Justice Department OK’s Louisiana Senate Redistricting Plan

The Louisiana Senate has received federal clearance for the redesign of its 39 districts for use in the fall election. The remapping of the 105 House districts already had won clearance from the Justice Department, despite complaints from black lawmakers that the map dilutes minority voting strength. The new Senate map's 39 districts contain one more majority-minority district than current districts. The newly approved maps will be used for deciding fall elections for state Senate.