Louisiana Republicans eliminate elected position days before an exoneree was set to take office
Louisiana Republicans eliminated the elected position of Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court just days before Calvin Duncan, an exoneree who won the seat overwhelmingly, was set to take office. Governor Jeff Landry signed legislation consolidating the criminal and civil court clerk roles, a move Republicans say improves efficiency but Democrats call government overreach. Duncan, who spent nearly 30 years in prison for a crime he did not commit, has filed a request to assume office as scheduled and is expected to challenge the law in court.
- ▪Calvin Duncan, an exoneree, won the Orleans Parish criminal court clerk election in November with over two-thirds of the vote.
- ▪The position Duncan was set to assume was abolished by legislation signed by Republican Governor Jeff Landry days before the scheduled start of the term.
- ▪Republicans argue the elimination consolidates court offices for efficiency, while Democrats claim it undermines voter choice in a predominantly Black parish.
- ▪The legislative auditor estimated the consolidation saves the state $27,000 and the city $233,000, though long-term costs are unknown.
- ▪The bill’s author, Sen. Jay Morris, acknowledged expected legal challenges but maintained the law is constitutional.
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ABC NewsLiveVideoShowsGood Morning AmericaShopGMAInterest Successfully AddedWe'll notify you here with news aboutTurn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? OffOnStream onLouisiana Republicans eliminate elected position days before an exoneree was set to take officeLouisiana Republicans have eliminated the office an exoneree was set to take after being overwhelmingly elected to the New Orleans-based seatBySARA CLINE Associated Press and JACK BROOK Associated PressMay 1, 2026, 4:28 PM1:55FILE - Calvin Duncan, center, stands with supporters on the steps of Orleans Parish Criminal Court in New Orleans, on Oct. 2, 2025, to speak about his ambitions to be the next clerk of court.
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