Louisiana

Congressional & Legislative

Primary Authority: The Louisiana State Legislature draws and enacts congressional and legislative plans, subject to the Governor’s veto. The Legislature can override a veto with a 2/3 vote in each chamber. Republicans currently have a veto-proof majority in the Senate. No party currently has a veto-proof majority in the House. [La. Const. art. III, § 6]

If a bill is presented to the Governor during session, the Governor has 10 days to sign or veto it; otherwise, it becomes law without signature. If the bill is delivered during the last 10 days of session, the Governor must sign or veto it within 20 days of transmittal; otherwise, it becomes law without signature.

Mapping Timeline: There is no deadline specified for congressional plans. The Legislature must enact legislative plans by the end of the year after the decennial census results are reported to the President. If they fail to meet this deadline, any voter can petition the Louisiana Supreme Court to draw and adopt legislative plans. [La. Const. art. III, § 6]

Redistricting Criteria: None. [But the Legislature adopted criteria via Joint Rule No. 21 for the 2020 cycle]

Map Challenges: Not specified.

Ballot Measure & Referendum Processes

Types of Measures: Only the Louisiana State Legislature can refer amendments to the ballot. There is no initiative or referendum process. [La. Const. art. XIII]

Previous Redistricting Cycles

2010

• Congressional
  • Original Plan – HB 6
    • Passed = April 13, 2011 (R-controlled)
    • Signed = April 14, 2011
    • Preclearance = Granted on August 1, 2011
  • Litigation History
    • Johnson v. Ardoin, No. 3:18-cv-625 (M.D. La. Oct. 13, 2020): A group of African-American Louisiana voters challenged the Legislature’s enacted congressional plan alleging vote dilution in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The case was dismissed by joint stipulation of all parties on October 13, 2020.
• Legislative
  • Original Plans – HB 1 (House); SB 1 (Senate)
    • Passed = April 11, 2011 (House); April 12, 2011 (Senate) (R-controlled)
    • Signed = April 14, 2011
    • Preclearance = Granted as to House plan on June 20, 2011 and as to Senate plan on June 28, 2011
  • Litigation History
    • None

2000

• Congressional
  • Original Plan – HB 2
    • Passed = October 15, 2001 (D-controlled)
    • Signed = October 19, 2001
    • Preclearance = Granted on April 1, 2002
  • Litigation History
    • None
• Legislative
  • Original Plans – HB 1 (House); SB 1 (Senate)
    • Passed = October 12, 2001 (D-controlled)
    • Signed = October 16, 2001
    • Preclearance = Granted as to Senate plan on July 2, 2002; Denied as to House plan.
  • Revised House Plan – HB 779
    • Passed = May 7, 2003 (D-controlled)
    • Signed = May 7, 2003
    • Preclearance = Granted on May 20, 2003
  • Revised Senate Plan – SB 927
    • Passed = May 12, 2003 (D-controlled)
    • Signed = May 13, 2003
  • 2nd Revised House Plan – HB 2011
    • Passed = June 3, 2003 (D-controlled)
    • Signed = June 3, 2003
  • 3rd Revised House Plan – HB 910
    • Passed = June 15, 2004 (D-controlled)
    • Signed = June 25, 2004
  • Litigation History
    • None