The Caddo Commission was briefed at its meeting yesterday on a proposed ordinance to merge precincts consistent with the 2023 Caddo Parish Commission Districts by demographer Cecil Floyd.

The presentation was marred from the get- go:

1. Floyd presented a new precinct map WITHOUT providing copies to the Commissioners much less the general public or those in attendance. The new map was NOT provided to the Commission clerk in time to post on the Commission website.

2. Floyd was sloppy in his references to Caddo Parish Clerk Mike Spence, referring to him as "Mike", and to the Caddo Registrar of Voters Dale Sibley, referring to him as the "register."

3. The new precinct plan requires the coordination of Spence who was present and Sibley who was not present.

4. Spence said the new plan would be very helpful to his office with less requirements for poll worker and the number of voting machines. He also added the Oct. primary and Nov. general election could be handled by his office with the current precinct plan.

5. Sibley's office would be required to send letters to voters advising them of any changes in the precincts and voting. Without Sibley's comments there was substantial questions as to the magnitude of the task and the ability of his office to effectively complete this task. (It was obvious that the Commissioners has some skepticism after the many complaints about voting at the 2022 election.)

6. To further compound the situation, the proposed changes must be adopted by July 10 to satisfy the deadline set by the Louisiana Secretary of State who controls the elections. The next meeting of the Commission is July 7.

7. The proposed ordinance was presented at yesterday's work session, and it was approved to be placed on the July 7 agenda. However, like all ordinances, it is a two-reader, which means not action can be taken in the regular course of business until the meeting AFTER July 7.

8. The only exception to the two-read requirement to allow the passage of this ordinance at the July 7 meeting is to declare that it is a "public emergency" that allows passage with only one reading.

9. Parish attorney Donna Frazier advised the Commission that she did NOT believe a public emergency existed to justify passage of the ordinance on July 7. Frazier repeated her opinion after a commissioner raised the issue the second time.

10. Good government requires transparency and the opportunity for the public to examine proposed actions of elected bodies. The very idea of passing this ordinance next Thurs. is absurd for many reasons:

a. the lack of notice

b. today (Friday) is a "down day" for constructive work

c. Mon. is a holiday for many businesses and all local governmental bodies including the courts except the City of Shreveport

d. Tuesday is the Fourth of July

e. Wed, the day after the Fourth on Tues, will be for many a "recovery day."

f. MOST importantly, the parish attorney has opined that the vote on Thurs. is NOT justified as a "public emergency."

The proposed ordinance has merit for many reasons.

Reducing the number of election commissioners and the number of voting machines needed is a paramount factor.

Additionally, the changes should result in less voting times for citizens and confusion with several precincts in one location.

Like any major change, this ordinance needs vetting and time for public input. A delay in considering this change is entirely justified if not almost mandated.


John E. Settle Jr.