Louisiana
Guest column: Louisiana’s voting maps are an important piece of our democracy
Louisianans are living in a time of profound consequence where political ideology and political identity are at the center of fundamental questions impacting the state’s constitution, congressional maps and Supreme Court districts. If that weren’t enough, our Legislature’s ability, or lack thereof, to pass into law maps that comply with the Voting Rights Act and the United States Supreme Court’s recent decision in Milligan vs. Alabama place Louisiana in the national spotlight.
Voting rights advocates from around the country are paying close attention to whether our Legislature preemptively redraws our congressional maps to include two majority-Black congressional districts or continues its ill-advised legal pursuit to validate our state’s current congressional map. If our elected officials are able to do the former, Louisiana will have seized a crucial opportunity to lead both Southern states and conservative-led state governments towards realizing, as the founders penned, “a more perfect union” for our democracy.
Failure to construct fair and equitable maps leaves Louisiana vulnerable to judicial intervention, wastes taxpayer dollars and places our state once again on the wrong side of voting rights history.
Creating a more perfect union requires leaders with the courage to take incremental steps toward realizing the promises of our representative democracy. It is through these consequential steps that a more perfect union is realized. The inclusion of two majority-Black districts is one of these important steps. As such, political leaders in the Deep South can no longer afford to perpetuate the status quo of voter suppression and disenfranchisement.
Louisiana politicians who fail to ensure that all Louisianans — irrespective of their race, religion, education or geography — have the right to elect officials representing their values contradict what it means to be American. This special legislative session has provided Louisiana with the rare opportunity to distinguish its current trajectory from our complex past. This is an opportunity for our state to embrace what we as a country are supposed to be about — one person, one vote, one country.
The benefits Louisiana stands to gain by embracing its diversity are substantial. We live in a world where echo chambers of political affiliation continue to erode our institutions and harm our neighbors rather than promoting an environment of collective growth and prosperity. To that end, it is disappointing, yet unsurprising, that there is opposition to ensuring that all Louisiana residents are meaningfully able to participate in our political process. However, because those with power and influence continue to use political ideology and to a lesser extent one’s political identity to invoke fear in residents — fear of the unknown and fear of loss, particularly loss of power, prestige and prosperity — our democracy falls short of safeguarding that Black and other marginalized communities are able to enjoy the freedoms and protections our constitution and laws provide.
Consequently, it is important to highlight these factors when contemplating any decision of importance by the Legislature, as fear usually takes center stage in debates such as these where White residents look to mitigate the feelings associated with “losing” their voting power. That is why advocates in favor of implementing congressional maps to include two majority-Black districts must do all that we can to highlight that this legislative session isn’t about taking anything away, but instead ensuring everyone gets what they deserve under the law based on the growth and diversity of our population.
Finally, as the state’s conservative supermajority is poised to make its first major impression on our residents, it’s the hope of the Urban League of Louisiana that the Legislature wields its sacred authority to enact laws and our congressional Supreme Court maps justly. This is the occasion to do what is morally and legally correct without judicial intervention. Whether or not the Legislature is successful in enacting compliant maps, the Urban League of Louisiana will continue to ensure that Black Louisianans and other marginalized communities have the parity, power and civil rights they deserve and that our democracy demands.
Charles E.J. Phipps is the Urban League of Louisiana’s senior director for policy, advocacy and legal affairs.
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – It’s Election Day, and many voters are deciding on some closely watched primary run-offs, which will determine who appears on the ballot in November.
Polls are open as of 7 a.m. on June 27 and will close at 8 p.m. You will still be able to vote as long as you are in line by 8 p.m.
Election coverage
Fox 8 will bring you analysis as the numbers come in. Our election coverage starts at 9 p.m. on our streaming apps and online.
Who’s on the ballot?
Today is the Republican primary runoff between Stephanie Hilferty and John Young for Louisiana Public Service Commission District 1.
And in the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education District 1 race, Joseph Cao and Ellie Schroder are going head-to-head.
Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming and Congresswoman Julia Letlow face off for the Republican U.S Senate nomination.
This week, a JMC Analytics poll put Fleming five points higher than Letlow.
Gary Crockett and Jamie Davis are the two candidates on the U.S Senate Democratic ballot.
On May 16, Davis got 47 percent of the vote statewide in the Democratic primary. Crockett got 26 percent of the vote.
Fox 8 interviewed the Republican and Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate. You can watch those interviews below:
Voters will also decide how much they want to fund 140 St. Tammany sheriff’s deputies. Fox 8 covered this proposal extensively, and voters can learn more HERE.
New party primary rules
In June 27th’s runoff, voters must stick with the same party they selected in the May election. For example, those who voted Republican in May must vote Republican in this runoff.
However, in the November general election, all voters can select any candidate on the ballot regardless of party.
The Louisiana Secretary of State website lists requirements voters should know before heading to the polls.
What should I bring?
Be prepared to show one of the following before voting:
- a driver’s license;
- a Louisiana Special ID;
- LA Wallet digital driver’s license;
- a United States military identification card that contains your name and picture; or
- some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature.
Where do I vote?
You can use the Louisiana Voter Portal to find where you vote on election day, or you can call your parish Registrar of Voters Office. Your voter information card, which is sent by mail, lists your polling place.
Click HERE to find your voting precinct by entering personal information, such as your zip code. This method gives you the most specific information.
Can I vote by mail?
In Louisiana, only certain citizens can vote by mail, including:
- military or overseas citizens;
- senior citizens (65+);
- voters with disabilities;
- higher education students & professors;
- religious clergy;
- voters temporarily absent during early voting and election day;
- voters who moved to a new parish more than 100 miles from former residence within 30 days of election;
- persons involuntarily confined to institution;
- sequestered jurors;
- voters hospitalized or who expect to be hospitalized during early voting and election day;
- voters employed upon state waters;
- voters incarcerated for non-felony with sheriff’s certification; and
- participants in the state’s address confidentiality program.
For more information, click HERE.
What if I have a disability?
People with visual impairments and the person assisting them in voting may go to the front of the line at their polling place.
According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website, a voter is entitled to receive assistance while voting if they are unable to read or unable to vote without assistance because of a physical disability, including being visually impaired. A voter may choose to use the audio ballot instead of receiving assistance.
However, voters must either file a statement with the registrar in person or by mail before the election if they need assistance in voting or complete an affidavit and/or provide specific documentation to the commissioner on election day.
For more information, click HERE.
Rules on advocating
According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website, you should never wear, hand out, or display anything advocating for or against any candidate, proposition, or political party appearing on the ballot in the election while voting. All polling places have a 600 foot campaign free zone.
To see what exactly will be on your ballot, find polling locations, and more, you can go to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website HERE.
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Copyright 2026 WVUE. All rights reserved.
ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) – After being hired as the new head coach of the Southern Jaguars, Marshall Faulk made the trip to Central Louisiana to help promote his program.
“These are my eyes for the talent in this area,” Faulk told KALB. “We’re aggressive about recruiting the State of Louisiana, and so when there’s good talent and players coming up here, hanging out with some of the people that I know.”
Southern is Faulk’s first head coaching job after spending last season as an assistant at Colorado.
“I’ve done a lot of stuff in the states that I’ve lived,” Faulk said. “Being born here, I hadn’t done a lot around helping youth sports and helping kids in this environment. I’ve got a lot of information and education around football and things that I can give, and this is a great opportunity to give back.”
The Jaguars only won two games in 2025, but are just two years removed from a SWAC Championship Game appearance.
“Just the guys learning how to practice their willingness to learn,” Faulk said on the traits he’s seen thus far from his team. “They’re wanting their desire to get better, and that’s all you want.”
Southern opens up their season on August 29 against Alabama State at the Birmingham Football Classic.
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Copyright 2026 KALB. All rights reserved.
The Louisiana Department of Transportation & Development recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the official completion of the $128 million I-20 Major Rehabilitation Project in Bossier and Caddo Parishes.
[Above photo by Louisiana DOTD]
The project, noted as being one of the largest investments in the I-20 corridor in many years, included a total rebuild of all the travel lanes and ramps at five interchanges from near Hamilton Road to LA 782-2 (Industrial Drive) in Bossier City.
Work began on this I-20 project in September 2023, which included removing all of the original pavement and roadway base down to the dirt – fully reconstructing them with all new material, the first project of its kind for this section of interstate since it was built in the 1960s.
The project also included extensive concrete panel replacements across the Red River on sections of I-20 in Shreveport; drainage structure installation and improvements; new overhead signage and related components; updated street lighting, a new barrier wall, and headlight glare screens; plus fresh roadway striping and reflectorized pavement markings.
The agency said contractors completed all major construction work such as concrete paving by late 2025, with final items – including permanent roadway striping and signage – finished over the last several months.
“The I-20 project is a testament to what we can accomplish when collaboration is at the forefront and everyone works toward a common goal, which is to deliver a large-scale investment that positively impacts the quality of life for thousands of citizens,” noted Governor Jeff Landry (R) in a statement.
“Executing such a vast infrastructure improvement also demonstrates government accountability, effective project management, and a commitment to delivering on our promises,” he said.
“The I-20 major rehabilitation project was a transformational investment in one of the most vital transportation corridors in not only Louisiana, but also across the entire southern United States,” added Glenn Ledet, Louisiana DOTD secretary. “Meaningful advancements like this one help ensure reliability, safety, and resilience – all of which are essential to strengthening the larger transportation network.”
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