Landry executive order suspends Louisiana congressional primaries mid-mail-ballot after Callais ruling

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry issues an executive order on April 30, 2026, postponing the state's May 16 congressional primary elections until July 15, the day after the Supreme Court finalizes the Callais ruling. The order takes effect after overseas and absentee ballots have already been mailed and some absentee votes have been cast. Civil rights organizations and individual voters immediately file lawsuits seeking to restore the May 16 primary, arguing the executive order unconstitutionally voids votes already cast. Landry defends the move, saying "allowing elections to proceed under an unconstitutional map would undermine the integrity of our system." Democrats argue the order is an unprecedented executive cancellation of an ongoing election.