Civil rights groups sue over Louisiana suspended primary

Stay connected via Google News

Follow us for the latest updates from Unheard Voices

A coalition of civil rights groups filed an emergency motion Friday to stop Gov. Jeff Landry from suspending Louisiana’s congressional primary after voting had already begun statewide, arguing the move is unlawful and threatens ballots already cast.

Emergency Motion Over Louisiana Primary

The League of Women Voters of Louisiana, the Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, and three individual voters filed the motion in state court. They are represented by the Legal Defense Fund, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the ACLU of Louisiana. Their filings argue the governor’s executive order exceeds his authority under Louisiana law.

The plaintiffs say the suspension creates a path for lawmakers to redraw the state’s congressional map in ways that could weaken Black political representation. They cite the U.S. Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, which struck down the state’s previous map and sharply limited federal protections for voters of color.

According to the Legal Defense Fund and the ACLU, the governor’s order “injects chaos” into an election already underway and places at risk the votes of residents who have already cast absentee ballots.

Plaintiffs Say the Governor Overstepped His Legal Powers

The lawsuit argues Louisiana’s emergency statutes do not authorize suspending an election once voting has started. Plaintiffs say the governor’s order improperly intrudes on the Supreme Court’s authority to determine how its ruling applies to this year’s midterm cycle.

They also warn the order could disenfranchise voters who followed the rules and submitted ballots before the suspension. Their filing states that emergency powers “are not a license to rewrite election rules midstream.”

The ACLU of Louisiana said the order “undermines public trust” and “threatens the stability of the electoral process.”

Supreme Court Ruling Sets the Stage in Louisiana Primary

The governor’s order came days after the Supreme Court’s 6–3 decision in Louisiana v. Callais. The ruling invalidated Louisiana’s second majority‑Black district and narrowed the scope of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Voting‑rights groups say the decision weakened federal protections for voters of color and emboldened state officials to take aggressive steps.

Gov. Landry argues the suspension is necessary because the state cannot hold elections under a map the Court struck down. He says the order allows lawmakers to draw a new map “as soon as practical.”

What Happens Next

The plaintiffs are seeking a temporary restraining order to restore the original primary schedule and ensure all absentee ballots already cast remain valid. State and federal judges are now weighing multiple emergency filings as the legal fight accelerates.

You can view the filing here.