BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Republican lawmakers blocked an emergency voting plan that called for expanding mail-in voting and early voting and other changes to address election fears during the Coronavirus outbreak.
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin told members of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee his plan is appropriate for the unprecedented circumstances we now face with COVID-19.
“This is not how I want to hold an election,” Ardoin testified. “I’m just trying to figure out a way to balance concerns of citizens and the phone calls that we get from average citizens that are worried about them contracting this horrible virus that could lead to death."
The proposal would expand the list of voters who can request a mail-in ballot for the July and August elections.
The list would include people who are 60 years or older; have underlying medical conditions; experiencing COVID symptoms and people ordered to stay at home or self-quarantine.
The emergency plan would also expand early voting from 7 to 13 days.
“This decision was done without the political ramifications in mind,” Ardoin said. “The only thing on my mind has been the safety of Louisiana and integrity of our elections.”
But, the committee blocked the plan along party lines.
Five Republicans voted to defer action on the measure, a lone Democrat voted against the deferral.
“I’m really worried about the risk inherent for your office, for our voting, for the sanctity of our elections,” Sen. Bradley Milligan, R-Shreveport said.
“Aren’t you concerned about the integrity of the (election) system when we open it up that quickly,” Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell said.
Rep. Mandie Landry, D-New Orleans, testified in favor of the emergency plan.
She’s sponsoring a separate bill that would expand vote by mail to any voter who requests it.
“People have the constitutional right to vote, but they also have the right to be safe when they vote,” Landry said. “If we have a solution which is voting by mail, I think we have a duty to implement it and not be force people to go out.”
Ardoin, a Republican, is now expected to come back to the committee with an amended plan.
A House committee also debated the temporary election plan.
Members agreed to an emergency certification needed for Ardoin to move forward with the plan.
But, they deferred action on the plan itself.
► Get breaking news from your neighborhood delivered directly to you by downloading the new FREE WWL-TV News app now in the IOS App Store or Google Play.
