The New Orleans City Council took two major steps Monday in the ongoing dispute over the future of the Orleans Parish Clerk of Court’s office.
What happened
Council members passed two resolutions:
- Appointing Honorable Calvin Johnson (retired) as interim Orleans Parish clerk of court
- Calling a special election to fill the vacant position permanently
Why it matters
The move comes as a legal battle continues over Act 15, a law passed during the 2026 Regular Session that merged the offices of the Clerk of Civil District Court and Clerk of Criminal District Court into a single office: the Orleans Parish Clerk of Court.
Latest court development
The Louisiana Supreme Court has agreed to temporarily pause a lower court ruling in Crockett v. State of Louisiana.
That stay:
- pauses a preliminary injunction issued by the 19th Judicial District Court
- stops further lower court proceedings for now
- keeps the current office structure in place while the Supreme Court reviews the case
The lower court had previously blocked the state from physically combining the two clerk offices.
Council’s position
Council members said they acted based on guidance from the city attorney and the New Orleans City Council’s executive counsel.
They argued that appointing an interim clerk and setting a special election is the clearest way to protect the will of Orleans Parish voters while the legal questions are sorted out.
Election timeline
- Special election: Nov. 3, 2026
- Qualifying period: July 29 to July 31, 2026
Who is the interim clerk?
Calvin Johnson will serve in the role until the election.
Johnson brings decades of legal experience:
- 48 years practicing law
- nearly 20 years as a judge in Orleans Parish Criminal Court
- later served as chief judge before retiring
- has no interest in permanently filling the position
Attorney General weighs in
Attorney General Liz Murrill sent a letter on May 8 to Council Chairman J.P. Morrell, council members, and Mayor Helena Moreno addressing the dispute.
Murrill said Act 15 transferred the criminal clerk’s duties to the civil clerk’s office and renamed that office. She said the state is pushing for a fast decision from the Louisiana Supreme Court.
Murrill said, “This matter needs to be resolved quickly, and that’s what we are asking the Louisiana Supreme Court to do.”
She also warned that asking the City Council to appoint an interim clerk could create confusion while the case is still under review.
Bottom line
For now, Calvin Johnson will serve as interim clerk, and voters are set to decide the office’s future in November 2026, unless the courts intervene first.
READ MORE:New Orleans City Council appoints interim Orleans clerk, calls special election
