Friends:
I hope that you and your family continue to be safe and healthy. We are working hard here in Louisiana to ensure that our residents make it through this crisis. But, there are a few issues of deep concern that I'd like to tell you about, and ask for your support.
We hope that a plan will be approved this week to ensure the safety of all voters in the
July election
. The
tentative plan
would expand early voting from one to two weeks, and would allow voters who are concerned about COVID exposure to
vote by mail
. This appears to be a workable solution for the July election. However, it is critical that the legislature also passes
HB 419
, which I filed in February in collaboration with the
Power Coalition
, that would allow any voter who chooses to vote by mail in any election. You can find out more information on how to support this bill at
Louisiana Vote by Mail
, or watch this
brief interview
I did last month at the Capitol on expanded vote by mail. You can also sign the petition in support of no-excuse vote by mail
here
. We hope to have hearings on HB 419 when the legislative session begins again.
Sadly, Louisiana officials
continue to harass people
who seek necessary health care during this crisis, including abortion care. Louisiana has one of the
highest maternal mortality rates
in the country - a rate that is four times as high for black women. Given the complications that Louisiana women face during and after pregnancy, the need for safe, accessible abortion care for those who want it is absolutely critical. As Lift Louisiana notes, "
Increased stress will increase the number of high risk pregnancies, and the growing strain on our healthcare system may limit the availability of healthcare providers to care for pregnant patients
."
I am proud of my friends at
Lift Louisiana
and my former colleague, Ellie Schilling, who
filed suit today
to ensure that pregnant people in Louisiana can access their human and constitutional right to health care. Abortion is essential healthcare. Sign the petition to support YOUR right to bodily autonomy
here
.
Thank you everyone for your support for the people of Louisiana.
Be well,
Mandie
