Federal Judge Blocks GOP-Drawn Congressional Map

    Image copyright: Getty Images [via Ebony]

    The Facts

    • On Mon., a federal judge ruled that Louisiana's new congressional map must be redrawn to include a second Black-majority district by June 20.

    • Judge Shelly D. Dick of the US Dist. Court for the Middle Dist. of Louisiana issued a ruling explaining that the House map enacted by the GOP-controlled state legislature illegally left just one majority-Black district.


    The Spin

    Democratic narrative

    The GOP is blatantly trying to prevent Black residents from getting their fair share of representation in government. There should be at least one more majority Black congressional district based on the demographics of the state.

    Republican narrative

    The map follows federal law and doesn't dilute Black voting strength. Judge Dick's ruling wasn't made on legitimate grounds and it will be close to impossible to redraw the map by the deadline. Eventually, the courts will see the error of her decision.

    Establishment-critical narrative

    Both Democrats and Republicans gerrymander massively, making American democracy far from fair. Election laws should change.


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