Louisiana’s legislature blocks efforts to allow more absentee ballots amid coronavirus pandemic
While under the state’s stay-at-home orders, Louisiana lawmakers voted by mail against the state’s voters’ ability to vote by mail in upcoming elections.
Republicans in the state’s legislature objected to a plan that would allow absentee ballots for people who fear being exposed to the coronavirus, claiming that mail-in voting is ripe for voter fraud — despite voting for the legislation by mail.
Voter fraud claims follow statements from other Republican leaders and Donald Trump, who has repeatedly and falsely claimed that mail-in ballots “substantially” increase the risk of voter fraud, saying that voters “cheat” and that the process is “dangerous”.
He also has claimed that “thousands and thousands of people sitting in somebody’s living room” are “signing ballots all over the place” — despite no evidence supporting his conspiracy.
Louisiana’s initial plan, drafted by Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, would allow mail-in ballots to people who are wary of appearing in public during the pandemic, as well as people age 60 and older, people impacted by a stay-at-home order, and people caring for a child or grandchild whose school or child care has closed.
