Local Elections

Fight over proof of citizenship for people registering to vote could lead to government shutdown

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
21 hrs ago

WASHINGTON — Facing a government shutdown in 15 days, House Speaker Mike Johnson is trying to drum up support among Republicans to pass his plan to continue authorization for government spendi…

Jeff Landry orders new voter registration protocol ahead of 2024 presidential election

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Aug 26, 2024

State agencies required to provide voter registration applications and assistance must now also include a notice saying noncitizens are prohibited from voting in Louisiana.

Mitch Landrieu opens the second night of the Democratic National Convention

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Aug 20, 2024

Former New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu opened Tuesday night’s session of the Democratic National Convention.

Baton Rouge woman addresses Democratic National Convention about abortion rights

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Aug 19, 2024

WASHINGTON – Kaitlyn Joshua, of Baton Rouge, told her story to the Democratic National Convention Monday night of being turned away from two hospitals because abortion was banned in Louisiana.

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Louisiana Democrats head to Chicago to officially nominate Kamala Harris to battle Donald Trump

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Aug 19, 2024

WASHINGTON — Most of Louisiana’s prominent Democrats have headed to Chicago for a convention that will officially set the final stage for a race that has seen President Joe Biden drop out, the…

Kamala Harris has energized Louisiana Democrats but Donald Trump will still win the state

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Aug 17, 2024

WASHINGTON — Democratic State Sen. Regina Barrow was in her north Baton Rouge church on July 21 when her phone erupted with the news that President Joe Biden was ending his reelection bid.

Republican leaders Mike Johnson and Steve Scalise are barnstorming for a GOP House majority

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Aug 9, 2024

WASHINGTON – With their own re-election all but assured thanks to the favorable district lines drawn in January by the Louisiana Legislature, House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Ste…

Louisiana wants Supreme Court to sort out how to add a second Black majority congressional seat

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Aug 5, 2024

WASHINGTON – After years of bickering over whether Louisiana should send two Black candidates to the U.S. House or just one, state government and minority voters now find themselves sharing a …

Appeals court: Minority groups can't join together to claim votes diluted by redistricting

By KEVIN McGILL Associated Press
Aug 2, 2024

A divided federal appeals court has ruled that separate, distinct minority groups cannot join together in coalitions to claim their votes are diluted in redistricting cases under the federal V…

Here's how to sign up to run a voter registration drive. New rules take effect today.

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Aug 1, 2024

A new Louisiana law mandates those conducting voter registration drives or helping non-family members with voter registration to sign up with the secretary of state.?

Mitch Landrieu should be Kamala Harris's running mate, Baltimore Sun columnist says

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Jul 31, 2024

WASHINGTON – Mitch Landrieu should be Kamala Harris’s running mate this fall, largely for his handling of the removal of Confederate statues in New Orleans while he was mayor, says a guest col…

Two candidates for Louisiana Supreme Court will stay in race after judge denies challenge

BY MATT BRUCE | Staff writer
Updated Jul 31, 2024

Late Tuesday, District Judge Donald Johnson ruled that two of the three candidates vying to serve on the Louisiana Supreme Court may remain in the running for the seat after their candidacy wa…

Here's who Louisiana's Democratic Party chief would like to see as the vice-presidential candidate

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Jul 22, 2024

WASHINGTON – Louisiana Democratic Party Chair Randal L. Gaines said Monday he’d like to see former Gov. John Bel Edwards as vice president on the ticket with Kamala Harris — though he acknowle…

How does voting by mail work in Louisiana? Here's what to know about the state's new rules.

By JULIA GUILBEAU | Staff writer
Updated Jul 22, 2024

A slew of laws quietly passed during the most recent Louisiana legislative session will make rules surrounding absentee voting more strict during the upcoming November election and beyond.?

Here's who won elections in New Orleans, Jefferson, Tammany after no challengers qualified

Staff report
Jul 19, 2024

New Orleans-area voters will decide a number of races on the Nov. 5 presidential election ballot, but several candidates won office Friday when the three-day qualifying period closed and they …

In Louisiana congressional, other races, field is set as qualifying ends

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Jul 19, 2024

The qualifying period for elections on the Nov. 5 ballot closed Friday at 4:30 p.m.

Louisiana Republicans leave national convention convinced of GOP sweep in November

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Jul 19, 2024

WASHINGTON — Mary Doerner, a retired Baton Rouge schoolteacher, wanted a front-row seat to witness history: Donald Trump formally becoming the Republican Party’s presidential nominee.

Qualifying for congressional, other races brings few surprises on first day

BY ALYSE PFEIL AND SOPHIA BAILLY | Staff writers
Jul 17, 2024

Louisiana's three-day window to qualify for the Nov. 5 ballot for races for Congress, the state Supreme Court and the Public Service Commission opened Wednesday.

Candidates already qualifying for special elections in Covington, Abita Springs

BY BOB WARREN | Staff writer
Jul 17, 2024

Six candidates have jumped into races for open seats on the Covington City Council and Abita Town Council as the first day of qualifying got underway Wednesday for what will be a small local b…

House Speaker Mike Johnson sees two different visions of America

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Jul 16, 2024

House Speaker Mike Johnson asked for unity but told the Republican National Convention Tuesday night that the United States is in a struggle between two different visions of America.

Republican National Convention opens Monday after Trump assassination attempt

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Jul 14, 2024

WASHINGTON — Despite the apparent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, the GOP convention in Milwaukee is opening Monday as planned amid national calls from the U.S. House’s…

Mike Johnson, Steve Scalise and other Louisianans to take the stage at GOP's national convention

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BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Jul 14, 2024

WASHINGTON – Along with pop icons, business leaders and national politicos, Louisiana is expected to share the spotlight at the Republican National Convention, which begins Monday in Milwaukee.

Some Louisiana conservative Christians unhappy with Republican Party's softened abortion position

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Jul 12, 2024

WASHINGTON – The Louisiana evangelical community isn’t happy with a proposed Republican platform that removes a national ban on abortion in exchange for a call that states handle the issue.

Louisiana and Alabama will share voter registration data in bid for accuracy

BY ALYSE PFEIL | Staff writer
Jul 11, 2024

Louisiana is the sixth state to join the Alabama Voter Integrity Database. The database is an Alabama-led replacement for the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC.

US Supreme Court delays considering a second Black majority congressional district in Louisiana

BY MARK BALLARD | Staff writer
Jun 30, 2024

WASHINGTON — Among the flurry of major U.S. Supreme Court decisions last week was a minor one that impacts whether Louisiana could send one or two Black representatives to Congress.

Biden and Trump face off in first debate. Here's what Louisiana politicians had to say.

BY SOPHIA BAILLY | Staff writer
Jun 27, 2024

The first general election presidential debate of the year kicked off at 8 p.m. Thursday, pitting President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump on stage.

Biden and Trump face off in first presidential debate tonight. Here's what to know.

BY SOPHIA BAILLY | Staff writer
Jun 27, 2024

President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump will face off tonight in the first general election debate of the 2024 election season, at?8 p.m. CDT.

Boysie Bollinger hosted Trump in New Orleans. Here's what to know about the GOP megadonor.

BY SOPHIA BAILLY | Staff writer
Jun 25, 2024

The private Audubon Place in New Orleans was the site of much activity Monday night as Donald “Boysie” Bollinger hosted a $3,300-a-person fundraiser for former President Donald Trump.?