This article in Town Talk repeats the common error that only the Department of Justice can approve redistricting plans under Section 5. 

“Lawmakers will be in hurry-up mode. Whatever they propose will have to survive the scrutiny of the U.S. Department of Justice, as required by the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and be done in time to accommodate the primary and general elections later this year.”

If lawmakers want to increase the chances that the Louisiana will be approved, they should submit the plan directly to United States District Court for the reasons outlined in this article.