The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has blocked an order from a federal judge that called for state lawmakers to redraw a Congressional district map with two majority-minority districts. House Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski played a major role in drawing a Congressional map with one Black majority district and is pleased with the appellate court’s action.
“This is the judicial process at work, no one judge has the final say that’s why we have an appeals process and in this case that was exercised,” said Stefanski.
Republican legislative leaders say next week’s special session called by the governor to redraw a Congressional district map should be canceled. Stefanski says if the governor does not rescind his call for a special session, lawmakers could convene on Wednesday and adjourn minutes later.
“That could mean you could see a very quick end of the session, probably on that first day,” said Stefanski.
Stefanski says that based on an ongoing Alabama redistricting case, Louisiana can use the Congressional map approved by lawmakers in February for this fall’s congressional election.
“You can go ahead and go forward with this next election and we’ll have a full trial on the merits down the line,” said Stefanski.
U.S. Middle District Judge Shelly Dick ordered on Monday for state lawmakers to redraw a six-district Congressional map with two Black majority districts by June 20th. That prompted Governor Edwards to call for a special session to begin on June 16th.
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