By Wes Muller | Staff Writer
Check out our updated Voter Guide to the May 16 elections for U.S. Senate, Public Service Commission, Louisiana Supreme Court, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education as well as the proposed amendments to the state constitution.
Sen. Jay Morris, R-West Monroe, presents his bill to eliminate one of Louisiana’s majority-Black congressional districts to the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee. Republicans prevailed in a 4-3 vote to advance Morris’ proposed map, after having earlier rejected a bill with two districts favoring Democrats. (Piper Hutchinson/LAI)
By Piper Hutchinson
A Louisiana Senate committee spent nearly 10 hours overnight debating a pair redistricting proposals for the state’s congressional seats. It was close to 4:30 a.m. when the hearing culminated with Republican lawmakers advancing a proposal that would likely force one of state’s Black U.S. House members out of office in this year’s midterm elections.
U.S. Rep. Troy Carter, D-New Orleans, shakes hands with Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams before a town hall meeting May 11, 2026, at Dillard University’s Georges Auditorium. (Greg LaRose/LAI)
By Greg LaRose
A day before state lawmakers were expected to advance congressional maps to curb or outright eliminate Louisiana’s Black representation in Congress, a panel of city leaders called on a standing-room-only crowd to rally behind Democratic candidates and officials rather than give up hope.
Louisiana Rep. John Illg, R-Harahan, has sponsored legislation that would increase compensation for state lawmakers and statewide elected officials. (Allison Allsop/LAI)
By Julie O’Donoghue
The Louisiana House of Representatives has voted to increase their own compensation and the salaries of statewide elected officials, including the governor. Some House members then tried to reverse their votes — only to find out they might not necessarily get to make that change.
By Wes Muller
Louisiana will soon join a short list of states with consequences for those who make false claims of military service or honors. The penalties will be particularly harsh for a particular type of offender.
COMMENTARY
By Robert Collins
The May 16 statewide election is shaping up to be one of the most unusual ballots in recent memory. What would typically be a low-profile primary election has instead become a measure of voter anger and a test of a new closed primary system.
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