Voters and voting rights groups filed lawsuits against Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry on Friday, challenging his order to suspend the state's May 16 House primary. The groups argue the governor overstepped his executive authority by delaying the election to give lawmakers time to draw new congressional districts after the Supreme Court rejected the current map as an illegal racial gerrymander.

With early in-person voting set to begin Saturday, the legal action threatens to further disrupt Louisiana's rapidly shifting election calendar. The plaintiffs—represented by the ACLU, ACLU of Louisiana, and Legal Defense Fund—contend the Supreme Court ruling doesn't constitute an emergency under Louisiana law. Eric Holder, the former U.S. attorney general, accused Landry of weaponizing the court decision to disenfranchise voters. Other contests, including a competitive Senate primary, will proceed as scheduled on May 16.

Attorney General Liz Murrill has pledged to vigorously defend the state's position. The legal battle unfolds against the backdrop of Louisiana's prolonged redistricting struggle since the 2020 census, when Black voters first challenged the original map as an illegal dilution of their voting power. A federal court later ruled the map violated the Voting Rights Act, prompting the current crisis.