Louisiana's congressional primaries will not move forward as scheduled following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that struck down a majority Black congressional district, state officials announced Thursday. Early voting will begin Saturday, May 2, and the general election is set for May 16, but House races will be suspended from the ballot while other contests proceed normally.
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry certified an emergency declaration Thursday, a mandatory procedural step that allows Governor Jeff Landry to issue an executive order suspending the House races. "Pursuant to 18:401.1(B), I have certified the emergency in light of the Supreme Court ruling," Landry said. "All other races on the ballot, besides the U.S. House races, will continue as scheduled, with early voting beginning on Saturday."
The arrangement means voters will cast ballots on May 16, and early voting periods will operate normally, but any votes cast in House races will not be counted. The Secretary of State's office plans to post notices at all early voting sites alerting the public to this change.
Governor Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill released a joint statement explaining that the high court's ruling effectively prohibits the state from conducting congressional primaries under the current district map. "The State is currently enjoined from carrying out congressional elections under the current map," they said. "We are working together with the Legislature and the Secretary of State's office to develop a path forward."
It remains unclear whether the U.S. Senate race will be affected by potential delays as the state navigates the court's decision and works to establish new congressional boundaries for future elections.
