(The Center Square) — A new item of business concerning early voting sites caused tension among Caddo Parish commissioners during this week’s work session.
While the agenda item was seeking a vote on Monday to advance to Thursday’s regular session, commissioners discussed an item in length regarding authorizing the Caddo Parish administrator, Erica Bryant, to pursue implementing early voting sites in west Caddo and north Caddo through the Secretary of State’s office for the 2026 election cycle.
Many were confused regarding the language of the item and wondered why only one site was approved.
“This came out of the public safety committee. It’s my understanding that the secretary of state and whoever the parties are in Baton Rouge had authorized an additional early voting site for west Caddo,” said Vice President Ken Epperson. “However, we had put in a resolution to authorize early voting sites for west Caddo as well as north Caddo. Therefore, they approved the north Caddo.”
The item sought to implement both early voting locations at the same time in 2026 after both received approval, but many commissioners raised questions about splitting the item. Several commissioners suggested moving forward with the approved north Caddo site while also continuing to pursue approval for the west Caddo site.
Commissioner John Atkins was among the first to bring his concerns forward.
He expressed worries about sending something to the state that may disrupt the approved north Caddo site.
Commissioner Chris Kracman also questioned the two sites being “tethered together” in the item, despite the north Caddo site being approved. According to him, residents of north Caddo have to travel far to get to an early voting site.
“Even though we don’t agree about every single partisan issue, we do all agree that we need to make it easy for people to vote, no matter which way they vote,” said Commissioner John-Paul Young.
Commissioner Victor Thomas put on record that they are not against giving citizens access to early voting locations.
Further discussion on the agenda item caused tension and prompted requests for explanation from the Secretary of State on clarification about the west Caddo site not getting approved.
Kracman, Atkins and others feel the commission should move forward with the north Caddo site since it’s been approved. Others disagreed and felt they should move forward with both sites together.
Bryant said the money for the two sites has already been appropriated.
