoken. Louisiana lawmakers must, finally, do what fairness has always required: create a second majority-Black congressional district.
The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals, easily the most conservative appellate court in the country, gave lawmakers until Jan. 15 to redraw congressional district lines. If they don’t, a federal judge will do it for them.
Now it’s up to Gov. John Bel Edwards or incoming Governor Jeff Landry to call a special session to comply with the court’s order.
Landry takes office Jan. 8. He’ll need an extension to get the job done. He should seek one immediately, because he and the Republican super-majority in the legislature probably won’t like the judge’s map.