A federal judge on Monday blocked the use of newly drawn congressional maps in Louisiana that include only one mostly Black district, and she ordered the Legislature to come up with a remedial plan by June 20, reports the Associated Press.
State officials swiftly filed a notice of appeal of the order by U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick in Baton Rouge. Dick’s June 20 deadline for drawing new district lines is one month before the signup period for the Nov. 8 congressional election.
“If the Legislature is unable to pass a remedial plan by that date, the court will issue additional orders to enact a remedial plan compliant with the laws and Constitution of the United States,” the judge wrote.
The district map was drawn up in a special session earlier this year by the Republican-dominated Legislature. Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed the maps but his veto was overridden. That led to a lawsuit by voting rights advocates.
