Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced Wednesday that the fall 2021 elections have been rescheduled in light of the devastation brought on by Hurricane Ida. Thursday, Gov. Edwards signed an executive order formally delaying the elections.
Ardoin met with Governor John Bel Edwards Tuesday to request the change, and Ardoin said the governor agreed with the recommendation.
The October 9 election will be held on November 13, and the November 13 election is set for December 11. Early voting is also rescheduled for both election dates - the first early voting period will be held October 30 - November 6 (except for Sunday, October 31) and the second early voting period will be held November 27 - December 4 (except for Sunday, November 28).
Ardoin said he's thankful that Edwards "recognized the importance of our recommendation," adding the change will "allow our staff and local partners more time to properly prepare for a statewide election while ensuring the integrity of our election processes and that our voters’ traditional voting habits are as undisturbed as possible."
Gov. Edwards on Thursday said, "Secretary Ardoin briefed me this past Tuesday on the upcoming fall elections. Based on his reporting and certification to me yesterday that holding the elections as currently scheduled would impair the integrity of those elections, based on numerous issues related to displaced voters and election day personnel as well as extensive power outages and damage to early-voting and election day polling places, I signed an executive order today to reschedule the upcoming fall elections,” Gov. Edwards said."
More information, including an emergency certification and election-related deadlines, will be released soon.
Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) President and CEO Stephen Waguespack released the following statement after the announcement:
Shifting the fall elections back one month to accommodate voters, election officials, and candidates dealing with storm recovery is the responsible decision.
Over half of Louisiana's population falls within the federal disaster declaration. We look forward to continuing to work with a strong coalition of bipartisan stakeholders to advance the passing of Constitutional Amendments 1 and 2. These common sense tax reforms, which will lead to more jobs and lower taxes, will be one more tool for us in recovery.
We've compiled a list of the Acadiana-area offices and propositions that will be on the ballot on November 13 (previously October 9).
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