Louisiana House Bill HB444

Louisiana 2011 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/25/11
• Refer: 4/25/11

Caption

Provides for the districts for the election of members to the House of Representatives

Impact

The bill's implementation will have significant implications for electoral processes within the state. As the redistricting plan is set to become effective for election purposes in 2011, it represents a proactive approach to reflect demographic changes since the last census. This kind of realignment is essential for fair representation, as the ideal population for each district is established at approximately 43,174 persons. The adjustments are intended to rectify any discrepancies in population distribution among districts, which can affect electoral competitiveness and representation equity.

Summary

House Bill 444 proposes a comprehensive redistricting plan for the House of Representatives in Louisiana. It stipulates the creation of 105 representative districts, ensuring that each district is composed of clearly defined precincts based on the 2010 Census data. This redistricting follows the constitutional obligation to reallocate representation in accordance with population shifts noted in the decennial census.

Contention

One notable point of contention surrounding HB 444 may involve how demographics are represented within the new districts. Changes to district lines could lead to disputes, especially in areas where populations have shifted significantly or where minority communities are concerned about fair representation. The bill also repeals previous provisions (R.S. 24:35.5), which may have addressed redistricting differently, raising concerns over potentially altering the balance of political power among different regions of the state. Stakeholders will likely scrutinize the details to ensure that the changes do not disenfranchise any voter groups.