Congressman Troy Carter told a gathering of almost 300 Orleans Parish poll commissioners that election workers like themselves are “the keepers of our democracy.” Carter made his remarks at an awards ceremony last week hosted by Clerk of Criminal District Court Darren P. Lombard who also serves as Chief Elections Officer for Orleans Parish.
“The role you play is a very significant one. If ever there was a time when we really, really needed to zero in on protecting the vote, it’s now,” said Carter to attendees. He believes efforts are underway to make it more difficult for people to vote by ignoring the U.S. Constitution and the hard-fought battles of the civil rights era. Carter says that the government instead should be making it easier for citizens to vote.
“Regardless of who you vote for, regardless of what (political) party you are a part of, regardless of what candidate you like, the constitution and democracy belong to every single person. Everyone has the right to vote for or support anyone they want to. That’s their choice. Your task is to make sure voters can efficiently and effectively get to that ballot box and cast their vote,” Carter continued.
The ceremony honored eight commissioners including 97-year old Hazel Cook Harris, the oldest commissioner; 18 year-old Linzy Bates, the youngest commissioner; Ray Heitmeier Jr., the longest serving commissioner-in-charge; Emelda Harness, the longest-serving commissioner; Lt. Col. Xio Tuo, an active member of the military (Coast Guard) who is also a commissioner; and the Franklin family from which three generations – Mattie Franklin, Stephanie Franklin and Brittany Brown – are current commissioners.
“Ensuring the sanctity and protection of elections does not occur just on Election Day but year round,” said Carter as he praised Lombard’s ability to successfully manage multiple elections dates each year. “My team and I work hard to ensure elections in Orleans Parish are always safe and secure,” Lombard explained.
Working closely with Lombard for the November 5 election are more than 1500 people including 1300 trained and certified poll commissioners, 40 members of Lombard’s office staff; officials from the Louisiana Secretary of State; the staff at the Voting Machine Warehouse where the machines are stored between elections; the drayage company which will move the 756 voting machines to the 349 precincts within the 118 polling locations; Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office (OPSO) deputies who guard the machines during transportation; custodians who lock and unlock the buildings where voting will take place; and the Registrar of Voters who supervises early voting and helps tabulate mail-in/absentee ballots.
“Everyone pulls together to make the elections go smoothly for the voting public. My office staff will also be answering the phones on Election Day. Call us at 504 658-9000. We’ll be available to assist voters and resolve any problems that might occur,” explained Lombard.
Though early voting is over, voting in person or by mail is still possible. “Our ancestors fought hard to earn the right to vote. It’s a right and a privilege we must always use to good advantage,” Lombard concluded.
