Legislators say they have received texts and emails from House Speaker Phillip DeVillier telling them to keep their schedules flexible between Oct. 23 and Nov. 13. While the communications did not specify the reasoning, multiple lawmakers have told The Associated Press that it is assumed to be for a possible special legislative session for congressional redistricting.
DeVillier could not immediately be reached for comment.

Rep. Edmond Jordan, a Democrat and chairman of the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus, stressed that it was never specified to lawmakers that a special redistricting session was being considered – but if that is the reality, he believes the legislative gathering would be “premature”
“I think we need to wait until the Supreme Court decides until we take any moves,” Jordan told the AP.

Oral arguments over Louisiana’s contested map are scheduled to take place before the U.S. Supreme Court on Oct. 15. It’s possible that the court won’t rule on the congressional boundaries until months later, and it is unclear what type of actions lawmakers may have to take as a result.

In Louisiana, a special session can either be called by the governor or the Legislature, in which case a majority vote is needed from both chambers.
A spokesperson for Gov. Jeff Landry did not respond to a request for comment.