Civil rights groups say Purcell principle prevents Louisiana from suspending elections when votes have already been cast

Key Points:

• Louisiana is seeking rapid certification from the U.S. Supreme Court to eliminate its majority-Black congressional districts ahead of the fall midterms, following a ruling that weakens the Voting Rights Act.
• Black voters and civil rights groups argue that changing voting rules and maps so close to the election violates the Purcell principle, which aims to prevent voter confusion and election chaos.
• Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry declared an emergency suspension of the state’s U.S. House primary to redraw districts immediately, despite over 100,000 absentee ballots already sent and early voting underway.
• Civil rights groups have filed appeals urging the Supreme Court to maintain the stay until the ruling is officially certified and returned to lower courts, warning that suspending the election now would cause confusion and disenfranchisement.
• Rep. Cleo Fields encourages voters to continue participating in early voting despite the suspension, countering calls from former President Trump and state officials to cancel or nullify current elections.