Ballot Shortages Disrupt Crescent Soil and Water Election

News Summary

Voter frustration escalated during the Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District Board election on June 14, as polling sites in Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Charles parishes ran out of ballots early in the day. The district’s miscalculation on ballot supply led to widespread disruptions and dissatisfaction among voters. This election, noteworthy for its anticipated high turnout, saw chaos and embarrassment for the district, which only provided 900 ballots for two parishes combined. The situation raises concerns regarding the accountability of the election process and future electoral preparedness.

Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District, Southeast Louisiana — Voter frustration has surged during the unique election for the Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, held on June 14. Polling places across Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Charles parishes reported running out of ballots before 10 a.m. on election day, causing significant disruptions and outrage among voters.

Despite the anticipation of a larger-than-usual turnout for this rare election—typically fewer than ten such elections have occurred in Louisiana history—the district’s failure to provide sufficient ballots led to widespread chaos at polling sites. Each site was allocated only 300 paper ballots, which proved inadequate given the high voter engagement.

At polling locations in New Orleans, all available ballots were depleted early in the day. Voters reported that they were instructed to sign in to confirm their attendance, yet those signatures did not count towards their votes as they had not received official ballots. Meanwhile, some locations in NORCO still had ballots available, but the overall situation led to numerous voters being turned away.

In response to the overwhelming turnout, the Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District issued a statement acknowledging their miscalculation regarding the required number of ballots and expressed regret over the inconvenience caused. The district had prepared for an unprecedented turnout but only supplied a total of 900 ballots in Orleans and St. Charles parishes, and 600 in Jefferson Parish. These numbers starkly contrast with typical Soil and Water Conservation Board elections in Louisiana, where fewer than 200 ballots are usually cast.

This election is particularly important as the Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District plays a vital role in assisting local communities with the management and conservation of land and water resources. The board oversees the funding allocation for conservation programs and cooperates with farmers and landowners to protect crucial natural resources in the region.

The candidates vying for positions on the board include incumbent Erica Sage Johnson, an urban farmer, and challenger Lloyd Landry IV, a charter fishing captain focusing on coastal restoration. Johnson aims to enhance public awareness and transparency in the role if re-elected, while Landry emphasizes the importance of shoreline protection and community linkage to local resources. Both candidates acknowledge facing challenges related to natural resource protection, albeit with differing views on the main threats impacting the district.

Notably, the election is not overseen by the Louisiana Secretary of State, which raises questions about the appropriate accountability for the election’s administration. The Orleans Parish Clerk of Court clarified that the operation of this election falls outside their jurisdiction, further complicating the matter for distressed voters seeking redress for the ballot shortages.

Voters participating in the election must be aware that they are required to cast their ballots at designated sites specific to their parish: Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Charles. Additionally, as the election exclusively used paper ballots, voters were mandated to present a valid state-issued photo ID when voting.

The disruption caused by the ballot shortages has left many voters feeling frustrated and disenfranchised, altering what is meant to be a significant community engagement opportunity. The lack of preparedness by the Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District in estimating voter turnout, coupled with the administrative challenges surrounding the election, highlights potential areas for improvement in future electoral processes in the region.

Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic

HERE Resources

Ballot Shortage Causes Frustration in Crescent District Election
Historic Election for Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District

Additional Resources

• WDSU: Louisiana Voters Frustrated by Lack of Ballots
• Wikipedia: Elections in Louisiana
• WWLTV: Rare Election Set for Saturday
• Google Search: Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District
• FOX 8: Election Results in Louisiana
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Louisiana
• Audacy: Election Results for Southeastern Louisiana Parishes
• Google News: Ballot Shortages Louisiana