LOUISIANA, USA — These maps all passed committee Wednesday and will go up for discussion. All three mean different things for Southeast Louisiana.
Lawmakers have to pass a map with two majority-Black districts in order to comply with the law. They failed to get it done in the special session earlier this year, although they did pass a new congressional district map.
So, why do these supreme court districts matter to you? Louisiana uses a rare election system for its justices. Only a handful of states’ justices are elected.
Seven Louisiana Supreme Court justices are voted in by their districts to serve 10-year terms. They have significant decision-making power and oversee the courts in Louisiana.
Back to Baton Rouge and our three cartographic contenders: The map in SB193 keeps the most parishes whole.
The map in SB255 is nearly the same exact map that Governor Jeff Landry tried and failed to push through during the special session.
And SB381 has the least amount of support. It cuts the West Bank of Jefferson Parish out of the current district and some argue it does not comply with the equal representation order.
All three maps are on the agenda for consideration when Senate reconvenes Monday.
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