Louisiana Legislature in Special Session: Congressional Maps on the Agenda
The political spotlight has pivoted sharply to Baton Rouge, where Louisiana lawmakers convened a critical special session. At stake is nothing less than the state's 2025 federal election calendar, as legislators race to outmaneuver a potential legal crisis known as the "Purcell" problem.
Why Louisiana’s Special Session Matters
Political columnist and commentator Scott McKay recently told KEEL News why lawmakers are considering moving the 2025 federal election cycle one month later. The goal: avoid a “Purcell” problem, the Supreme Court’s caution about courts changing election rules too close to voting.
Pushing dates from January toward February or March gives the Court room to rule on the Calhoun redistricting matter without disrupting qualifying or balloting. “They don’t want to screw up the timeline of an election,” McKay said.
Could the Court Act Early?
McKay allowed that justices already debated key pieces last term and know other states’ qualifying dates are coming up, so a quicker opinion is possible. If a ruling lands soon, lawmakers could lock in a compliant map and calendar.
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If a Supreme Court decision arrives by June, the state would need to navigate filed candidates and existing timelines, with regular session options but fewer clean fixes.
Jungle Primary Chatter and Cassidy Calculus
There is also quiet talk, he said, about a one-cycle return to the open primary to keep November and December voting on track if a June ruling lands. McKay framed it as a strategic question for U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, suggesting a closed primary plus runoff is tougher terrain: “He can’t get to 50,” McKay said, adding that an open primary could change that math. He doubted there is a legislative majority to engineer a one-off switch.
What Happens Next in the Louisiana Redistricting Battle
McKay urged someone to file a contingent congressional map now, triggered by the eventual Supreme Court decision. That approach, he said, gives Louisiana a ready plan whether the Court tweaks Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act or flags equal-protection concerns. It would also spare voters a possibly confusing scramble.