Will New Orleans voters approve of giving the City Council veto power over mayoral appointments? We’ll find out in November.
A majority of the Council backs it, but the Mayor staunchly opposes the move. With half a year before the vote UNO pollster, Ed Chervenak told WWL that both sides will have to win the messaging war with voters.
Chervenak said charter change supporters will have to pitch this as a good government reform.
“So that they can review these candidates for any conflicts of interest, things of that nature,” said Chervenak.
They’re up against a mayor who just won reelection with over 60% of the vote, in a city where mayors are historically powerful and popular.
“The mayor probably wants to define it as an exercise by City Council to intrude on her powers,” said Chervenak.
The issue will be on the November midterm ballot. Turnout in the 2018 midterms was around 50%, far higher than the 29% in the 2021 November election that saw Cantrell cruise to reelection.
With little to no recent polling on the popularity of the mayor or the council, Chervenak said it’s tough to know which side is more popular with voters right now.
