Only a couple of hours after the Louisiana Legislature voted to override Gov. John Bel Edwards’ veto of a congressional map that didn’t expand minority representation, a lawsuit has been filed that claims the map violates federal law....

For Immediate Release: March 18, 2022  New Orleans, LA– On Monday, March 21, 2022 at 11:30 a.m. (CST), Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ) will host a Press Conference Webinar releasing the 2021 Annual Report: Power Building Activate. The conference will open with comments from PCEJ founder and CEO, Ashley Shelton. PCEJ partners will discuss highlights from the year-in-review. The panel will include Jared Evans (NAACP LDF), Norris Henderson (VOTE), Susana Raquel Berger (Made to Save), and Roishetta Ozane (The Vessel Project).  In 2021, PCEJ made over 3.6 million contacts to people around the state through phone calls, text messages, door-to-door canvassing, and social media content. This outreach supported a full slate of community outreach programs.  PCEJ, along with executive partners, engaged in the three legislative sessions advocating for democracy, expanding legislation and policies centered in equity and supporting communities of color. PCEJ educated the community on multiple democracy...

For Immediate Release: March 15, 2022  Today, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), ACLU of Louisiana, and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP filed a federal lawsuit challenging Louisiana’s congressional map. Filed on behalf of the Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, and individuals Dorothy Nairne, E. René Soulé, Alice Washington, and Clee Ernest Lowe, the lawsuit alleges that Governor John Bel Edwards’ veto of the congressional redistricting plan passed by the Louisiana State Legislature leaves in place a decade old map that, because of shifts in the state’s population, now violates the United State Constitution. The governor vetoed the plan passed by the legislature because it violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) and dilutes the votes of Black Louisianans. During the redistricting session, the groups submitted several maps for...

The lawful and efficient exercise of Democracy in the United States depends on voters being able to freely choose their leaders. In spite of that ideal, every ten years we subvert that process and instead allow leaders to choose their voters. We call this process Redistricting. Parts of this process are necessary and proper. It is necessary every ten years to take Census data and re-balance voting populations so that districts have roughly equal populations. ...

On this day, 57 years ago, March 7, 1965, activists endured attacks and abuse crossing the Edmund Pettus bridge to demonstrate for equal voting rights. Their sacrifice and valiant efforts led to passage of the 1965 Voting Rights Act, which guaranteed the right to vote for all Americans, regardless of their color of their skin....

Dear Governor Edwards, On behalf of the below signatories, we write to thank you for doing what is right and fair by vetoing the racially discriminatory and illegal Congressional map passed by the state legislature. By failing to pass maps that increase representation for Black Louisianians and other communities of color, the Legislature ignored the law, the Census numbers, and the will of thousands of community members who made their voices heard during the redistricting process. Your veto was necessary to ensure the Congressional districts in place for the next decade reflect Louisiana’s vibrant and diverse communities and uphold the principles of a fair, inclusive, and representative democracy. The math is clear. According to the most recent Census, over the past 10 years, Louisiana’s Black population increased while the white population decreased. Though Louisiana’s voting population is 1/3 Black, the Congressional map passed by the Legislature only provided an opportunity...

For Immediate Release: March 11, 2022  Baton Rouge, LA– Wednesday evening, Governor John Bel Edwards announced the decision to veto the congressional redistricting map drawn by the Louisiana Legislature. Gov. Edwards stated the map did not add a second majority-minority district and did not meet federal law compliance requirements.  “I thank Governor Edwards for listening and taking a stand with the thousands of Louisianians that came out and participated in the entire redistricting process,” says Ashley Shelton, CEO of Power Coalition for Equity and Justice. “Countless voters engaged around redistricting, sharing extensive testimony on the importance of fair and equitable representation and the need for an additional majority-minority district given that 33 percent of the state’s population is Black. You [the people] helped us see this moment, and while it is a moment to celebrate we also know the fight is not over yet.” Power Coalition for Equity and Justice...

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Chris Kinney, a resident of Rapides Parish in central Louisiana, has seen his electricity disconnected eight times in the past two years for falling behind on his energy bills to Cleco Power. His family did everything they could think of to catch up: pawning possessions, accumulating vast bank overdraft fees, borrowing money and applying for energy assistance. Somehow, Kinney’s outstanding balance kept growing....

Sade Dumas, executive director of the Orleans Parish Prison Reform Coalition(OPPRC) in Louisiana, has worked tirelessly to decrease the population of the Orleans Parish Prison and improve conditions there for those held behind bars. A Vera partner, she advocates for evidence-based methods to reduce incarceration and promotes alternatives to arrest. Under her leadership, OPPRC has helped stop a planned expansion of Orleans Parish Prison and is fighting to establish a non-police crisis unit that is trained to respond to mental health emergencies. Dumas also helped recruit and support the candidacy of Orleans Parish Sherriff Susan Hutson, who last year became the first progressive and first Black woman ever elected sheriff in Louisiana....

By Ashley Shelton Originally published in Truthout.org The Louisiana Senate recently continued the state’s long history of racial oppression by voting down Sen. Cleo Fields’s congressional redistricting map. What’s more, the Louisiana House voted down Rep. Randal Gaines’s congressional redistricting map. Gaines is a veteran and civil rights attorney who represents one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Ida (river parishes), and Fields is an attorney and former congressman. Gaines’s and Fields’s proposals included two majority-minority districts (electoral districts where the majority of the constituents are people of color) giving them an opportunity to elect candidates of their choice — something Black voters in the state advocated for. Since the Black population has grown in Louisiana, an additional seat representing this shift is warranted, just and fair. But in Louisiana, as in other parts of the country, map drawers are refusing to create new electoral opportunities for communities of color....

Redistricting is how state and local governments redraw their political lines. Every 10 years following the Census, political maps are redrawn to account for population shifts. A Redistricting is supposed to ensure equal representation. However, the process is filled with controversy as tactics such as gerrymandering are utilized to influence future elections or maintain political power....

If you’ve ever wanted proof of the old French adage, “The more things change, the more they stay the same,” you need look no further than the Louisiana Legislature’s ham-fisted way of redrawing district maps after a decennial census....

Throughout the last six months, thousands of community members and fair redistricting advocacy groups have come together to shed light on the importance of a fair and equitable redistricting process. As the final Redistricting Roadshow concludes on January 20th, a misleading narrative has emerged: the Louisiana redistricting process should remain the same since its inception and not look at race. ...

Janea Jamison of the Power Coalition for Equity & Justice talked to WAFB about the Power Coalition....

“People don’t understand how gerrymandered our maps have been over the years. We basically crack and pack people of color and have for years,” Shelton said....

“We know that 25% of the citizens in Shreveport are living in poverty, and we know that a program like this would help more of our residents maintain a better quality of life,” Candice Battiste, the city’s pilot manager, said. “It’s not just about survival, but about living.”...

This summer, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, a coalition of community-based organizations that promotes civic engagement across Louisiana, started holding monthly “Sleeves Up” vaccination events. These gatherings, typically held at a church, community center, or apartment complex, offer games, food, and other incentives to encourage people to get vaccinated....

For Immediate Release: December 14, 2021  Lake Charles, LA– On Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at the Tritico Theater at McNeese State University, legislators will continue the Redistricting Roadshow at 5:30 P.M. CST. This is the final stop on the roadshow in 2021. This is an opportunity for legislators to hear comments and testimony from the public about the redistricting process.   Political Redistricting happens every 10 years after the census and is an opportunity to draw new political district boundaries based on population changes. The goal of redistricting is to create equitable and competitive political districts. Historically, Louisiana communities of color have had little say in the way their communities are mapped or represented. Despite the state being over ⅓ people of color, only 1 of 6 Congressional districts are represented by a person of color.  Community members can attend the Redistricting Roadshow to learn more about the redistricting process, testify...

Power Coalition Makes Redistricting Grants to Encourage Equitable Redistricting Process For Immediate Release: December 6, 2021  New Orleans, LA– Power Coalition for Equity and Justice is providing mini-grants to support small nonprofit organizations, churches, social clubs, and neighborhood groups across the state organizing their communities around the redistricting process. The grants support hosting community listening sessions, town halls, text and phone banks, and mobilizing communities for a fair and just redistricting process. “Redistricting has been a north star for our equity work,” says Power Coalition Founder and CEO Ashley Shelton. “When people live in fair and equitable political districts they are more likely to be able to elect candidates of choice and make sure that their voices are heard and their needs are reflected.” Despite having a population that is over 31% Black and increasing populations of color across the state, the majority of Louisiana’s elected officials are white. Louisiana...

COVINGTON — State lawmakers on Tuesday heard from many north shore residents who were eager to have new political maps drawn and said they no longer want to be represented by a congressional district that is concentrated in the New Orleans suburbs south of Lake Pontchartrain. ...

After years of doing taxes the same way, Louisiana voters beginning Saturday are being asked to decide if the state should head in a different direction. Forty-three parishes, like Orleans, are choosing local leadership or deciding propositions, like East Baton Rouge, which is seeking to renew a property tax that funds the local city buses....

For Immediate Release: November 12, 2021  Voters across the state can cast their ballot for Constitutional Amendments and local races on Saturday, November 13 from 7:00am-8:00pm.  Baton Rouge, LA– Every voter in the state has the opportunity to cast their vote during the election on Saturday, November 13. The ballot has 4 statewide Constitutional Amendments and many parishes and towns have local races on the ballot, including the New Orleans City Council and Mayor.  Polling locations will be open from 7:00am to 8:00pm. Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, a civic engagement organization, is encouraging voters affected by Hurricane Ida to check their polling location ahead of time because many have been moved, they say.  Power Coalition will be providing rides to the polls on election day. Voters who need a ride can call: (504) 612- 1513 or sign up at pcej.org/PowerRides.  “It is important to vote in every election,”...

For Immediate Release: November 9, 2021  Alexandria, LA– On Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at the LSU Alexandria Ballroom, legislators will continue the Redistricting Roadshow at 5:30 P.M. CST. This is the 4th stop on the roadshow where legislators hear comments and testimony from the public about the redistricting process.   Political Redistricting happens every 10 years after the census and is an opportunity to draw new political district boundaries based on population changes. The goal of redistricting is to create equitable and competitive political districts. Historically, Louisiana communities of color have had little say in the way their communities are mapped or represented.  Community members can attend the Redistricting Roadshow to learn more about the redistricting process and can testify about communities of interest and how they would like to see political districts drawn in their area.  “The Redistricting Roadshow is an opportunity for individuals and communities to engage their legislators...

After years of doing taxes the same way, Louisiana voters beginning Saturday are being asked to decide if the state should head in a different direction. Forty-three parishes, like Orleans, are choosing local leadership or deciding propositions, like East Baton Rouge, which is seeking to renew a property tax that funds the local city buses....

Storm water had moved a tomb near the front door. When the door was opened a snake slithered out from the accumulated marsh grass. Jumping out of the way, Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s only thought was “nope.”...

Ashley Shelton, Executive Director of the Power Coalition of Equity & Justice, discusses redistricting in Louisiana. By Ashley K. Shelton Originally published in Word in Black When any storm makes its way into the Gulf, one of my greatest fears is always that history will repeat itself. An overwhelming sense of concern came over me as I watched Hurricane Ida grow in strength and head into the Gulf. I thought to myself, “This cannot be happening again.” I have been organizing at the local, state, and federal levels for more than 16 years. I have seen a clear pattern from my work in disaster recovery that communities of color are often left behind in the recovery process. For those of us in Louisiana, we will not let history repeat itself. We can no longer live in a long-term state of resiliency, and we must change the pattern of never being made whole...

A coalition of major civil rights organizations demanded Monday that Louisiana legislators redraw election districts to increase the chance that a second Black person can be elected to Congress....

Redistricting is the hot topic at the State Capitol these days, and it should be. The outcome of the redistricting special session, which is tentatively set for February, will impact almost every government decision for the next decade....

A coalition of major civil rights organizations demanded Monday that Louisiana legislators redraw election districts to allow for the chance that a second Black person can be elected to Congress....

‘It’s always urgent when it’s about vote, voice and power’ Climate change, a major concern of this week’s United Nations General Assembly, affects people across the globe through immigration, food production and the economy, to name a few. But as Ashley K. Shelton tells Mary C. Curtis, climate change is also spurring voter suppression. Shelton, who leads the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and is a founding member of the Black Southern Women’s Collective, is turning her attention to policies that need to be in place to ensure that Americans disproportionately affected by devastating weather events can fully participate in democracy....

OPINION: It is imperative that groups seeking to offer humanitarian relief direct funds to grassroots groups who are clNonprofits and churches are always the first, and often the only, to step up and provide basic needs during disasters....

Power Coalition for Equity and Justice is a group of community-based organizations that work together to educate and empower voters across Louisiana. Through their voter engagement and community organizing work, the Power Coalition seeks to unify community voices into a stronger, more cohesive force that can successfully advocate for an agenda of shared values and issues....

The word resilient is one that has been oft-used to describe those of us in Louisiana who survived Hurricane Katrina. A description one finds in media spectacles, political assurances, and academic studies. However, this notion of resiliency overlooks all those who lost homes and lives, those who did not make it and those who could not return, those who could not withstand or recovery quickly, and those who don’t get recognized at all despite their resilience....

For Immediate Release: September 8, 2021  Baton Rouge, LA– On September 8, ten days after Hurricane Ida made landfall, Governor John Bel Edwards approved Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin’s emergency election plan, pushing the fall elections back by a month. The primary election will now be Saturday, November 13 and the runoff election will take place on Saturday, December 11.  “We want to thank the Governor and Secretary of State for making this decision,” says Ashley Shelton, CEO of Power Coalition for Equity and Justice. “Recovery from this devastating storm needs to be the priority of our communities right now. By delaying the election we can ensure that more people will be able to participate in democracy.” The Secretary of State’s office cited damage to polling locations, displaced election workers, and that the storm affected 42% of the state’s voters as drivers of this decision.  “There are 4 statewide Constitutional...

For Immediate Release: September 7, 2021  New Orleans, LA– Power Coalition for Equity and Justice is on the front lines of Hurricane Ida response, amplifying the work of community partners and organizers. In times of crisis, directly impacted people know what they need and Hurricane Ida is no different. Throughout Southeast Louisiana we have seen an outpouring of support from neighbors, faith leaders, community organizers, and community members who know how to respond to each other’s needs. To aid in these efforts, Power Coalition regranted over $150,000 to grassroots organizers and mutual aid groups on the ground in the first week of hurricane recovery. “We are proud of our ability to regrant dollars to the community and know that there is a grassroots infrastructure that has been built so that we are responsive to community needs immediately,” says Ashley Shelton, Founder and CEO of Power Coalition. “We are steeped in...

“WE CANNOT EXCUSE THE SUFFERING OF MARGINALIZED PEOPLE AS A MATTER OF FATE; IT IS A MATTER OF POLITICAL WILL,” SAYS ASHLEY SHELTON, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE POWER COALITION FOR EQUALITY AND JUSTICE....

“It is imperative that groups seeking to offer humanitarian relief direct funds to grassroots groups who are closest to the pain of marginalization,” says Ashley Shelton, executive director of the Power Coalition for Equality and Justice....

Entergy New Orleans customers could end up paying higher electricity bills to cover the cost of repairs from Hurricane Ida  — but how big of an increase they’ll see would depend on whether the local and federal governments agree to foot some of the bill, the company said Wednesday. ...

Ahead of a host of local and municipal elections, the Black Southern Women’s Collective, today urged marginalized communities to demand that their elected leaders prioritize their voices and concerns. The Black Southern Women’s Collective is a network of Black women organizing in the South to improve the material conditions of Black people. Several members of the collective – Nse Ufot, executive director of the New Georgia Project; Pastor Rhonda Thomas, executive director of Faith in Florida; and Ashley Shelton, executive director of the Power Coalition in Louisiana –issued the following statement:...

Today, one day after the 16th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, I cannot help but reflect as Ida ravishes our state. This storm comes as our region faces the worst impacts of a fourth surge of COVID-19, the Delta variant, exacerbating joblessness, food, and housing insecurity.  I have always been struck by the inhumanity of these storms; they always hit at the end of the month when working class folks are forced to choose between evacuating and paying bills. The utter destruction of all that they have worked to build is cruel, but the storm is the first slight. The rebuilding process is the next, and given the strained supply chain, rebuilding is always more difficult than it looks ....

A Louisiana judge on Thursday rejected a request for a preliminary injunction that would have required the state to resume participation in several federal pandemic unemployment programs....

For Immediate Release: July 19, 2021  Shreveport, LA –Louisiana’s vaccination is still lagging behind other states in the nation. Despite a slow start, people continue to get vaccinated due to increased understanding of the vaccine in communities, increased access to the vaccine, and now a shot at a million dollars.  Power Coalition, the Louisiana Department of Health, and other partners have been knocking on doors, texting our communities, and calling people across Louisiana since April to get people vaccinated. The Bring Back Louisiana campaign is ensuring that people know that they are eligible for the vaccine, where they can get it, and answer any questions about the vaccine.  “There is still hesitancy in the community about vaccines but we have found that having conversations with people, listening to their concerns, and building trust are ways that we are breaking through and getting more people vaccinated,” says Power Coalition for Equity...

For Immediate Release: July 15, 2021  New Orleans, LA–Since April 2021, Power Coalition has been a part of the Bring Back Louisiana campaign to get more Louisiana residents vaccinated. Baton Rouge, LA–Yesterday, voting rights advocates joined Governor Edwards to sign two new democracy expanding laws into effect.  Act 365 extends early voting for Presidential elections in Louisiana, increasing the early voting period from 7 days to 11 days. Across the country, the average length of early voting periods is 19 days with some states having as many as 45 days.  Act 22  increases the amount of time that voters have in the voting booth from 3 minutes to 6 minutes. After 3 minutes, voters could be asked to leave the voting booth regardless of whether they had completed the ballot, putting some populations, such as elderly people, people who speak English as a second language, or those with learning disabilities...

For Immediate Release: July 12, 2021  New Orleans, LA–Since April 2021, Power Coalition has been a part of the Bring Back Louisiana campaign to get more Louisiana residents vaccinated. The Louisiana vaccination rate is one of the lowest in the nation at just over 35%. We lag behind other states in vaccination rates for a number of reasons but Power Coalition and our partners remain dedicated to doing everything that we can to meet community members where they are.  Power Coalition has over 50 canvassers working throughout the state. These are experienced canvassers with deep roots in the communities they are contacting. They have worked during election seasons and are from the areas that they work in, a key in elections and an important component of convincing vaccine hesitant populations to get the vaccine.  “People are more likely to feel comfortable getting vaccinated if they trust the people giving them...

When Lakeisha Brown knocks on doors to talk about the coronavirus vaccines, she anticipates tough conversations. Oftentimes, folks are confused or scared of the jab. They have plenty of questions but few opportunities to get answers. “I try not to be pushy,” Brown said. “I’m not here to make your mind up for you. I’m here to help you along the way.”...

Power Coalition and SCSJ Train 3 Redistricting Fellows  Power Coalition and Southern Coalition for Social Justice train three redistricting fellows with the goal of engaging and educating communities around Louisiana about equitable redistricting.  New Orleans, LA– As the nation gears up for political redistricting, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, in partnership with the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, is excited to host 3 Redistricting Fellows in Louisiana. These fellows will work across the state to educate communities, institutions, and legislators on the principles of political redistricting.  Political Redistricting happens every 10 years after the census and is an opportunity to draw new political district boundaries based on population changes. The goal of redistricting is to create equitable and competitive political districts so that people can be represented by legislators who will advocate on behalf of the community’s best interests.  Political gerrymandering is when areas draw political districts that favor...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, June 18 Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and YWCA Greater Baton Rouge pay bail for people awaiting trial in the East Baton Rouge jail in celebration of Juneteenth.  Baton Rouge, LA– Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and the YWCA Greater Baton Rouge are partnering for the annual Juneteenth Freedom Bailout. Juneteenth, also referred to as Freedom or Liberation Day, is a celebration of the emancipation from slavery in 1865. On the national day of freedom, Power Coalition and YWCA are dedicated to posting bail for people currently in East Baton Rouge jail who can not afford their bail and are not yet convicted of a crime.  The practice of bail is rooted in injustice. Low income people are forced to sit in jail before ever even being convicted of a crime while people with more financial means are able to post bail.  In 2021,...

Power Coalition CEO Ashley Shelton discusses grassroots organizing in Louisiana in the current pandemic and political landscape....

For Immediate Release: Thursday, June 17 Power Coalition and partners across Louisiana are hosting events and engaging in work in celebration of Juneteenth.  Power Coalition and YWCA Greater Baton Rouge will be hosting their second annual Juneteenth Bailout on Sunday, June 20 at the Eastern Baton Rouge Jail. They will be posting bail for people currently being held awaiting trial.  Join Imagination Leads, City of Baton Rouge- Mayor President Sharon Weston Broome, Manship Theatre, and Power Coalition as we celebrate Juneteenth with a Conversation & Evening with Tiffany Cross host of The Cross Connection. The event will be at the Manship Theater at Shaw Center for the Arts, on Friday, June 18 at 7pm with virtual and in person options available. Find out more and reserve tickets at: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/juneteenth-speaker-series-featuring-tiffany-cross-tickets-154047934519f June 18th, 2021 is the first day of the Freedom Ride for Voting Rights Bus Tour that will launch in none...

For Immediate Release: June 16 Power Coalition and partners help to pass democracy expanding bills in Louisiana.  Baton Rouge, LA– While states across the country pass voter suppression bills and limit access to the ballot box, Louisiana passed 3 important democracy expanding pieces of legislation this session. Louisiana had one of the most stringent voting booth time limits in the nation. Voters were only allowed to be in the voting booth for 3 minutes, after which they could be asked to leave regardless of whether they completed the ballot. This rule was disproportionately used to ask people of color to leave the booth, and hurt elderly populations, people who speak english as a second language, and those who despite being able to cast a vote independently may need additional time. Voters in Louisiana will now have 6 minutes to cast their ballots, doubling the amount of time so that they...

For immediate release– June 9, 2021 Prominent Southern University Alumni Release New Book: The HBCU Experience: Southern University System Edition Baton Rouge, LA– A new best selling book: The HBCU Experience: Southern University System Edition, features stories from prominent Southern University Alumni who are doing amazing things in their careers, businesses, and communities nationally and internationally. Visionary Author Dr. Ashley Little engaged Janea Jamison, Director of Programs for Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, as the lead author of this collection of stories. “I am extremely grateful to be the lead author on this project. Southern University laid the foundation and helped me grow into my career, formed long lasting friendships and relationships” said lead author, Janea Jamison,  “It is extremely important that we are able to capture the stories of alumni throughout the world.” For far too long, there has been a pervasive false narrative about attending HBCUs. Despite...

BATON ROUGE, La. (KSLA) – Louisiana voters could have four additional days for early voting in the next presidential election. That is, if Governor John Bel Edwards signs the bill. HB 286, filed by Representative Frederick Jones, would give Louisianans 11 days instead of the current seven days for early voting. It has passed with bipartisan support in both the Louisiana House and Senate....

House Bill 286 to Extend Early Voting Passes Senate and Headed to Governor’s Desk Baton Rouge, LA– HB 286 to extend early voting for presidential elections passed the Louisiana Senate unanimously and is now headed to the Governor’s desk. The bill, sponsored by Representative Fred Jones out of Monroe, extends in-person early voting for presidential elections. Under this new law, early voting for presidential elections will take place over 11 days instead of the previous 7. “This is a big achievement for a state in the deep south” said Power Coalition Founder and CEO, Ashley Shelton. “We know that providing more opportunities to vote increases turnout, makes lines shorter, and expands democracy.”  In 2020, Power Coalition filed a federal lawsuit to extend early voting and increase vote by mail options in a COVID reality. These increased options were widely used and demonstrated the need for increased voting options in Louisiana;...

Louisiana has a voting access problem, particularly in areas where Black voters reside. But one bill before the Louisiana Legislature, HB 286 sponsored by Rep. Frederick Jones (D-Monroe), would address this problem by increasing access to in-person voting and extending from seven days to 11 eleven days the window for early voting in presidential elections. ...

For immediate release– May 19, 2021 House Bill 285 to Increase Time in Voting Booth Unanimously Passes Senate and Headed to Governor’s Desk Baton Rouge, LA– HB 285 to increase the amount of time one has in the voting booth passed the Senate unanimously yesterday, clearing the path for the Governor’s desk. The bill, sponsored by Representative Ted James out of Baton Rouge, increases the time limit that people can spend in the voting booth from three minutes to six minutes for all elections.  Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, the organization that encouraged this bill and engaged community members to support the bill, says this bill is based on an issue that arose again in the 2020 election, with people being asked to leave the voting booth after 3 minutes even if they did not have time to complete their ballot. In 2020, with a ballot that included 7...

For immediate release- April 27, 2021 Power Coalition and Partners Hosting COVID-19 Vaccination Events to “Bring Back Louisiana” New Orleans, LA– Power Coalition has joined forces with the Department of Health, Louisiana Public Health Institute, and other partners to vaccinate our communities.  The Power Coalition has deep roots in communities across the state and is a trusted voice to increase vacations in the communities we serve. The COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective at reducing COVID-19 related deaths and hospitalizations, dramatically reducing the risk of the virus for vaccinated people. At the moment, over 1.2 million people in Louisiana have completed the vaccination series. Though a good start, vaccine access has been limited in low income and majority Black neighborhoods. To combat this and ensure that everyone has equal access to vaccinations and protection from COVID-19, Power Coalition is using their stateside network of volunteers and...

For immediate release- April 23, 2021 Power Coalition joins forces with the Department of Health and LPHI to “Bring Back Louisiana” Baton Rouge, LA– Power Coalition has joined forces with the Department of Health, Louisiana Public Health Institute, and other partners to run a GOTV campaign with a twist- this time reaching neighborhoods to Get Out The Vaccine.  The Power Coalition has deep roots in communities across the state and is a trusted voice to increase vacations in the communities we serve. The COVID-19 vaccines have been shown to be safe and effective at reducing COVID-19 related deaths and hospitalizations, dramatically reducing the risk of the virus for vaccinated people. At the moment, over 1.15 million people in Louisiana have completed the vaccination series. Though a good start, vaccine access has been limited in low income and majority Black neighborhoods. To combat this and ensure that everyone has equal access...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE– April 23, 2021 “Time” Oscar Watch Party and Celebration New Orleans, LA– Criminal Justice reform advocates will be hosting an Oscar Watch Party and Celebration for the Oscar nominated documentary “Time”. This documentary, filmed over 2 decades, shares the story of matriarch Fox Rich as she fights for her husband Robert’s release from Angola while raising their six sons.  VOTE Nola, Friends and Families of Louisiana’s Incarcerated Children, Promise of Justice Institute, Power Coalition, and Participatory Defense Movement NOLA will be hosting an event to celebrate this film’s Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature. The film’s director, Garet Bradley won the U.S. documentary directing award for “Time” at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, becoming the first Black woman to do so.   This film shares the story and experiences of families that is not often shared when discussing mass incarceration. Weaving together home videos, interviews, and footage from...

**PRESS RELEASE** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- April 20, 2021 Political Redistricting Shapes Local and Federal Elections New Orleans, LA– On March 20, Louisiana had special elections for 2 Congressional House seats. Congressional Districts 2 and 5 turned out to vote, some people for the 3rd time since the November election. Power Coalition and partners activated our command center that includes an election protection hotline, monitoring social media, and engaging lawyers and advocates to engage in rapid response to any concerns at polling locations to ensure fair elections. We received numerous calls and saw reports from voters who could not cast their ballot because their polling place was closed.  One twitter tweeted that voter suppression was happening in Louisiana. She was right, there is a version of voter suppression happening in Louisiana, and it’s deeper than people imagined. The political districts in Louisiana are drawn to suppress the voices of people of...

**PRESS RELEASE** FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE- March 24, 2021 Marijuana Decriminalization Bill passes in Shreveport SHREVEPORT, LA On Tuesday, March 23rd, the Shreveport City Council voted 5-2 in favor of an ordinance which would decriminalize possession of less than 14 grams (half an ounce) of marijuana for residents 18 years of age or older. The proposal came about as a result of collaboration between the City of Shreveport with bipartisan support from Shreveport City council members Tabatha Taylor and John Nickelson. On Monday, March 22nd the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice hosted a townhall about the ordinance with the two councilmembers. Many of the questions from audience members were centered around what other entities were aware of the proposed ordinance and how it would affect existing laws. Councilman John Nickelson, who is also an attorney, discussed the racial disparities which exist in sentencing and conviction regarding marijuana possession and how...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-February 10, 2021 Power Coalition and Partners Host Congressional House District 2 Candidate Forum To help the public prepare for the March 20 special elections, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and our partners will be hosting virtual candidate forums. The Congressional House District 2 Candidate Forum will take place virtually tomorrow, Thursday, February 11, at 6:30 p.m.  NEW ORLEANS, LA | February 10, 2021—On Thursday, February 11, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ) and partners will host the Congressional House District 2 candidate forum. Starting at 6:30 p.m., this virtual event will feature 11 candidates. This forum, moderated by Vice President of Rise St. James Stephanie Cooper, will feature questions centered on environmental justice, public health, criminal justice reform, and more. “With these forums, we want to educate voters about the people who are running to represent them in their communities,” said PCEJ Community...

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – A coalition of Louisiana organizations dedicated to civic engagement wants to get the word out to those who did not participate in the 2020 census because of their immigration status that there is still time to be counted if enough people speak up.  “Right now what we’re focusing on is trying to remedy any possible damage that came from those who didn’t necessarily want to be counted,” says Candice Battiste, who is a North Louisiana organizer for the Power Coalition For Equity & Justice. “So what we will be able to do is possibly look back at those communities and determine based on prior census whether there has been any growth.”...

Ashley Shelton, the executive director of the nonprofit, said Tuesday night that her organization appreciates Ardoin keeping the COVID-19 reasons to request and absentee ballot, “but (he) did not keep the extended early voting (which they also did not do in December) so while we support extended mail in voting, I think we would like to see extended in-person early voting opportunities so that more people can use that option, especially since almost 30 percent of people early voted in person in November due in large part to the extra days.”...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE-December 3, 2020 Artists & Advocates Join Forces to Call for an Equitable and Just City Budget Election Day Power and Praise Giveaway   The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ) and our partners will be joining forces to give out care boxes with food, masks, hygiene products, and voter education materials.  BATON ROUGE, LA | December 3, 2020—This Saturday, December 5 during the runoff election in Louisiana, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and our partners will be giving out care boxes with food, masks, hygiene products, and voter education materials.  From 10:00 am to 2:00 pm the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ),  Beacon of Light of Baton Rouge, Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church, and Elm Grove Baptist Church will be handing out these care boxes for free to anyone in the community who needs these resources. “Throughout this election season, we have been working with...

When news broke that Florida voters had approved a ballot measure raising the minimum wage to $15 an hour, Terrence Wise celebrated from a thousand miles away. “If we can get it in the Deep South, you know, down there in Florida, it’s bringing all workers closer to $15 an hour minimum wage on a national level,” says Wise, a McDonald’s worker in Kansas City, Mo., and a leading voice of the Fight for 15 movement. ...

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–November 16, 2020 Artists & Advocates Join Forces to Call for an Equitable and Just City Budget   As the New Orleans City Council winds down its hearings on the 2021 city budget, artists and advocates will join forces for an event at Ashè Cultural Center on Tuesday, November 17, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., to demand that Mayor Cantrell and the City Council prioritize people over profits and police.   NEW ORLEANS, LA | November 16, 2020—Tomorrow, Tuesday, November 17, from 2:00 – 6:00 p.m., the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ) and our friends at the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance (GNOHA) and the Orleans Parish Prison Reform Coalition (OPPRC) are teaming up with the folks at Ashè Cultural Arts Center to host an arts advocacy event about the New Orleans city budget. In particular, we intend to focus on the fact that our city is currently...

‘The people are tired’ of corporate tax exemptions, one opponent says During Tuesday’s statewide election, Louisiana voters rejected Amendment 5, which would have allowed some manufacturers to avoid the property taxes they would otherwise owe local taxing jurisdictions for new projects or additions and instead negotiate lower payments with those jurisdictions.   Edgar Cage, a leader of Together Louisiana, a statewide network of congregations and civic organizations, and an opponent of the Amendment, called it “corporate welfare” and another tax loophole that allows corporations to avoid paying their fair share. Sixty-three percent of Louisiana voters, or a total of 1,221,197, voted against the amendment....

Extreme temperatures and record storms are shuttering polls, leading climate advocates to raise concerns about disenfranchisement.  A record number of voters have cast ballots ahead of Election Day, but extreme weather has displaced thousands of others and shuttered polling sites across the country in what climate advocates are calling a new form of disenfranchisement. Red and blue precincts alike are dealing with disruptions, and people already vulnerable to disenfranchisement — older people, those with disabilities, low-income Americans and people of color — are bearing the brunt of the latest voting challenges....

WEST MONROE, LA. (KTVE/KARD)– Candice Battiste with Power Coalition Equity and Justice said this year’s early voter turnout was record breaking. “Every record has been shattered, I mean I don’t think there is anything left, any records left to break, which is really exciting,” Battiste said. Battiste said they are expecting the same for election day, but they’ve also experienced issues concerning voter registration. That’s why volunteers with Power Coalition will be at the polls to help voters who are having problems getting their vote in....

Power Coalition & Partners to Provide Rides to the Polls & Voter Protection on Election Day    The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ) and our partners will be joining forces to protect voters and provide rides to the polls all Election Day long. Louisiana voters can visit powercoalition.org to find their polling place, sample ballot, a ride to the polls, and more important election information, and call 866-OUR-VOTE if they experience problems voting.    NEW ORLEANS, LA | November 2, 2020—Nearly 1 million Louisianans have already cast their ballots this election season, and another 1 million-plus are expected to vote on Election Day, tomorrow, Tuesday, November 3, when polls will be open from 6:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. “The Power Coalition and our partners have already made more than 1.2 million voter contacts over the past couple of months, where we’ve talked to folks about how important it is for...

Louisiana is gearing up for a historic election on Tuesday, with officials in the New Orleans area expecting extraordinary turnout for the presidential race despite hurdles that have added difficulty to voting this year. In addition to the headline race between President Donald Trump and former Vice President Joe Biden, Louisiana ballots feature seven state constitutional amendments and dozens of local races....

WEST MONROE, LA. (KTVE/KARD)– Candice Battiste with Power Coalition Equity and Justice said this year’s early voter turnout was record breaking. “Every record has been shattered, I mean I don’t think there is anything left, any records left to break, which is really exciting,” Battiste said. Battiste said they are expecting the same for election day, but they’ve also experienced issues concerning voter registration. That’s why volunteers with Power Coalition will be at the polls to help voters who are having problems getting their vote in....

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – On Election Day Tuesday, there will be a population that has a much tougher time exercising one of the basic rights: voting. Chronically homeless face a number of barriers that prevent them from voting. Many do not have a permanent address they can use to register, even more do not have an ID. Even for those who are registered and have an ID, the lack of transportation limits their ability to get to the polls. “Also, having to engage with the system that’s not really working for them in their lives at that moment is pretty challenging,” said Ashley Shelton, the Executive Director of The Power Coalition....

In Louisiana, where 325,000 homes remained without electricity Friday in the wake of Hurricane Zeta, voting advocates were rebuffed in their effort to have absentee-ballot deadlines extended by a day. The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Anti-Defamation League Southern Region and statewide group the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice had written Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin and asked that he act “to prevent the disenfranchisement” of voters without power who couldn’t get online by 4:30 p.m. Friday to request an absentee ballot or who might face difficulties returning their absentee ballots by the Monday afternoon deadline. (In Louisiana, ballots must be in the possession of voting registrars by the deadline.)...

SHREVEPORT, La- If you need a ride to the polls on Election Day, the Power Coalition –along with its Power Partners– are providing rides. The Power Coalition is a nonprofit organization in Louisiana. They are providing rides in Shreveport, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans. To reserve a ride on November 3rd, call: Shreveport: 318-615-9203  Lafayette: 337-385-3887 Baton Rouge: 225-317-9028 New Orleans: 504-434-2299 Or go to the Power Coalition website....

LaKeshia Barnett avoids contact with the public in her job at the U.S. Postal Service, where she wears a mask and practices social distancing to the fullest extent possible. She is worried about infecting family members who are battling health conditions including asthma and hypertension that heighten their risk of dying from COVID-19. Barnett, 26, has voted regularly since first registering at 18, and she intends to vote in the November election in her home state of Louisiana....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–October 30, 2020 In Wake of Hurricane Zeta, Power Coalition, NAACP LDF, ADL ask Sec. of State Ardoin to Extend Absentee Voting Deadlines     With Hurricane Zeta having knocked out power for hundreds of thousands of Louisianans in the run up to Election Day on Tuesday, November 3, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund, and Anti-Defamation League South Central Region.   NEW ORLEANS, LA | October 30, 2020—Hurricane Zeta blew through Southeast Louisiana on Wednesday evening, causing widespread damage and knocking power out for millions of people in the region, many of whom haven’t had their power restored yet. That devastation also came at an inopportune time in terms of voting, as Election Day, and the deadline for requesting and returning absentee ballots, is nearly upon us. With that in mind, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ) joined the NAACP Legal...

WEST MONROE, LA. (KTVE/KARD)– Candice Battiste with Power Coalition Equity and Justice said this year’s early voter turnout was record breaking. “Every record has been shattered, I mean I don’t think there is anything left, any records left to break, which is really exciting,” Battiste said. Battiste said they are expecting the same for election day, but they’ve also experienced issues concerning voter registration. That’s why volunteers with Power Coalition will be at the polls to help voters who are having problems getting their vote in....

OUACHITA PARISH, La. (KNOE) – A new study by the non-profit Measure of America revealed that Northeast Louisiana has the worst quality of life in the state. The group measures the well-being of certain areas based on health, education and median income. On a scale of 1 to 10, the state measured at a 4.35. In the NELA area, every parish fell below that number, with East Carroll ranking as the worst in the state with a 1.69. “This work represents exactly the kind of data analysis necessary to see where our state is improving and where we still need to do work,” Dr. Jenee Slocum said....

A string of natural disasters has drastically altered how Lake Charles’ residents will cast their votes this election year.  In the aftermath of Hurricanes Laura and Delta nearly 70 percent of 123 voting precincts in the Lake Charles area have been moved to a new location, according to Lynn Jones, the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court. Residents from 85 voting precincts have been directed to three consolidated ‘mega-sites’ to vote during the early voting period and for the general election on Nov. 3. “This is going to go down as one of the most challenging elections in our history,” Jones said. “It was a one, two, three punch. The second we were done making modifications for COVID, Laura hits, and then comes Delta.”...

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – President Donald Trump posted a tweet on Tuesday, saying people can change their votes. However, that depends on where people are casting their votes. For the four states in the ArkLaTex, his tweet is not accurate. “Once you have cast your vote, that is it,” said Candice Battiste, the north Louisiana organizer for the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice. Technically, people can change their minds, but your vote will not be counted twice. In Louisiana, if a person sends in their mail-in ballot but still proceeds to vote in-person, the state will only count whichever (mail-in or in-person) is received first. Therefore, voters could potentially change their minds if they go in-person before the election office receives their mail-in ballot. However, if the mail-in ballot arrives before the person physically goes to the polls, they will not be allowed to vote in-person....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–October 28, 2020 Power Coalition Executive Director Ashley Shelton to Join Webinar to Launch “Portrait of Louisiana 2020” Report on Thurs., Oct. 29   A new report from Measure of America, “A Portrait of Louisiana 2020,” shows that the pandemic could significantly worsen statewide disparities in well-being, with the analysis broken down by race, place, and gender to show where relief efforts could make the greatest impact.   NEW ORLEANS, LA | October 28, 2020—Tomorrow, Thursday, October 29, at 3:30 p.m., Ashley Shelton, Executive Director of the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ), will join moderator Jan Moller, Executive Director of the Louisiana Budget Project, and panelists Davante Lewis, Director of Public Affairs and Outreach at the Louisiana Budget Project, and Erika Zucker, Policy Advocate at the Workplace Justice Project at Loyola Law Clinic in a webinar to discuss a new report from Measure of America, “A Portrait of...

On the precipice of a historic election in a global pandemic, as anti-racist action confronts increasing authoritarianism, voting is under attack, y’all—especially in the South. What’s going down in your community? Let us know. Scalawag reporters and Anoa Changa are responding directly to your texts, questions, and tips....

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – Long lines and anxious voters signal early voting across the United States, as the country prepares for the November election. For Louisiana, this is the last weekend for early voting. Community organizations such as the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), set up shop in Shreveport to educate voters before they cast their ballots. “A lot of people don’t know they can take their sample ballots with them to the polls,” said Candice Battiste, northwest Louisiana organizer of the Power Coalition. She said it’s crucial people make educated votes and take the time to get to know what’s on the ballot before getting in line at their local polling locations....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–October 23, 2020 The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, Voice of the Experienced (VOTE) & others to host 10 early voting events statewide to celebrate Early Voting Day, Saturday, Oct. 24.  The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, Voice of the Experienced (VOTE) & others to host 10 early voting events statewide to celebrate Early Voting Day, Saturday, Oct. 24.   NEW ORLEANS, LA | October 23, 2020—Tomorrow, Saturday, October 24, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ), Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), Black Voters Matter, Ride New Orleans, Rides to the Polls, the Bossier NAACP, and various partner organizations will be hosting 10 events to celebrate Early Voting Day and help boost voter turnout across Louisiana. Louisiana voters have already set a new record for early voting turnout, with approximately 573,000 votes cast between in-person early voting and voting by mail combined. The Power Coalition and...

How to make sense of the seemingly endless list of local offices up for election. “Overcrowded ballots are a form of voter suppression.” Ashley Shelton of Power Coalition Louisiana shared this powerful perspectiveduring the As The South Votes town hall last week, and it’s already ringing true for many voters across the country. Here in North Carolina, the ballot for my voting district has 37 offices listed, and my friends in Raleigh also have a hotly debated Affordable Housing Bond referendum.  As many people use lunch breaks, snatchs of time in between classes or clients, or the bookends of their day to vote in person, time is truly of the essence at the polls. Compound that with the incredibly long lines that many voters are experiencing at early voting locations across the South, and these long ballots become truly exhausting....

BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – On Election Day Tuesday, there will be a population that has a much tougher time exercising one of the basic rights: voting. Chronically homeless face a number of barriers that prevent them from voting. Many do not have a permanent address they can use to register, even more do not have an ID. Even for those who are registered and have an ID, the lack of transportation limits their ability to get to the polls. “Also, having to engage with the system that’s not really working for them in their lives at that moment is pretty challenging,” said Ashley Shelton, the Executive Director of The Power Coalition....

SHREVEPORT, La. (KSLA) – With more than 41 million Americans already voting in the 2020 election, there’s a strong feeling that people want their voices heard this year. So imagine the surprise some people get when they arrive to vote only to discover their name is not on the voter registry. That’s exactly what happened to Amber Dixon on Tuesday at the Caddo Registrar’s office in downtown Shreveport. “I’m sitting here wondering, ‘what’s going on?’ I’m looking at everybody else passed me. And I was like, ‘I really want to vote today.’ I had it on my mind as I went out the door,’ said Dixon....

Tomorrow, October 20, at 7:00 p.m., Stephanie Mckee-Anderson, Executive Artistic Director of Junebug Productions, a 40-year-old local and national leader in Performing Arts, will go live on Instagram with the Executive Director of the Power Coalition of Equity and Justice, Ashley Shelton, to discuss the importance of voting and the organization’s work to ensure that Louisianians are equipped with the information that they need to exercise their right to vote....

In the midst of a pandemic and uncertainty about what Nov. 3 will bring, it’s safe to say that the 2020 presidential election will be unlike any we’ve seen before. Even voter suppression — which has been a problem for years — is taking new forms. Some Americans are being targeted online with misinformation about the election, and many are worried mail-in ballots won’t be counted in time as the United States Postal Service faces funding shortfalls. Meanwhile, President Donald Trump’s call for unofficial “poll watchers” has election officials and voting rights advocates fearing voter intimidation....

According to the Louisiana Secretary of State, 16,880 people cast a ballot Friday and Saturday in Jefferson Parish during the first two days of early voting. HARVEY, La. — For as long as the early voting line at the Odom Building in Harvey seemed Monday, Rose Sanzone decided to give it another go after giving up on it Friday because of the first-day lines. “The line was much too long (Friday),” Sanzone said. “So, we passed today and we thought, we can bear this.” Others like Corey Coleman tried earlier in the day and gave it a second shot after lunch....

Maxine Shelby, a former poll commissioner in Avondale, was shocked, because she thought she knew what to expect from early voting. “It took my daughter seven hours to be served,” she said. So although the polls didn’t open Saturday until 8 a.m., Shelby, 79, and her niece showed up at the Charles B. Odom Sr. Service Center in Marrero at 2:45 a.m., the first in line there on the second day of the early voting period for the Nov. 3 elections. Within 15 minutes, the line began to grow....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–October 17, 2020 Voters Overcome Long Lines in West Jefferson Parish   Concerns about polling locations not being able to handle a rush of voters were unfortunately borne out on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish, as voters have been forced to wait in line for hours to vote at the Charles Odom Building in Marrero. NEW ORLEANS, LA | October 17, 2020—With early voting underway, we’re seeing long lines to vote at polling locations across the state. But it seems to be especially problematic on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish, where voters have had to wait in line for hours on both of the first two days of early voting. Voters who’ve gone to the Charles Odom Building, at 5001 West Bank Expressway, have had to wait in line for up to six hours to cast their ballots. It’s worth noting that the West Bank is one...

The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ) and their partners — including Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), and the NAACP — are celebrating the three additional days of early voting (10 days total) with a series of live and online events across Louisiana....

As The South Votes Town Hall—Part 2 Scalawag created the As the South Votes project in part as a resource for rural Southern voters whose stories often go uncovered—or are flat out misrepresented by national media outlets. Stereotypes of rural voters as those who vote against their own interests fail to see the structural ways in which rural communities are discounted and intentionally discouraged from voting. At a recent virtual town hall, Anoa Changa sat down with three representatives from advocacy groups across the South where they discussed how to ethically empower rural voters this election....

We all know someone who isn’t going to vote this election. Sometimes it’s out of deep frustration and disappointment, and sometimes it is out of immutable skepticism. And let’s admit, too: They aren’t necessarily wrong. With all the inaccurate information, doomsday reporting from national outlets, and tepid responses to injustice from progressive political officials, many voters—particularly Black voters—have a right to feel disillusioned.  Anoa Changa sat down with three Black women voting advocates to discuss this very issue at Scalawag’s As The South Votes Town Hall, in partnership with PEN America....

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE–October 16, 2020 Every Day of Early Voting is Election Day!   Early voting opens in Louisiana today, Friday, October 16, and runs through Tuesday, October 27 (except on Sundays). Polls are open from 8:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and our partners want to make sure that every day of Early Voting is treated like Election Day. NEW ORLEANS, LA | October 16, 2020—In the wake of our victory in the Harding v. Edwards case, the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ) and our partners–including Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), and the NAACP–are celebrating the three additional days of early voting (10 days total) with a series of live and online events across Louisiana. From today through October 27, we’ll be treating each day of early voting like it’s Election Day in order to boost voter turnout in Louisiana to historic...

A string of natural disasters has drastically altered how Lake Charles’ residents will cast their votes this election year.  In the aftermath of Hurricanes Laura and Delta nearly 70 percent of 123 voting precincts in the Lake Charles area have been moved to a new location, according to Lynn Jones, the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court. Residents from 85 voting precincts have been directed to three consolidated ‘mega-sites’ to vote during the early voting period and for the general election on Nov. 3. “This is going to go down as one of the most challenging elections in our history,” Jones said. “It was a one, two, three punch. The second we were done making modifications for COVID, Laura hits, and then comes Delta.”...

‘This is just not the time,’ business lobby says about increasing unemployment benefits Louisiana lawmakers approved several bills Monday (Oct. 12) that would provide relief to businesses in light of the state’s unprecedented, pandemic-related unemployment rate, but mostly left behind proposals that would benefit unemployed workers. The House Labor and Industrial Relations Committee rejected a bill that would have boosted the state’s unemployment benefits from a maximum of $247 to $347 per week. The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry — the state’s most influential business group — opposed the legislation.   “This is just not the time,” Jim Patterson, the organization’s vice president of governmental relations, told committee members. ...

Louisiana’s expanded early voting, mail ballots and other coronavirus precautions will still take place for the Nov. 3 presidential election, but Republicans Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin and Attorney General Jeff Landry are appealing a judge’s decision to implement the new rules. Ardoin said in late September he wanted to focus on putting on the election and didn’t plan to appeal the federal court decision to expand absentee mail ballots, among other things, because of the pandemic. But he said he may appeal U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick’s legal opinion down the road. While the appeal comes three days before early voting begins in Louisiana, Ardoin and Landry are not asking for the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to block the rules between now and the Nov. 3 election. The notice of appeal was filed Tuesday....