The NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the Southern Poverty Law Center, the NAACP Louisiana State Conference, Louisiana Progress, Black Voters Matter Fund, Progressive Social Network and Power Coalition for Equity and Justice sent a letter concerning the redistricting process for the East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana School Board. The letter reminds the Board of its obligations under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act during the redistricting process. As LDF’s analysis shows, Only three (3) of the nineteen (19) maps the Board plans to vote to adopt on Wednesday, March 30, 2022, may comply with Section 2. The groups urge the Board to 1) adopt only those School Board maps that comply with federal law, including Section 2; and 2) give the public a meaningful opportunity to provide feedback on any proposed maps adopted on March 30, LA. Rev. State 17:58.2, and meaningfully incorporate that public feedback into any ratified map.
Read the full letter here.
LDF has been closely monitoring the redistricting processes in Louisiana and other key states to prevent discriminatory redistricting plans and ensure that legislatures comply with their obligations under the Voting Rights Act and the U.S. Constitution. Read more about LDF’s redistricting work here.
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Founded in 1940, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF) is the nation’s first civil and human rights law organization. LDF has been completely separate from the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) since 1957—although LDF was originally founded by the NAACP and shares its commitment to equal rights. LDF’s Thurgood Marshall Institute is a multi-disciplinary and collaborative hub within LDF that launches targeted campaigns and undertakes innovative research to shape the civil rights narrative. In media attributions, please refer to us as the NAACP Legal Defense Fund or LDF. Follow LDF on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.