To the People of Louisiana and Members of the Legislature:
Public service comes with a promise – to uphold the Constitution, to follow the law, and to serve the will of the people. That oath is not symbolic. It is the foundation of public trust.
Right now, that trust is being tested.
Recent actions by the Louisiana Legislature, including the rejection of the Louisiana Voting Rights Act (SB 365) and a series of proposals targeting the structure of courts in New Orleans (SB 197, SB 217, SB 256 and HB 911), raise serious concerns about whether that promise is being kept. These are not abstract policy debates. They are decisions presenting fundamental questions about whether those entrusted with governing are honoring the very commitments that give their authority legitimacy.
One example makes this plain. When lawmakers take steps that effectively nullify the outcome of an election – as they are doing with the New Orleans Clerk of Criminal Court – they are not merely exercising legislative discretion. They are placing themselves in direct tension with the expressed will of voters.
That should concern every Louisianan, regardless of party, parish, or perspective.
We have seen versions of this before in our state’s history. There have been times when rules were changed, systems were reworked, and decisions were justified in ways that ultimately limited who had a voice and who was eligible to serve. The details may look different today, but the underlying principle is the same: when the rules shift in ways that weaken representation and concentrate power, that must be called what it is, suppression!
Let’s be clear about what is at stake.
Efficiency is important. Fiscal responsibility matters. Reform is sometimes necessary. But none of those goals should come at the expense of our democratic principles. Elections are not suggestions. They are decisions. And they should be upheld.
At the same time, this is not a call to disengage or retreat. Louisiana’s challenges are real, and they require serious leadership and collaboration. We believe in working with lawmakers, across differences, to move this state forward. But that work must be grounded in respect for voters and the democratic process.
And that’s where the responsibility now extends to all of us.
We call on Louisianans across this state to take immediate and sustained action:
•Contact your legislators: call, write, and demand accountability for actions that undermine the will of voters.
•Engage in the legislative process: attend committee hearings, submit written testimony, and show up at the Capitol to ensure your voice is part of the public record.
•Stay informed and mobilized: track the progress of these bills and organize within your communities to respond in real time.
Democracy only works when people participate in it.
As for us, this work is already underway. The Urban League entered this legislative session with a clear strategy and a defined set of priorities shaped by years of advocacy and on-the-ground experience. In the coming weeks, we will continue advancing our legislative agenda, elevating the policies we believe will move Louisiana forward, while closely tracking activity at the State Capitol and ensuring our communities remain informed, equipped, and ready to respond at every stage of the process.
But this work cannot be done alone.
We invite all Louisianans to join us in defending the principle that elections must mean something, and that we can build a Louisiana that fully lives up to its promise.
Because at the end of the day, this is a simple question: Will we accept a democracy that can be reshaped after the votes are cast?
Or will we demand one that honors the voice of the people, every time?
We should. And together, we must make sure they always do.
In Service,
Charles Phipps
Vice President for Policy, Advocacy & Legal Affairs
Urban League of Louisiana