Lawmakers in Louisiana approved a new congressional map Friday that could strengthen Republican control in the state and potentially flip one of the two Democratic-held U.S. House seats during the 2026 midterm elections.

The new map eliminates one of Louisiana’s two majority-Black congressional districts following a recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the United States that struck down the state’s previous map as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander.

The decision is expected to intensify national debates over voting rights, racial representation and redistricting ahead of the 2026 elections.

Republicans defend the new map

The Louisiana Senate gave final approval to the proposal after heated debate between Republican and Democratic lawmakers.

Jay Morris, a Republican, argued the map followed traditional redistricting standards.

“I think we have a map here that meets all the traditional redistricting criteria,” Morris said during debate. “It’s not racially gerrymandered.”

Republicans also argued they were required to redraw the districts because of the Supreme Court ruling issued earlier this month.

The approved map closely resembles Louisiana’s earlier congressional boundaries adopted in 2022, which favored Republicans with five Republican-leaning districts and one Democratic district.

Democrats warn of reduced Black representation

Democratic lawmakers strongly criticized the proposal, arguing it weakens Black political representation in a state with a long history of racial discrimination in voting.

Royce Duplessis warned that the map could eventually be struck down again in court.

“We are building a house on a broken foundation,” Duplessis said during Senate debate.

Meanwhile, Kyle Green accused lawmakers of ignoring Louisiana’s racial history by supporting what he described as a “colorblind” approach to redistricting.

Black lawmakers and civil rights advocates argue the removal of a majority-Black district could reduce the ability of Black voters to elect candidates of their choice.

Supreme Court ruling reshaped the process

The redistricting battle follows a landmark Supreme Court decision that limited how Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 can be applied in redistricting cases.

That ruling triggered new map disputes not only in Louisiana but also in several other states where racial representation and partisan balance remain central issues.

The decision has raised concerns among Democrats and voting-rights groups that fewer Black representatives could ultimately serve in Congress.

Potential impact on the 2026 elections

Political analysts say the new Louisiana congressional map could help Republicans gain an additional seat in the U.S. House of Representatives during the 2026 midterms.

Currently, Democrats hold two congressional districts in the state. The revised map is expected to make one of those districts significantly more favorable to Republicans.

The legal battle over the map may not be finished, however. Democratic lawmakers and voting-rights advocates have already suggested the new boundaries could face fresh court challenges before the 2026 elections take place.

Author: Staff Writer | Edited for WTFwire.com | SOURCE: ABC News