Supreme Court’s New Term Brings High‑Stakes Political Cases

Supreme Court’s New Term Brings High‑Stakes Political Cases

As the Supreme Court returns for a new term, its docket includes several cases likely to reshape the balance of power between the branches of government, redefine campaign rules, and influence electoral systems. The coming months promise to be consequential—not just for federal policy, but also for states like Louisiana as they prepare for 2026.

Presidential Power Under Review

One of the first significant cases the Court will hear involves President Trump’s authority to impose global tariffs under his national emergency powers. Lower courts have ruled parts of those actions as exceeding executive authority, but the high court has agreed to hear appeals. The ruling could redefine the scope of what a president can do unilaterally in economic and trade policy.

Another case centers on the president’s power to dismiss officials in independent agencies. A decades‑old limitation bars the president from removing certain officials except for cause—such as neglect of duty or misconduct. However, the Court appears poised to reconsider those boundaries, with possible exceptions for agencies viewed as constitutionally significant, such as the Federal Reserve.

A related matter: Trump’s attempt to remove a sitting Federal Reserve governor, Lisa Cook, is in the Court’s crosshairs. While some justices have indicated certain protections may exist for central banking officials, the broader question of presidential removals is under renewed scrutiny.

Elections, Campaign Finance & Redistricting on the Line

The Court will also revisit cases with direct implications for elections and political competition:

• Louisiana’s redistricting battle returns before the justices in Louisiana v. Callais. This case challenges the state’s 2024 map, which added a second Black‑majority district as a remedial measure under the Voting Rights Act. Opponents argue the map is an unconstitutional racial gerrymander; the state defends it as necessary to remedy voting dilution. The outcome may redefine how Section 2 of the VRA is applied across states.

• Campaign finance limits are under review in NRSC v. FEC, where party spending coordination rules are being challenged. The case raises Free Speech claims against restrictions that prevent parties from coordinating directly with candidate campaigns on certain expenditures.

• In cases about mail-in ballots and ballot deadlines, the Court will decide whether federal candidates can challenge state laws dictating when ballots must arrive or be postmarked—a question with far‑reaching implications for how states structure voting rules.

Finally, the Court continues to act on emergency appeals—requests to allow government actions to proceed while legal battles play out below. These short‑term orders are becoming more frequent, particularly in disputes involving the Trump administration, compressing timeframes and forcing the Court to wade into complex issues midstream.

What This Means for Louisiana

Though many of these cases are national in scope, Louisiana stands to feel the consequences:

• A decision in Callais could require further redrawing of congressional districts or shift how minority representation is protected in future maps.

• Changes to campaign coordination rules may affect how parties and candidates build their campaign infrastructure—especially in closely contested races like Louisiana’s 2026 Senate contest.

• If the Court narrows presidential authority or redefines removals from independent agencies, states might find new legal arguments for pushing back on federal mandates.

• Election law challenges, especially around mail‑in ballots and candidate standing, could influence how Louisiana handles voting deadlines, absentee rules, or candidate claims of administrative missteps.

As these major decisions unfold, The Pelican Brief will continue to follow how the Supreme Court’s new term shapes not just national policy, but the political and legal terrain here in Louisiana.

Louisiana Eliminates Independent Party: What Voters Need to Know

By Ryan Duffy

As of August 1, 2025, the Independent Party of Louisiana is no longer recognized by the state. More than 150,000 voters who were previously registered as “Independent” have now been automatically reclassified as “No Party” by the Secretary of State’s office.

If you were one of those voters, you should have received a notice by mail along with an updated voter registration card. If you have not received this notification, you are encouraged to check your registration status through the GeauxVote Online Registration System or the GeauxVote app. We have heard that some voters may not have received their mailings yet, so it’s important to verify your current status ahead of upcoming elections.

This change is part of Louisiana’s broader transition to a Closed Party Primary system, beginning in 2026. Previously, the state used an open primary system, where all candidates, regardless of party affiliation, appeared on one ballot and voters could vote for any of them. That system allowed for scenarios where two candidates from the same party could advance to a runoff.

Now, Louisiana will use a closed primary system. Under this new format, voters can only participate in the primary of the party they are registered with. Democrats can vote only in the Democratic primary, Republicans only in the Republican primary, and voters registered as “No Party” can choose to vote in either the Democratic or Republican primary—but they must stay with that party if a runoff occurs. Choosing a party’s ballot in the primary does not change your official voter registration; you remain a No Party voter unless you formally update your registration.

The elimination of the Independent Party and the shift to “No Party” status were made official through Act 84, passed during the 2025 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature. The law not only dissolves the Independent Party as a recognized political entity but also prohibits any future political party in the state from using the name “Independent” or “Independent Party.” Act 84 is designed to align with Act 1, passed during the 2024 First Extraordinary Session, which established the framework for closed party primaries in key elections.

This change applies to several major races, including elections for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). These contests will now follow the closed primary rules beginning in the spring of 2026.

The motivation behind the change is largely rooted in voter confusion. Since 2015, the Independent Party has been a recognized political party in Louisiana, but many voters who selected “Independent” believed they were choosing no party affiliation. As a result, a significant number of voters would have been ineligible to participate in upcoming primaries under the new system if their registration hadn’t been corrected.

Secretary of State Nancy Landry explained the reasoning in a statement, noting that this reclassification was a proactive step to reduce confusion and ensure that more voters could participate in the new primary structure. Even the Independent Party’s own Executive Director, William Bryan, supported the legislation, calling it an “act of fairness” during public hearings.

Ultimately, these changes represent a significant shift in how Louisiana conducts its elections. Voters are encouraged to check their registration, understand how the new system works, and be mindful of how their party affiliation—or lack thereof—will affect their ability to vote in primaries. With the closed primary system, your choice in the first round matters more than ever, because once you select a party’s ballot, you are committed to that party for any runoff election that follows.

If you’re a No Party voter, you still have a choice—but now you’ll need to make it carefully.

New Orleans at a Crossroads

By Evan M. Alvarez

As autumn deepens in New Orleans, the often turbulent currents of local politics are rising to the surface. The 2025 municipal elections mark a turning point for the Crescent City: a new mayor will take office, and the City Council could look quite different. In a city grappling with budget shortfalls, infrastructure challenges, public safety, and struggles to retain residents, these races carry more weight than ever before.

Here’s a look at what’s at stake, who’s running, and why voters should pay attention.

Setting the Stage: The System & the Stakes

The Electoral Framework

• The 2025 New Orleans mayoral election is scheduled for October 11, 2025, with a possible runoff on November 15 if no candidate secures a majority in the primary. 

• New Orleans uses the Louisiana open primary system (sometimes called a “jungle primary”), meaning all candidates—regardless of party—appear on the same ballot. 

• In addition to the mayor’s race, every seat on the New Orleans City Council is on the ballot. In the council races, voters will cast ballots for:

  1. A district council seat (A, B, C, D, or E),

  2. Two at-large seats (Division 1 and Division 2) that cover the entire city. 

• The city’s Home Rule Charter vests legislative power in the Council. The mayor proposes a budget, but the Council must enact it. 

• Councilmembers serve four-year terms; term limits prevent serving more than two consecutive terms under certain conditions. 

Thus, New Orleanians are not just choosing a mayor—they’re reshaping the balance of power for city government.

The Mayoral Race: Who’s Running & What’s Driving the Debate

A Wide and Competitive Field

With Mayor LaToya Cantrell term-limited out, the field is wide open. Some of the most high-profile contenders include:

• Helena Moreno: City Council President (At-Large), she has emerged as a polling frontrunner relying on her extensive fundraising base and name recognition from several years in the public eye. 

• Royce Duplessis: State Senator who reversed an earlier decision not to run, offering a fresh legislative perspective. 

• Oliver Thomas: Councilmember from District E, bringing experience in both the council and previous judicial roles. 

No single candidate has yet locked in a majority, so a runoff is looking increasingly likely. 

Polls, Power, & Momentum

Recent polling suggests Helena Moreno leads, often hovering in the 40–50 % range in various surveys. But she has not consistently cleared the 50 % threshold needed to avoid a runoff. 

One particularly watched survey from the University of New Orleans Survey Research Center (Sept. 20–24) reflects a tightening race as Election Day approaches. The University of New Orleans

Campaign financing also offers insight: Moreno has built a formidable war chest, outpacing many rivals. But in New Orleans politics, money is rarely destiny—local relationships, ground game, endorsements, and turnout will matter heavily.

Key Issues on the Table

While each campaign brings its own flavor to the election gumbo, several themes recur:

• Public Safety & Crime: Given rising concerns, how the next mayor will work with the New Orleans Police Department and ensure effective policing will be central. A recent poll asked whether the next mayor should keep Anne Kirkpatrick as NOPD superintendent—56% of respondents said yes. 

• Fiscal Health: The city is projected to face a $100 million deficit in 2025. In response, the Cantrell administration has floated raising sales taxes, parking fees, and sanitation charges. The next administration will inherit difficult budget choices.

• Accountability & Governance: Cantrell’s administration has seen contention with the City Council and has recently become the first sitting New Orleans mayor indicted on federal charges. This adds a layer of distrust and demand for transparency for the incoming leader.

• Intergovernmental Relations: In a state where the Governor and Legislature may not always align with city priorities, the next mayor must be adept at negotiating across different layers of government. 

Campaign debates and forums have already tested these candidates. In one WDSU “Hot Seat” debate, Helena Moreno, Oliver Thomas, and Royce Duplessis squared off under sharp questioning. 

City Council Races: New Faces, Open Seats, and Crucial Balance

While the mayoral contest draws headlines, the City Council races may have more lasting structural impact.

Open Seats & Changing Districts

• District A: With incumbent Joe Giarrusso term-limited, this seat is wide open. Five candidates—ranging from former staffers like Aimee McCarron to outsiders like Bridget Neal—are competing. 

• District E: Challengers are mounting; Cyndi Nguyen (former councilmember) and Jason Hughes (state rep.) are viewed as top contenders. 

• Districts C and D: Incumbents in C and D are facing challengers who aim to leverage dissatisfaction with city services. 

• District B: Unusually, Lesli Harris, the current councilmember for District B, is facing no opponent. She is the only council candidate running unopposed this cycle. 

At-Large Seats & Citywide Influence

Because two at-large seats represent the entire city, the candidates for these seats often frame themselves as guardians of citywide equity. 

The Council’s composition matters for checks on the mayor, passing budgets, directing city priorities, and approving or rejecting contracts or ordinances on utilities, land use, and public works.

What Voters Should Watch & How to Engage

Deadlines & Voter Logistics

• Early voting for the October 11 election is scheduled September 27–October 4 (excluding Sunday, September 28). 

• Registration deadlines: By mail and in person by Wednesday, September 10, 2025. 

• Runoffs will be held November 15 if no candidate earns a majority in October. 

Signals to Watch

• Council–Mayor relations: Given recent friction (e.g. over school funding, budget disputes, and oversight), how well the next mayor navigates relationships with the new Council will be critical. 

• Turnout: Races in New Orleans often hinge on which neighborhoods and/or wards are motivated to get out and vote.

2025 Potential Special Session on Redistricting

State legislators are on standby for a potential special session from October 23 to November 13, aimed at revisiting Louisiana’s congressional district map. To initiate the session on time, the Governor would need to issue the official call by October 13, as state law requires a minimum 10-day notice. While no formal announcement has been made yet, the window is narrowing—and all signs point to redistricting returning to the forefront this fall.