REAPPORTIONMENT/JUDGES: Establishes election sections for the election of judges to the City Court of Lake Charles

HLS 26RS-438 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 518
BY REPRESENTATIVE WILFORD CARTER
REAPPORTIONMENT/JUDGES: Establishes election sections for the election of judges
to the City Court of Lake Charles
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 13:1952(13), relative to the City Court of Lake Charles; to
3 provide for election sections for the election of judges to the court; to provide for the
4 assignment of judgeships for election purposes; to provide for an effective date; and
5 to provide for related matters.
6 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 13:1952(13) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 §1952. Courts created by special legislative Act
9 The following city courts, heretofore created and established by special
10 legislative Act, are hereby recognized and continued in existence and, except as
11 otherwise provided in this Section, their territorial jurisdiction shall extend through
12 the city and ward or wards wherein the city in which they are domiciled is located,
13 as extended from time to time:
14 * * *
15 (13)(a) The City Court of Lake Charles, domiciled in the city of Lake
16 Charles, parish of Calcasieu, having two city judges and a city marshal;.
17 (b) For the purpose of electing judges, the court shall be divided into two
18 election sections.
19 (i) Election section one is composed of Precincts 300, 301, 302, 303, 304,
20 305, 307, 308, 309E, 309W, 310, 311, 312, 313E, 313W, 315E, 316E, 317, 318,
Page 1 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-438 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 518
1 319N, 319S, 320E, 320W, 321, 322, 323, 324, 327, 328, 329, 330, 332N, 360 (Part -
2 that portion within Ward 3), 361, 364, and 371N of Calcasieu Parish.
3 (ii) Election section two is composed of Precincts 306, 314, 315W, 316W,
4 325, 326, 331, 332S, 333, 334, 335, 336, 337, 338, 339, 340, 362, 363, 365, 366,
5 367, 368, 369, 370, 371S, and 372 of Calcasieu Parish.
6 (c) The judgeship designated as Division B shall be elected from election
7 section one, and the judgeship designated as Division A shall be elected from
8 election section two.
9 * * *
10 Section 2.(A) The precincts referenced in this Act are those contained in the file
11 named "2026 Precinct Shapefiles (01-27-2026)" available on the website of the Legislature
12 of Louisiana on the effective date of this Section. The 2026 Precinct Shapefiles are based
13 upon those Voting Districts (VTDs) contained in the 2020 Census Redistricting TIGER/Line
14 Shapefiles for the State of Louisiana as those filed have been modified and validated through
15 the data verification program of the Louisiana House of Representatives and the Louisiana
16 Senate to represent precinct changes submitted through January 27, 2026, to the Legislature
17 of Louisiana by parish governing authorities pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 18:532 and
18 532.1.
19 (B) When a precinct referenced in this Act has been subdivided by action of the
20 parish governing authority on a nongeographic basis or subdivided by action of the parish
21 governing authority on a geographic basis in accordance with the provisions of R.S.
22 18:532.1, the enumeration in this Act of the general precinct designation shall include all
23 nongeographic and all geographic subdivisions thereof, however such subdivisions may be
24 designated.
25 (C) The territorial limits of the districts as provided in this Act shall continue in
26 effect until changed by law regardless of any subsequent change made to the precincts by
27 the parish governing authority.
Page 2 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-438 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 518
1 Section 3. Any election to elect a judge to the City Court of Lake Charles occurring
2 after the effective date of this Act shall be conducted within the appropriate election section
3 established by the provisions of Section 1 of this Act.
4 Section 4. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
5 signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
6 by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
7 vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
8 effective on the day following such approval.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 518 Original 2026 Regular Session Wilford Carter
Abstract: Provides for the composition of two election sections in the City Court of Lake
Charles and provides for the assignment of judgeships to those election sections for
election purposes.
Statistical summaries of proposed law, as well as maps illustrating proposed district
boundaries accompany this digest. (Attached to the bill version on the internet.)
Present law provides that the City Court of Lake Charles is domiciled in the city of Lake
Charles and that the territorial jurisdiction of the court extends through the city and ward or
wards wherein the city is located, as extended from time to time. Provides that the court has
two city judges and one city marshal. Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law creates two election sections in the City Court of Lake Charles. Provides that
one judge shall be elected by the qualified electors of election section one, and one judge
shall be elected by the qualified electors of election section two. Provides that the judgeship
designated as Division A of the City Court of Lake Charles is assigned to election section
two for election purposes. Provides that the judgeship designated as Division B of the City
Court of Lake Charles is assigned to election section one for election purposes. Specifies
that any election to elect a judge to the court occurring after the effective date of proposed
law shall be conducted within the appropriate election section established by proposed law.
Proposed law specifies that precincts referenced in district descriptions are those precincts
contained in the file named "2026 Precinct Shapefiles (01-27-2026)" available on the
legislature's website. The 2026 Precinct Shapefiles are based upon Voting Districts (VTDs)
contained in the 2020 Census Redistricting TIGER/Line Shapefiles for the State of La. as
those files have been modified and validated through data verification program of the La.
House of Representatives and the La. Senate to represent precinct changes submitted through
Jan. 27, 2026, to the Legislature of La. by parish governing authorities.
Proposed law additionally specifies that if any such precinct has been subdivided by action
of the parish governing authority on a nongeographic basis or subdivided by action of the
parish governing authority on a geographic basis in accordance with present law, the
enumeration of the general precinct designation shall include all nongeographic and all
Page 3 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
HLS 26RS-438 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 518
geographic subdivisions thereof. Further provides that the territorial limits of the districts
as enacted shall continue in effect until changed by law regardless of any subsequent change
made to the precincts by the parish governing authority.
Population data in the summaries accompanying this digest are derived from 2020 Census
Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171), Summary File for La. Population data, statistical
information, and maps are supplied for purposes of information and analysis and comprise
no part of proposed law.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 13:1952(13))
Page 4 of 4
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
55,372District 1 1 56,025 -653 -1.166%
56,679District 2 1 56,025 654 1.167%
Plan: HLS 26RS-438 (W.Carter)
Plan Statistics
Districts: Relative DeviationAbsolute Deviation# of Members Actual Population Ideal Population
Precinct 360 is split in two places by the ward line. In the first instance, the easternmost ward line is a straight
vertical line extension from Pujol Rd. (Hwy. 397) to the river. In the second instance, the northernmost boundary
is a straight horizontal line from Goos Ferry Rd. Ext. to the river. The 2020 census blocks do not align with the
ward line. In the first instance, there are 2 census blocks split by the ward line with 37 people in those blocks. In
the second instance there are 4 census blocks split by the ward line with 118 people in those blocks. This
report is the closest approximation of the population of District 1 using the nearsest 2020 census tabulation
boundaries.
Grand Total: 2 112,051 112,050
Ideal Population Per Member:
Number of Districts for Plan Type:
Absolute Mean Deviation:
Range of District Populations:
Absolute Overall Range:
Absolute Range:
Relative Overall Range:
Relative Range:
Relative Mean Deviation:
Ideal - Actual:
Unassigned Population:
Remainder:
56025
2
55,372
654
-653
1,307
1.17%
-1.17%
2.34%
to
to
to
56,679
654
1.17%
-1
1
0
District 1 38,604 800 483 2,23855,372 13,247 2,668 41,772 1,61636960927,86411,314 1,806
69.718% 1.445% 0.872% 4.042%100.000% 23.924% 4.818% 100.000% 66.705%27.085% 1.458% 0.883% 3.869% 4.323%
District 2 9,208 2,576 944 3,06956,679 40,882 3,681 43,798 2,1717401,8546,34032,693 2,537
16.246% 4.545% 1.666% 5.415%100.000% 72.129% 6.494% 100.000% 14.476%74.645% 4.233% 1.690% 4.957% 5.793%
Plan: HLS 26RS-438 (W.Carter)
Total Population
Total
Population VAP Total
Total
Hispanic
Total
Other
Total
American
Indian
Total
Asian
Total
White
Total
Black VAP White VAP Black VAP Asian
VAP
American
Indian VAP Other
VAP
Hispanic
Total
Grand Total
Precinct 360 is split in two places by the ward line. In the first instance, the easternmost ward line is a straight
vertical line extension from Pujol Rd. (Hwy. 397) to the river. In the second instance, the northernmost boundary
is a straight horizontal line from Goos Ferry Rd. Ext. to the river. The 2020 census blocks do not align with the
ward line. In the first instance, there are 2 census blocks split by the ward line with 37 people in those blocks. In
the second instance there are 4 census blocks split by the ward line with 118 people in those blocks. This
report is the closest approximation of the population of District 1 using the nearsest 2020 census tabulation
boundaries.
47,812 3,376 1,427 5,307112,051 54,129 6,349 85,570 3,7871,1092,46334,20444,007 4,343
42.670% 3.013% 1.274% 4.736%100.000% 48.307% 5.666% 100.000% 4.426%1.296%2.878%39.972%51.428% 5.075%
District 1
Calcasieu 38,604 800 483 2,23855,372 13,247 2,668
District 1 38,604 800 483 2,23855,372 13,247 2,668
69.718% 1.445% 0.872% 4.042%100.000% 23.924% 4.818%
District 2
Calcasieu 9,208 2,576 944 3,06956,679 40,882 3,681
District 2 9,208 2,576 944 3,06956,679 40,882 3,681
16.246% 4.545% 1.666% 5.415%100.000% 72.129% 6.494%
Plan Type: Lake Charles City Court (Ward 3
Plan: HLS 26RS-438 (W.Carter)
District SummaryDate: February 7, 2026
Time: 12:09 PM
DB: LA_2026_01
Total
Population
Total
Hispanic
Total
Other
Total
American
Indian
Total
Asian
Total
White
Total
Black
Page: 1 of 1
Grand Total
Precinct 360 is split in two places by the ward line. In the first instance, the easternmost ward line is a straight
vertical line extension from Pujol Rd. (Hwy. 397) to the river. In the second instance, the northernmost boundary
is a straight horizontal line from Goos Ferry Rd. Ext. to the river. The 2020 census blocks do not align with the
ward line. In the first instance, there are 2 census blocks split by the ward line with 37 people in those blocks. In
the second instance there are 4 census blocks split by the ward line with 118 people in those blocks. This
report is the closest approximation of the population of District 1 using the nearsest 2020 census tabulation
boundaries.
47,812 3,376 1,427 5,307112,051 54,129 6,349
42.670% 3.013% 1.274% 4.736%100.000% 48.307% 5.666%
District 1 15,376 1,094 13,357 2,83321,635 5,165 5,447
71.070% 5.057% 61.738% 13.095%51.793% 23.873% 25.177%
District 2 3,130 1,637 6,181 13,46627,439 22,672 7,792
11.407% 5.966% 22.526% 49.076%62.649% 82.627% 28.398%
Plan: HLS 26RS-438 (W.Carter)
Voter Registration
Reg Total
Dec 2025
Reg Other
Total
Dec 2025
Reg Rep
Total
Dec 2025
Reg Dem
Total
Dec 2025
Reg Other
Dec 2025
Reg White
Dec 2025
Reg Black
Dec 2025
Grand Total
Precinct 360 is split in two places by the ward line. In the first instance, the easternmost ward line is a straight
vertical line extension from Pujol Rd. (Hwy. 397) to the river. In the second instance, the northernmost boundary
is a straight horizontal line from Goos Ferry Rd. Ext. to the river. The 2020 census blocks do not align with the
ward line. In the first instance, there are 2 census blocks split by the ward line with 37 people in those blocks. In
the second instance there are 4 census blocks split by the ward line with 118 people in those blocks. This
report is the closest approximation of the population of District 1 using the nearsest 2020 census tabulation
boundaries.
18,506 2,731 19,538 16,29949,074 27,837 13,239
District 1
*Calcasieu 38,604 800 483 2,23855,372 13,247 41,772 11,314 21,6351,61636960927,864 15,3765,165 1,094
District 1 38,604 800 483 2,23855,372 13,247 41,772 11,314 21,6351,61636960927,864 5,165 15,376 1,094
69.718% 1.445% 0.872% 4.042%100.000% 23.924% 100.000% 27.085% 51.793%3.869%0.883%1.458%66.705% 23.873% 71.070% 5.057%
District 2
*Calcasieu 9,208 2,576 944 3,06956,679 40,882 43,798 32,693 27,4392,1717401,8546,340 3,13022,672 1,637
District 2 9,208 2,576 944 3,06956,679 40,882 43,798 32,693 27,4392,1717401,8546,340 22,672 3,130 1,637
16.246% 4.545% 1.666% 5.415%100.000% 72.129% 100.000% 74.645% 62.649%4.957%1.690%4.233%14.476% 82.627% 11.407% 5.966%
Plan: HLS 26RS-438 (W.Carter)
Splits
Total
Population VAP WhiteVAP Total
Total
Other
Total
American
Indian
Total
Asian
Total
White
Total
Black VAP Black VAP Asian
VAP
American
Indian VAP Other
Reg Total
Dec 2025
Reg White
Dec 2025
Reg Black
Dec 2025
Reg Other
Dec 2025
Precinct 360 is split in two places by the ward line. In the first instance, the easternmost ward line is a straight
vertical line extension from Pujol Rd. (Hwy. 397) to the river. In the second instance, the northernmost boundary
is a straight horizontal line from Goos Ferry Rd. Ext. to the river. The 2020 census blocks do not align with the
ward line. In the first instance, there are 2 census blocks split by the ward line with 37 people in those blocks. In
the second instance there are 4 census blocks split by the ward line with 118 people in those blocks. This
report is the closest approximation of the population of District 1 using the nearsest 2020 census tabulation
boundaries.
C a l c a s i e uC a l c a s i e u
C a m e r o nC a m e r o n4
5S
365
468
370
371S
5N
463
461
364
467
405
16B
360
664
260
369
167
16A
464
361
363
313E
368
306
469
164
366
367
302
162W
371N
166E
300
301
404
441
316W
165
440
860S
336
333
340
372
861E324
362
407 312
861W
330
328
338
329
408
310
326
166W
325
307
162E
339
305
460E
318
16B
317
860N
308
401
322
309W
314
304
331
335
403
332S
327
309E
400
163
337
316E 323
321
303
406
!2
!1
Map Layers
Parishes
VTDs
Districts
HLS 26RS-438 (W.Carter) Lake Charles City Court (Ward 3)
2/18/2026 4:41:28 PM
C a l c a s i e uC a l c a s i e u
164
360
361
166E
167
313E
860S
166W
300
301
861W
860N
165
312
305
308 309W
304
163
309E
307
861E
310
303
315E
311
464
315W
313W
!1
!2
Map Layers
Parishes
VTDs
Districts
HLS 26RS-438 (W.Carter) Lake Charles City Court (Ward 3) (Precinct 360)
2/18/2026 4:32:18 PM