(The Center Square) — Louisiana lawmakers are advancing a pair of redistricting bills to realign state legislative districts with newly updated voting precincts ahead of the 2027 elections, using population data from the 2020 U.S. Census.
House Bill 488, authored by Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-Baton Rouge, and its Senate counterpart (SB487) would redraw all 105 House districts and 39 Senate districts, respectively.
While redistricting typically follows each decennial census, the bills reflect recent changes to voting precincts submitted by parish governments through Jan. 16, which lawmakers say must be incorporated to ensure the smooth administration of future elections.
The revised maps do not use new population data but instead update geographic boundaries to match precinct modifications made at the parish level since the 2020 Census. Those changes are compiled in official “2025 Precinct Shapefiles” maintained by the legislature.
The Shapefiles were updated to reflect precinct changes submitted to the Legislature by Assumption, Bienville, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, St. Charles, Tangipahoa, Tensas and Union parishes.
Under both bills, the new district lines would take effect for election purposes upon the governor’s signature or if no action is taken before the deadline. However, the current districts would remain in place until January 10, 2028, for all other legal purposes, such as determining district-based appointments and representation.
Neither measure shortens the term of any elected official, according to the bills. Positions filled after January 2028 would be based on the newly drawn districts.
The legislation does not mark a full redistricting cycle — those remain constitutionally required only after the census.
Both bills include accompanying maps and population summaries.
