FACTS
The new district map for the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Council is in violation of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (“VRA”) and the United States Constitution.
The largest ethnic group in East Baton Rouge Parish is Black (46%).
White residents have been declining in numbers in Baton Rouge and are no longer the majority.
The new maps would increase white control of the Metro Council by creating an additional majority-white council district.
The new district maps “pack" more than 68.5% of Black registered voters into 42% districts. They are designed to elect seven (7) White council members and only five (5) Black council members.
Blacks are the largest ethnic group in East Baton Rouge Parish, yet the Black representation on the Metro Council is in the minority.
The new district maps are an effort to maintain and increase white control of the Metro Council.