What to know about the Nov. 15 general election in New Orleans
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It's election time again in the New Orleans metro.
Why it matters: This time, voters are making decisions on a small but meaningful handful of local races and propositions.
Catch up quick: New Orleans voters made most of their big decisions during the Oct. 11 primary, which saw a big victory for Mayor-elect Helena Moreno and other candidates who won outright with more than 50% of the vote.
- Not every race was decided so handily. Voters return for runoff selections in a few races and to address other local decisions for the first time.
- Some voters in Jefferson Parish and along the North Shore also have some local issues on the ballot.
Key dates: Early voting is open through Nov. 8.
- Absentee voters have until Nov. 12 to request a ballot, and it's got to be returned by 4:30pm Nov. 14 to count.
- Then, in-person voting runs from 7am to 8pm Nov. 15.
Orleans Parish
Clerk of Criminal Court: A relatively dull election turned spicy in the final days of the primary when controversy brewed over whether candidate Calvin Duncan was allowed to use the term "exonerated" to describe his own criminal justice history. Go deeper.
- The result was a pretty tight race. Now, Duncan faces incumbent Darren Lombard in the runoff.
City Council: Two district races went to a runoff, including:
- District A: With Councilman Joe Giarrusso stepping down, two of his former staffers are battling it out for the seat. Holly Friedman faces Aimee McCarron.
- District E: Councilman Oliver Thomas' time in office comes to an end after he lost to Moreno in the mayoral race. State Rep. Jason Hughes takes on former Councilwoman Cyndi Nguyen for the seat.
Charter amendments:
- Amendment 1 would change some city planning deadlines. Antigravity, which leans progressive, has a good explainer.
- Amendment 2 clarifies the city attorney's role. The Bureau of Governmental Research has an explainer.
Bond propositions: Voters will say yes or no to three bond propositions totaling $510 million aimed at filling potholes, providing affordable housing and maintaining public parks. Full explainer.
Neighborhood issues: Crime prevention district propositions are also on the ballot for Tall Timbers and Upper Audubon.
- Improvement or economic development measures are on the ballot for the French Quarter, Spring Lake and Broadmoor.
Jefferson Parish
Levee district: West Bank voters who live inside the flood protection system will decide whether to renew an existing millage aimed at maintaining it.
- The parish government has an explainer. So does the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority.