A federal court in Shreverport is hearing arguments this week from a suit filed by Republicans over the state’s congressional map which added two majority-black districts. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino said the plaintiffs are claiming the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment and that the map is essentially racial gerrymandering.
“That the state legislature established a racial target and drew the lines with race being, certainly a predominant factor, and some might argue it was the only factor,” said Ciolino.
In recent affirmative action decisions, Ciolino said the United States Supreme Court has been critical of states treating race differently. He said if race was the predominant factor for drawing the maps…
“Then the state does face a potential order striking the new congressional districts as violating the Equal Protection Clause,” said Ciolino.
Ciolino said the state will argue there was a compelling state interest to satisfy the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in passing the current map. He believes it will be difficult for the state to contend because…
“Everyone who was involved and who watched the process of drawing these districts knows that race was the predominant if not the only factor,” said Ciolino.
A May deadline has been set for a decision so candidates will know the districts they’ll be running for in the November 5th election.
