Federal Court Orders Louisiana to Redraw Legislative Districts

The ruling comes weeks after Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed a bill creating a new congressional map that establishes a second majority-black district.

The Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge, La., on April 17, 2020. Chris Graythen/Getty Images

A federal court ruled on Feb. 8 that Louisiana’s state House and Senate district maps dilute black voting strength in violation of the Voting Rights Act and has ordered that the maps must be redrawn.

The ruling by U.S. District Chief Judge Shelly Dick came just weeks after Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signed on Jan. 22 a bill creating a new congressional map that establishes a second majority-black district.