Louisiana: New Orleans elections set for 22 April
The Baton Rouge Advocate reports: Under pressure from a federal judge, Gov. Kathleen Blanco set an April 22 date for New Orleans elections, postponed after Hurricane Katrina scattered thousands of city residents and destroyed hundreds of voting precincts.
Though Blanco solidified the election date Tuesday with her executive order, the state doesn’t have all the approvals it needs to proceed with April elections in New Orleans for mayor, city council, sheriff and tax assessors.
The Legislature and the U.S. Justice Department need to approve Secretary of State Al Ater’s emergency election plan for the city, which includes beefed-up absentee balloting and the creation of “mega-polling” sites to replace those damaged by the hurricane.
Meanwhile, state Attorney General Charles Foti is trying to find out whether it’s OK to release information to elected officials and prospective candidates on where hurricane-displaced residents are residing. -- April 22 firm date set for N.O. election