Louisiana Lawmakers Plan 2026 Election Date Changes Ahead Supreme Court Redistricting Ruling

Louisiana lawmakers convened a special session to adjust the 2026 election calendar amid a pending U.S. Supreme Court ruling on redistricting that could reshape the state's six congressional districts. The Republican-led legislature proposed moving the primary elections back by roughly a month to allow time for the court's decision, which challenges the constitutionality of the 6th Congressional District designed to represent the Black population. This ruling, tied to the Voting Rights Act, could impact minority representation not only in Louisiana but also in other Southern states, potentially diminishing Democratic seats. Concurrently, Louisiana will implement closed-ballot primaries in 2026, a significant shift from the open primaries used since the 1970s, raising concerns about increased political division. Meanwhile, similar redistricting efforts in North Carolina have shifted a historically Democratic district to a likely Republican seat, evidencing the national stakes of redistricting battles. These developments reflect broader partisan tactics aimed at influencing representation ahead of upcoming elections across multiple states.