October 31, 2025

Greetings League Friends!

October was a whirlwind of activity for our League. On the last day of September, just as the federal government was headed to shutdown, we filed a lawsuit against three federal agencies—the Department of Homeland Security, Social Service Administration, and Department of Justice—for their aggregation, or pooling, of data from multiple federal agencies and state voter records into a “national data bank”. The data included the voting records of 2.9 million Louisiana voters in an investigation that revealed only 79 cases of actual noncitizens voting, going all the way back to 1980.

Our public statement on the case is as follows: “The consolidation and unlawful use of Louisianans’ sensitive data without our knowledge is alarming and terrifying. The League is proud to join this fight and stand up for Louisianans’ right to privacy and right to vote. Private information should never be used to silence or intimidate voters. This administration’s unlawful data collection threatens the very foundation of our democracy. We’re taking action to ensure every eligible voter in Louisiana — and across the country — can safely participate in our elections.” We will continue to keep members informed about the case’s progress as it proceeds through the federal court system.

Louisiana also dominated national voting rights and redistricting discussions this month with the rehearing of the Louisiana v. Callais case by the U.S. Supreme Court on October 15. Last month, LWVUS filed an amicus brief in the case, which you can read here. On October 14, the night before the rehearing, Leagues in Shreveport, Lafayette, and New Orleans held pre-rehearing rally/vigils at federal courthouses in their cities in order to come together to let the nation and the Court know that Louisiana wants fair maps. LWVLA has worked with voting rights coalition members for the last five years to defend districts that will allow Louisiana voters to choose representatives who can effectively represent their interests and aspirations. We hope that Section 2 and the Voting Rights Act will continue to be valuable tools  to aid our achievement of the goal of a fair and multiracial democracy.

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Even as our League continues to be involved in four concurrent lawsuits in service of voters’ rights and our organizational mission, League members continue to find time to provide voter and civic education in creative ways. LWVNO did voter education at LUSH Cosmetics. LWVLA President M. Christian Green spoke to League members from around the state at LWV of Caddo Bossier’s Fall Zoom Meeting on October 13 and dressed as Martha the Martian at the Lafayette “No Kings Rally” on October 18. LWV of Iberia dressed up as mad scientists, dispensing secret potions and voter information at a local “Trunk or Treat.” LWV of Lafayette had its annual meeting in a cozy Cranberry Cottage.

The “Unite & Rise 8.5” campaign to register, educate, and activate 8.5 million voters continues—and Louisiana is seeking to reach 160,000 Louisiana voters before the 2026 midterm elections. As always, if you’re not with us yet as a League member, join us, tell your friends, and consider a donation to fund our work. From voter education to protection of voting rights and democracy itself, your League is working for you!

Your LWVLA State Board

Upcoming Events in November:

  • November 11—Veterans Day
  • November 15—Local/Run-off Elections
  • November 27—Thanksgiving
  • November 28—Acadian Day