PUBLIC NOTICE - - - STATE OF LOUISIANA EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR PROCLAMATION NUMBER 80 JML 2025 SPECIAL ELECTION AND STATE OF EMERGENCY – ASSOCIATE JUSTICE, 1ST SUPREME COURT DISTRICT OF LOUISIANA, PARISHES OF LIVINGSTON, ORLEANS, ST. BERNARD, ST. TAMMANY, TANGIPAHOA, AND WASHINGTON WHEREAS, a vacancy exists in the office of Associate Justice, 1st Supreme Court District of Louisiana, Parishes of Livingston, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington, due to the resignation of the Honorable Will Crain, effective December 22, 2025; WHEREAS, Const. Art. V, § 22 and R.S. 18:621 require the Governor to call a special election to fill the vacancy in an existing judgeship when more than twelve (12) months of the term remain unexpired, in accordance with the provisions of Const. Art. V, § 22 and R.S. 18:621 and/or the dates for elections set forth in R.S. 18:402; WHEREAS, the Secretary of State has certified an election emergency exists pursuant to La. R.S. 18:401.1(H) because this vacancy is in a closed party primary office and that “a vacancy in a party primary office that may not be filled…in accordance with the timeframes required by law shall constitute an emergency.” NOW THEREFORE, I, JEFF LANDRY, Governor of the State of Louisiana, by virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution and laws of the State of Louisiana, do hereby order and direct as follows: Section 1: A state of emergency is proclaimed to fill this vacancy, in accordance with La. R.S. 18:401.1(H). Section 2: A special primary and general election for the unexpired term shall be held throughout the jurisdiction of Associate Justice, 1st Supreme Court District of Louisiana, Parishes of Livingston, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington, for the purpose of electing an associate justice to fill the vacancy in the office. Section 3: The special election shall be held and conducted under the applicable provisions of the Louisiana Election Code, La. R.S. 18:1 et seq. Section 4: The qualifying period shall be during the period commencing Wednesday, February 11, 2026 and ending Friday, February 13, 2026. Section 5: The first party primary election shall be held Saturday, May 16, 2026. Early voting for the first party primary election shall begin on May 2, 2026 and end on May 9, 2026, at the times and places and in the manner prescribed by law. Section 6: The second party primary election, if necessary, shall be held Saturday, June 27, 2026. Early voting for the second party primary election shall begin on June 13, 2026 and end on June 20, 2026, at the times and places and in the manner prescribed by law. Section 7: The general election shall be on November 3, 2026 at the times and places and in the manner prescribed by law. Early voting for the general election shall begin on October 20, 2026 and end on October 27, 2026, at the times and places and in the manner prescribed by law. Section 8 : Due to the state of the emergency, and in accordance with R.S. 18:401.1(H), for the purpose of qualifying for the general election pursuant to R.S. 18:410.8, the provisions of La. R.S. 18:465(C)(3)(a) setting forth the number of required signatures for a Louisiana Supreme Court justice at one thousand from within the district is suspended, and for purposes of this special election, it is ordered that the number of required signatures for Associate Justice, 1st Supreme Court District of Louisiana, is one hundred fifty voters from within the district. The deadline to submit signatures on such a nominating petition is January 30, 2026. Section 9: The Secretary of State, Commissioner of Elections, Parish Board of Election Supervisors, Clerk of Court, Registrar of Voters, and all other persons charged with any power, function, right, duty or responsibility in conducting elections in the jurisdiction of Associate Justice, 1st Supreme Court District of Louisiana, Parishes of Livingston, Orleans, St. Bernard, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, and Washington, are hereby authorized, requested, directed and empowered to exercise every lawful function and to do every act necessary to conduct the special election, to cause the returns to be made, to canvass and promulgate the results, and to perform all related and incidental functions. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have set my hand officially and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Louisiana in the City of Baton Rouge on this 23rd day of December, 2025. Jeff Landry GOVERNOR OF LOUISIANA ATTEST BY THE SECRETARY OF STATE Nancy Landry SECRETARY OF STATE 172178-dec 30-1t $61.22