Issues surrounding election integrity are still at the forefront for many, including in Sportsman's Paradise, where a case about redistricting has been brought all the way to the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court has decided to hear arguments on a case that challenges the state's congressional map after it was redrawn and includes a majority-black district that did not previously exist, as KWCH reported.

This particular case kicked off more than a year ago and will have been heard on Monday, with both sides arguing about the constitutionality of the move.

The New Map

The map being questioned was one drawn and approved by the state legislature following the 2020 census.

Out of the six districts in the state, one had a Black majority. A third of the state's population is Black, which is why the map was contested.

“After years and years of litigation, the legislature was finally compelled to do the right thing and pass a map that provided black voters with a fair opportunity to participate, and specifically to elect their candidate of choice. Now, in two districts” said Victoria Wegner, an attorney with the Legal Defense Fund, which has been heavily involved in the Louisiana redistricting litigation.

Map's Impact

Following the implementation of the map, the state's second black Democrat representative, Rep. Cleo Fields (D-LA), was elected in the November 2024 election.

Another lawsuit against the new map was filed by a number of non-Black voters even before the election took place.

They claim the state violated the United States Constitution by engaging in racial gerrymandering.

“Basically the state predominantly, we would say solely used race to draw to force a second Black majority district. It imposed a two district quota on the state,” said Edward Greim, who is an attorney for the defendants in the case before the Supreme Court.

Election Adherence

Two districts with Black majorities were still able to hold their elections in November, but a lower court ultimately sided with the non-Black voters.

In response to that decision, the state and civil rights organizations filed an appeal with the Supreme Court, requesting permission to keep using the revised maps.

The stakes are high, according to both camps, and not only for Louisianans but for voters nationwide.

“It’s going to forecast how redistricting is conducted for decades to come. And for Louisianans, it’s going to determine the fairness of their map, representation for black voters,” said Wegner.