Ater to announce N.O. elections recommendations

Secretary of State Al Ater will hold a press conference today at 10 a.m. in the Governor’s Press Room of the fourth floor of the State Capitol to announce his recommendations for the upcoming Feb. 4 New Orleans municipal primary elections.
The qualifying period for the elections is from Dec. 14-16. In the case of a run-off, the general elections will be held March 4.
Offices that will be voted upon include the civil and criminal sheriff’s position, civil and criminal clerks of court, assessors, coroner, mayor and council members.
Many of the voters from the New Orleans area are displaced, yet will be able to absentee vote. Relocated constituents will receive information from the Federal Emergency Management Agency regarding basic voting rights.
Last month, the Louisiana Black Caucus petitioned FEMA to release the names of New Orleans area constituents who were displaced, citing a need to get in touch with their voters. FEMA said the Privacy Act of 1974 restricted the agency from doing so, and denied the request.