Every Day of Early Voting is Election Day!

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 levels.

We’re also partnering with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law to protect voters from issues they might be experiencing at the polls. We’ll be supporting roving poll monitors across the state who will be able to respond to voter intimidation, malfunctioning voting equipment that leads to long lines, and any other problems. If you or anyone you know experiences problems voting, you can also call 1-866-OUR-VOTE.

“We’re excited to be able to put our victory in court into practice for early voting,” said PCEJ Executive Director Ashey Shelton. “When we vote, we change things. Our vote is one of the most powerful expressions of our voice. Early voting has started and we all need to get out and cast our votes so we can make our voices heard and our power felt at the polls this election season.”

Here’s a full breakdown of the events we have lined up so far. We’ll add more as early voting momentum continues to build.

New Orleans 

  • Friday, October 16, 4-6pm: Ride to the Polls with Black Voters Matter and Ride New Orleans–transportation and free RTA passes, Duncan Plaza, 343 Loyola Ave. 
  • Tuesday, October 20 4:30-6:30pm: Ride to the Polls with Black Voters Matter and Ride New Orleans–transportation and free RTA passes, Duncan Plaza, 343 Loyola Ave 
  • Saturday, October 24 10:30-12:30pm: Ride to the Polls with Black Voters Matter and Ride New Orleans–transportation and free RTA passes, Duncan Plaza, 343 Loyola Ave 
  • Saturday, October 24: VOTE rally, food and PPE distribution, and March to the Polls
  • Saturday, October 24 4-7pm: Bike N Vote, French Market to Smoothie King Center, Starting Point: French Market on Decatur St 
  • Tuesday, October 27 9-11am: Ride to the Polls with Black Voters Matter and Ride New Orleans–transportation and free RTA passes, Duncan Plaza, 343 Loyola Ave

Baton Rouge

  • Saturday, October 17, 11am-1pm: Early Voting Kickoff with Reverend Jonathan Hill and Alpha phi Alpha, Towne Center 
  • Tuesday, October 20: Prophetic Voices online event at 6:30 p.m. 
  • Saturday, October 24, 3-6pm: Bike N Vote, Galvez Plaza, 238 North Blvd, to Baton Rouge City Hall 
  • Saturday, October 24, 9-11am: Souls to the Polls with your pastor–various churches in Baton Rouge
  • Saturday, October 24: VOTE rally, food and PPE distribution, and March to the Polls 
  • Tuesday, October 27: Prophetic Voices online event 

Shreveport/Bossier

Lafayette

  • Saturday, October 17, 1-3pm: Stroll to the Polls, Meet at 425 Jefferson St., and bike or stroll to the polls

Saint Bernard Parish

  • Saturday, October 24 3-6: Bike N Vote, Dave’s Wings and Things–2407 Paris Road, Suite A, to Government Complex, 8245 W Judge Perez Drive, Chalmette  

The Power Coalition for Equity and Justice works to build voice and power in traditionally ignored communities. We are a coalition of groups from across Louisiana whose mission is to organize in impacted communities, educate and turn out voters, and fight for policies that create a more equitable and just system in Louisiana.

Who: Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under the Law, Black Voters Matter, Rides to the Polls, Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), Ride New Orleans, NAACP Bossier Chapter 

What: Power Coalition for Equity and Justice and partners work to get voters across Louisiana to turn out for early voting.

When: October 16 – 27, 2020

Contacts:

Ashley Shelton, Executive Director, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, (225) 802-2435, ashelton@powercoalition.org

Peter Robins-Brown, Communications Director, Power Coalition for Equity and Justice, (504) 256-8196, prb@powercoalition.org