Governor John Bel Edwards gives COVID briefing January 13, 2022.
Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s carefully examing the Congressional, legislative, PSC, and BESE maps the state Legislature approved. Edwards is concerned none of the maps reflect a growth in the African American population by adding more majority-minority districts. ULM Political Science Professor Joshua Stockley said the governor can veto these maps.
“He has indicated his opposition however he hasn’t said whether he’d vote these maps or not,” Stockley said.
The Legislative Black Caucus and House Democrats are urging the governor to veto the Congressional maps because it only has one majority-minority district. They believe that violates the Voting Rights Act. Stockley says Republican lawmakers could override the governor’s veto, but if Edwards doesn’t use his veto authority, he would disappoint his biggest supporters.
“It would appear he’s on the losing side of the battle but sometimes the symbolic stand is more important than what actually happens,” Stockley said.
Lawmakers held a historic veto session after last year’s regular session, but Edwards convinced enough lawmakers not to support overriding a controversial anti-transgender sports bill. Stockley says can the governor do that again if there’s another veto session…
“You can only call in those favors you can only utilize pressures so many times before you just don’t have them anymore,” Stockley said.
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