A rare and unusual election is happening Saturday, June 14, in Southeast Louisiana.
Voters in Jefferson, Orleans, and St. Charles parishes are voting for the Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors.
WDSU has received multiple calls and complaints from voters stating that polling places have already run out of ballots as of 10 a.m.
According to voters, they were told there were only 300 paper ballots being handed out at each polling site.
Voters have told WDSU they were asked to sign their names to show they came out to vote, but they won’t be counted as a vote because they aren’t ballots.
They also tell us people are continuing to show up to vote, but are being turned away due to the lack of ballots.
The Soil and Water Conservation District helps local communities care for their land and water.
Each district works with farmers, landowners and residents to promote responsible use and protection of natural resources like soil, water, forests and wildlife.
The Crescent Soil and Water Conservation District issued a statement on social media, writing: “We appreciate the unprecedented amount of people who came out to vote in Crescent SWCD’s board election. A typical SWCD election in Louisiana normally has less than 200 ballots cast. Apologetically, we thought we were prepared for the turnout, with 900 ballots in Orleans and St. Charles and 600 ballots in Jefferson. While we understand the frustration, please be kind to our volunteer election officials and commissioners. Thank you again for voting in this historic election.”
The Orleans Parish Clerk of Court issued a statement on the election:
“This election is not under the supervision of the Louisiana Secretary of State,” Clerk Lombard stated. “As a result, neither my office nor the Orleans Parish Board of Election Supervisors has any involvement or responsibility in its conduct.”
Voters in Jefferson Parish, Orleans Parish and St. Charles are only allowed to vote at certain polling places:
Where to vote:
Jefferson Parish
- Jefferson Feed Store, 4421 Jefferson Highway
- Jefferson Feed Store, 2949 Veterans Blvd.
Orleans Parish
- New Harmony High School, 3368 Esplanade Ave.
- Crown of Life Lutheran Church, 11721 Morrison Road
- Press St. Gallery, 5 Homer Plessy Way
St. Charles Parish
- Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3750, 140 Angus Drive, Luling
- Knights of Columbus, 375 Spruce St., Norco
- Alan Arterbury Building, 14564 River Road, New Sarpy
READ MORE:Louisiana voters frustrated due to lack of ballots in unusual election
