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On The Docket: Equal Representation in Louisiana

Team,

Last November, something happened for the first time in nearly three decades: Louisiana elected two Black members of Congress.

Take it from me, someone whose job includes analyzing the consequences of election results — this was about more than deciding which candidates would serve in office. It was a stand for fair representation, voting rights, and justice.

And it happened because Black Louisianans had newfound freedom to exercise hard-won political power.

This month, you’ve gotten emails from several of my colleagues at All On The Line about the backstory behind this election, the new fair map that made it possible, and how that map is now up for review at the U.S. Supreme Court.

Louisiana’s population is about one-third Black — yet until recently, because of gerrymandering, Black Louisianans only had the ability to elect the candidate of their choice in one of the state’s six U.S. House districts.

Because Louisiana voters — with support from our affiliate, the National Redistricting Foundation — challenged that gerrymandered map in court, the state was forced to draw a new congressional map finally providing Black Louisianans with the equal representation they deserve under the Voting Rights Act.

In 2024 — for the first time in decades — there were two districts where Black voters had the opportunity to elect candidates of their choice, instead of just one.

This additional district transformed political representation for Black Louisianans. Communities that had been split across multiple districts to dilute their voting power were finally united with a meaningful voice in Congress. Voters who had been effectively silenced finally had the opportunity to see their priorities and concerns addressed by a candidate of their choosing.

As Congressman Cleo Fields said before his election to represent the newly redrawn 6th District:

"It's important that every person in the state has the opportunity to elect a candidate of their choice… At the end of the day it makes Democracy better when people are included."

Since his swearing-in at the beginning of this year, Congressman Fields has hosted a series of town halls to hear from constituents in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Alexandria, Shreveport, Opelousas, and Natchitoches.

Here’s how local news station KALB described one of those sessions:

“Throughout the meeting, Fields addressed a wide range of issues raised by his constituents, from the ongoing insurance crisis and homelessness to food insecurity, veterans affairs, and concerns about potential cuts to funding for Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as Medicaid… Fields added that he plans to take the concerns he heard tonight and work on them in Congress.”

Every American should have an equal opportunity to make their voice heard in our democracy — from town halls to the ballot box — and hold their leaders accountable.

But in Louisiana, the fight for equal participation is far from over.

Next week, the U.S. Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in a case that could overturn Louisiana’s fair map — ripping rightful representation away from people who finally won it.

No matter what happens next, All On The Line will keep exposing the realities of gerrymandering, mobilizing our grassroots movement behind fair maps in Louisiana and around the country, and advocating for the principle of equal participation in our democracy.

Can we count on you to support All On The Line and fight back against gerrymandering across the country by making a contribution today? → [link removed]

Thanks,

Claire Low
Director of Political and Campaigns
All On The Line

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All On The Line [[link removed]] is the grassroots advocacy campaign supported by the National Redistricting Action Fund. Support our work to end gerrymandering.

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