The city of New Orleans could be gearing up for a special election to determine who will fill the clerk of court position, after Calvin Duncan, clerk-elect for criminal district court, was blocked from taking office.
This special election, along with another item, will be considered Monday afternoon in a city council special meeting.
The other item on the agenda is to consider appointing an interim Orleans clerk of court.
With the advice from the executive counsel, the city attorney, and consultation with the Moreno administration, city council said council intervention is “warranted to uphold the sanctity of the people’s votes and create a path for the people’s voice on the newly created office of Orleans Parish clerk of court in the wake of the passage of Act 15 of the 2026 Regular Session.
Duncan, who won the criminal clerk position by a 68% vote, said he’s in support of the special election and will prepare for another race if needed.
“By calling a special election, the city council is both following the law and standing up for the people of New Orleans. We have the right to govern ourselves and elect our clerk, whether for Criminal Court, Civil Court, or the two combined,” Duncan said, “I will keep fighting in court to resume the office I was already elected to. And if I need to run again, I will — to fulfill my promise to voters, to protect the integrity of our elections, and to make sure what happened to me never happens to anyone else.”
After introducing both items, the council will take public testimony for 20 minutes, give brief comments, and take a vote.
Both the current clerk of court and city council have reserved comment until after the meeting. According to city council, items being voted on may result in litigation.
