Edwin Buggage
Editor-in-Chief Data News Weekly
Citizens Get Out to Vote
Last week voters went to the polls to cast their ballots in the primary election. While turnout was low, with less than one-third of the city’s eligible voters getting to the polls. Based on the results of the election, and those making the run-off, the City government will look quite different. What does this mean for New Orleans? It is only time that will tell, but it is important that citizens become more engaged, because whether one casts a ballot or not, the policies enacted effects them directly, and their quality of life.
Four More Years
In one most watched race, Incumbent New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell cruised to a second term winning 65 percent of the vote among just 75,325 ballots cast. Following her win Cantrell, vowed to continue her fight for equity, and empowering more of the people of New Orleans.
Also, on this night City Council Member at Large, Helena Moreno, easily sailed to victory, as well as longtime Assessor Errol Williams and City Council District A incumbent Joe Giarrusso III, will serve another term.
A New Direction for the City Council
In a race that was expected to be a run-off City Council Member Kristin Gisleson Palmer lost what had become a contentious race against former State Senator J.P. Morrell for the Division 2 Councilmember At-Large seat. Morrell ran as a reformer and spoke of his record of service that includes his leading role in crafting the legislation that changed the controversial Jim Crow era non-unanimous jury law. Morrell won 50 percent victory by a narrow margin of 481 votes. This race illustrates the importance of voting, and how it can affect the results, determining who the City elected leaders will be. During this election, the unofficial turnout for this race was just 27.4 percent of eligible voters, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office.
Voting Matters
The run-off is on Dec. 11th with early voting is from November 27th thru December 4th, 2021. We are encouraging all to get out and vote. For in these crucial times for the City, low turnout is not an option. All voices need to be heard at the polls, and civic engagement is necessary to make the City the place it can be with opportunity, fairness, and equity for all regardless of their zip code.
We at Data News Weekly will continue our coverage of the election in upcoming editions. Giving you news that you can use to inform, educate, and inspire the citizens of New Orleans to have a hand in shaping the future of the City. Voting is one way that is possible.
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