Governor John Bel Edwards wants to keep Louisiana voters safe while they exercise their right to vote during the November 3 election. Tuesday, August 18, Gov. Edwards signed an executive order declaring the COVID-19 pandemic is an emergency in the state and moved forward with plans to support the health and safety issues that could affect voting.

According to reports, the governor has issues with the election plans, or lack thereof, set forth by Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin. Edwards says Ardoin has made no COVID-19 safety provisions for the upcoming election. For now, the secretary of state does not intend to expand absentee mail-in voting options for people who are at high risk. Therefore, Edwards says he will not approve Ardoin’s plan, and the secretary cannot go around the governor, even if the Louisiana Legislature approves it.

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