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After the Supreme Court struck down Louisiana’s congressional map, state lawmakers moved quickly to redraw it. Alabama lawmakers are following suit — and Mississippi officials are close behind.

In response, groups across the region are organizing, holding rallies, and pushing back against efforts to eliminate Black congressional districts.

The Gulf States Newsroom’s Drew Hawkins, Joseph King, and Elise Gregg have been following the movement across the region.

‘A civic engagement wildfire’ hits the Gulf South in response to redistricting efforts Groups across the Gulf South are organizing, holding rallies and pushing back against efforts to eliminate Black congressional districts.

Louisiana voters rejected Constitutional Amendment 3 on Saturday’s ballot, which would have funded a pay raise for teachers and support staff.

Of the 799,130 votes cast in the election, 58% of voters rejected the amendment.

Amendment 3 would have indirectly financed pay raises — $2,250 for teachers and $1,125 for support staff — by draining the state’s education trust funds.

READ MORE HERE:

Louisiana teachers face pay cut after voters reject plan to drain education trust funds While the state’s largest teachers' unions supported Amendment 3 on the May 16 ballot, some educators opposed the measure, and some union affiliates remained neutral as a result.

Louisiana voters rejected Amendment 2 resoundingly on Saturday, ending St. George's bid for its own breakaway school district.

Of the total 787,521 votes cast, 64% of voters statewide rejected the amendment. In East Baton Rouge, 69% of voters rejected it.

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Louisiana voters reject Amendment 2, ending bid for St. George school district Of the total 787,521 votes cast, 64% of voters statewide rejected the amendment. In East Baton Rouge, 69% of voters rejected it.

From Louisiana Illuminator: U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy incurred the wrath of pro-Trump Republicans in Louisiana who rejected his re-election bid in Saturday’s party primary election.

Instead, voters lined up behind Congresswoman Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming, who parlayed their stronger ties to the president to earn their way into next month’s GOP runoff.

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Incumbent Bill Cassidy knocked out in Louisiana’s GOP US Senate primary U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, Treasurer John Fleming to meet in June runoff; Jamie Davis, Nick Albares advance for Democrats.

Nearly 800,000 Louisianians voted in the May 16 election, with voters rejecting all five state constitutional amendments.

They also sent Rep. Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming to a runoff for Sen. Bill Cassidy's seat. Cassidy became the first incumbent senator to lose their primary race in 14 years.

Get full results from Saturday's election here:

May 16 election results: Louisiana voters reject all 5 amendments; see full results Get the full results from the May 16 election here.

The phones haven’t stopped ringing at the Louisiana Democratic Party offices in Baton Rouge since the polls opened Saturday morning — election day.

Executive director Dadrius Lanus said there have been too many to answer them all — as many as 300, possibly more — flooding in from across the state.

“And this is just the ones that we could field,” Lanus said. “We have been fielding calls since 6 a.m. People are still calling."

The calls describe the same issues residents who voted early described to the Gulf States Newsroom: ballot irregularities, voters unable to vote in the U.S. Senate primary, being steered away from Democratic ballots and election officials demanding that No Party voters sign affidavits without allowing them to retain copies.

READ MORE HERE:

Widespread confusion surrounds Louisiana's May 16 election, leaving voters 'frustrated' Similar issues that plagued early voting in Louisiana were present on election day. The state Democratic Party says the “mass confusion” amounts to “voter suppression and voter intimidation.”

Ahead of Saturday's election in Louisiana, some voters who voted early say they aren't sure what's even on the ballot — after Gov. Jeff Landry postponed a U.S. House primary race after the Supreme Court ruled the state's congressional district map was unconstitutional.

Others say their ballots didn't look the way they expected, even with the last-minute change.

The Gulf States Newsroom's Drew Hawkins has more.

Sen. Cassidy says changes to Louisiana's May 16 election have caused confusion, disenfranchisement In a “Red Alert” message, the incumbent senator claims “the Jeff Landry election process mess” has kept some from being able to cast their vote for him.

WRKF was proud to sponsor this year’s PRAL Luncheon, celebrating the incredible professionals helping shape public relations across our community.

Pictured here is our Membership Manager, Bea Cole, welcoming guests as we honored individuals making an impact in local PR, communications, and community engagement throughout the Baton Rouge Area.

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