Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry signs executive order about election integrity
BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order about election integrity on Monday, Aug. 26 at the Louisiana State Capitol.
Landry said he was signing an “executive order that states that all Louisiana agencies while they must offer voter registration with every application for service and assistance, they’re going to make sure that they inform people that it is illegal to register to vote if you are not a citizen.”
He said that they will make sure agencies will not provide voter registration forms to people who are in the country illegally.
Landry said, “This order will be in the form of a disclaimer on the declaration form and just because you receive a voter registration form doesn’t mean you’re eligible to vote.”
Secretary of State Nancy Landry said, “It is illegal for noncitizens to register and to vote in our state.” She said data is used from Louisiana OMV and the Social Security Administration to verify individuals who register to vote. She said anyone who cannot be verified through that data is asked to submit more information.
Attorney General Liz Murrill said, “Only Louisiana citizens can register, and only Louisiana citizens can vote and we want to make sure through the executive order and through the actions of the secretary of state that that is communicated clearly when they receive the paperwork that they receive when they apply for other benefits.”
During the press conference, Landry said 48 noncitizens have been removed from the voter rolls since 2022 – but no proof yet if any of them have voted.
“We’re still assessing that and trying to run reports to see if they have. So we’ll know shortly. But I don’t have that information right now,” she said.
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After being asked why the implementation of the executive order is important, as the number of noncitizens is not hundreds or thousands, Secretary of State Landry emphasized that every vote matters.
“So registering to vote is the door to voting. And we have multiple races every election season that are decided by fewer than 48 votes, including my own first election, which was decided by 33 votes. And so every vote is critical and every ineligible voter that is registered to vote opens the door to an ineligible voter voting in that election. And it can make a difference in a race in Louisiana,” she said.
In reaction to the executive order, BRPROUD reached out to the Power Coalition, which President and CEO of the Power Coalition Ashley Kennedy Shelton said:
“They are moving a narrative that is not real, there is no evidence that non-eligible voters are trying to participate in elections in Louisiana. The Governor and Secretary of State had an opportunity to address real issues voters are facing and opted to perpetuate a lie. The integrity package should focus on accessibility, equal access, and confidence that all communities will have their voices heard.”
Ashley Kennedy Shelton, President/CEO of the Power Coalition
The Open Primary/Presidential/Congressional Election in Louisiana is set to take place on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
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