Supreme Court districting ruling creates confusion in Louisiana early voting

Amna Nawaz:

Early voting continues in Louisiana today, even as the status of the state's primary elections remains in flux.

Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Louisiana's congressional map, and the state's Republican governor suspended primary elections for the U.S. House, so new districts could be set. But voting for the U.S. senate race is proceeding.

Liz Landers is in Baton Rouge tonight and joins us now with more.

So, Liz, just remind us, how did we get here in the first place, and what is the latest with those efforts to redraw Louisiana's congressional maps?

Liz Landers:

Amna, the Supreme Court struck down the existing map here in Louisiana, calling it an illegal racial gerrymander.

Louisiana has six congressional districts. Two of them are majority-minority districts represented by two, black congressmen, Troy Carter and also Cleo Fields; 30-something percent of Louisianians are black residents.

And Governor Jeff Landry announced last week that he was going to redraw the congressional maps here, and he has suspended for now those House primaries, which were set for May 16. Tomorrow, the Louisiana Statehouse, just a few steps away from where we are here in Baton Rouge, is going to start that process of redrawing the maps.

The Senate and Governmental Affairs committee is going to meet at 9:00 a.m. They're going to have public testimony as part of that. And the chairman of that committee told The Louisiana Illuminator that he is considering a map that will have only one majority-black district, instead the current two, and that will likely preserve the district of Congressman Fields.

Amna Nawaz:

Liz, all of this has to be very confusing for people in Louisiana. You were at the polls talking to voters today. What did they tell you?

Liz Landers:

We were at early voting locations last night and this morning, and voters are confused. Actually, one woman that I spoke with this morning did not know about this redistricting process and didn't realize that she may have to cast another ballot in those House primaries here.

Adding to this confusion too, there are 40,000 people that already voted by mail, and those ballots have already been accepted by the secretary of state. So, right now, the ballots have those house races on them, but the secretary of state has said that the results in those contests will not be counted.

We spoke with one voter, Baton Rouge resident Eric Johnson, last night. He's an accountant, and he reacted to the Supreme Court decision and said that he felt that it was rushed. Listen.

Eric Johnson, Louisiana Voter:

Just to make things work in a certain way or to get a certain outcome, a more certain outcome. I don't -- I just don't think that's fair. That's not for the people. That's self-serving.

Liz Landers:

Another woman that I spoke with earlier this morning said that she was really mad about this redistricting. She thought that the decision from the Supreme Court was racist. She's a Democratic voter.

But a Republican voter, an older gentleman, said that he thought that that decision from the Supreme Court was the right one and that districts should not be decided by race, Amna.

Amna Nawaz:

So, Liz, all of this will undoubtedly have an impact on the House races.

I know you spoke with one of the congressmen who may be impacted by this redistricting. What did he have to say?

Liz Landers:

Congressman Cleo Fields has been having several town halls in the last few days throughout his district. He said he's hearing the same kind of confusion from voters about whether they should go cast their ballots or not. He is encouraging people to vote still at this moment.

But, for him personally, he said that he was devastated by the Supreme Court decision and that he's worried about the broader impacts of it.

Rep. Cleo Fields (D-LA):

Tough decision. Tough decision, because of the implications, not on the Sixth District, but nationwide, not just on congressional districts, legislative districts, city council, school board, judges, and that's the real disappointment today.

Liz Landers:

Congressman Fields told us that he is not interested in running against the other majority-minority congressman here, Troy Carter. So we will see if he ends up running for reelection here and how these maps are redrawn.

But as these House primaries are on hold, there is still a Senate Republican primary that is under way here that is getting quite a bit of attention. Senator Bill Cassidy is running, and his -- he has two opponents that he's running against right now. One of them has been endorsed by President Trump, and there is no clear winner in that field.

We will have more reporting on that in the coming days -- Amna.

Amna Nawaz:

All right, that is Liz Landers reporting from Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Liz, thank you.

Liz Landers:

Of course.