EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 98-44

EXECUTIVE ORDER MJF 98-44

Suspension of Absentee Voting in Person in Plaquemines Parish

WHEREAS, "in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to qualify or exercise their right to vote, to minimize to whatever degree possible a person's exposure to danger during declared states of emergency, and to protect the integrity of the electoral process," the Louisiana Legislature enacted R.S. 18:401.1 to provide "a procedure for the emergency suspension or delay and rescheduling of qualifying, absentee voting in person, and elections"; and

WHEREAS, on September 29, 1998, pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 18:401.1(B), the secretary of state, in conjunction with the commissioner of elections and registration, certified to the governor that as a result of Hurricane Georges, a state of emergency exists in parish of Plaquemines and they recommend absentee voting in person in that parish be suspended until such time as the absentee voting in person may be resumed;

NOW THEREFORE, I, M.J. "MIKE" FOSTER, JR., Governor of the state of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the state of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows:

SECTION 1: Under the authority of R.S. 18:401.1(B) and based on the September 29, 1998, certification of the secretary of state, in conjunction with the commissioner of elections and registration, that a state of emergency exists in the parish of Plaquemines, and the recommendation that absentee voting in person in that parish be suspended, absentee voting in person in the parish of Plaquemines is hereby suspended.

SECTION 2: In accordance with the procedures set forth in R.S. 18:401.1, absentee voting in person in the parish of Plaquemines shall resume on Wednesday, September 30, 1998 commencing at 1:00 p.m. and concluding at 5:00 p.m. Absentee voting will be conducted at the Registrar of Voter's Office in the Plaquemines Parish Governmental Building in Port Sulphur, the Pointe-a-la-Hache Courthouse and the Belle Chasse Public Library.

SECTION 3: This Order is effective upon signature.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the state of Louisiana, at the Capitol, in the city of Baton Rouge, on this 29th day of September, 1998.

M.J. "Mike" Foster
Governor

ATTEST BY
THE GOVERNOR
Fox McKeithen
Secretary of State