Organizers say a contested election is unprecedented, leading to a lack of ballots.

Hundreds of New Orleans residents showed up to vote Saturday in the Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District election only to find all the available ballots had already been cast.

The race, between the incumbent, urban farmer Erica “Sage” Johnson of Orleans Parish, and Lloyd Landry IV, a commercial fishing captain from St. Charles Parish, will decide who represents the district covering Orleans, Jefferson and St. Charles parishes.

The district’s five-member board works with landowners to manage resources, including water, soil, forests and wildlife. There are 44 districts across the state and they fall under the jurisdiction of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries.

Interesting… 🤔

  • mindbleachEnglish
    121·
    3 days ago

    The district said ahead of the election that only 300 ballots would be available at each of the eight polling places throughout the three parishes and urged voters to come early.

    Oh, so they knew it would be a problem, and did it wrong on purpose.

    Jail.

    • Tinidril@midwest.socialEnglish
      6·
      3 days ago

      So, if they showed up early, then a different group of voters would be disenfranchised. But I guess it would be their fault because they should have shown up even earlier. But if they showed up even earlier…

      • Miles O'Brien@startrek.websiteEnglish
        3·
        3 days ago

        I’m sure if the vote doesn’t go the way they wanted, it’ll be called a “clerical error” and they’ll call for a do-over

        If it DOES go the way they want, well shrug sorry, nothing to be done, it was just a simple clerical error, no need to get upset.

        • Basic Glitch@lemm.eeOPMEnglish
          3·
          3 days ago

          I feel like asking there be enough ballots available in preparation for the possibility every registered voter might want to vote (or at least have some kind of alternative back up planned) isn’t asking too much

          Actually, just found out the candidate I would have voted for won, but even so, I don’t really trust that they’re not just hoping to keep the heat off of them bc this has gotten attention. I feel like it sends a message that inhibiting democracy is tolerated, and probably should still have a re-do.

          • Miles O'Brien@startrek.websiteEnglish
            2·
            3 days ago

            One would think. I would happily lend my printer and paper to make a bunch more ballots.

            This is criminal election tampering plain and simple.