Louisiana Republicans Abolish Elected Clerk Post, Sparking Controversy

0:00It's May 2nd. This is Global News Today, AI-powered stories shaping the world. I'm Cory with the story. Louisiana Republicans just wiped out an elected clerk position in Orleans Parish right before Calvin Duncan, an exonerated man who crushed the. Election was about to step in. The 63-year-old Democrat won over two-thirds of the vote in November for the New Orleans criminal court clerk job set to start next Monday. The Governor Jeff Landry signed the bill into law last Thursday, killing the spot entirely. This move foals the criminal clerk role into the existing civil one, matching what every other parish in the state already does. Republicans call it a smart consolidation to boost efficiency and trim costs, part of bigger changes shaking up New Orleans courts during this legislative session. Democrats are firing back hard, labeling it straight up government overreach that stops on a mostly black parish's clear choice at the polls. Duncan, who did nearly 30 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit, his murder conviction

1:02got tossed in 2021, says at Echos. Attacks on black officials, back in reconstruction days, he's bowed to fight for the voters. Supporters claim top Republicans are gunning for him specifically, even though his names on the national registry of exonerations. Some makers like Democratic rep Mandy Landry called the push atrocious during hearings, warning it could hit other elected spots. The bill's author admitted it's tough on Duncan, but insisted policy ain't built for one person. Duncan already filed in federal court to take office on schedule, and backers held a big ceremonial swearing in with hundreds showing up. This whole saga's got folks questioning if votes really matter, especially in places where turnout's low could spark more people hitting the polls, or just deep in the distrust.