Louisiana Given Deadline to Redraw Congressional Map by Federal Appeals Court

A federal appeals court has upheld a lower-court ruling that Louisiana's congressional map likely violated the Voting Rights Act by diluting the power of Black voters. The court ordered the state to finalize a new map by January 15, 2024, in time for the next congressional elections. Louisiana is one of several Southern states facing accusations of racial discrimination in their electoral maps. The ruling follows similar decisions against Alabama and Georgia. If lawmakers fail to approve a new map by the deadline, the lower district court will decide on a plan for the 2024 elections.