Early voting for the New Orleans Mayoral Election runs from September 27 through October 4 (excluding Sunday, September 28) from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. You can find early voting locations here.
This election is our chance to shape the future of our city — and health care access is at the heart of it. CARE Louisiana reached out to all mayoral candidates with a detailed survey on health care priorities, from coverage and maternal health to food security and crisis response.
Three candidates responded — Royce Duplessis, Oliver Thomas, and Richard “Ricky” Twiggs Jr. — and each shared their vision for ensuring New Orleanians can access the care they need.
Royce Duplessis
Website: royceduplessis.com
“As Mayor, I will work closely with the Louisiana Department of Health to ensure New Orleanians do not lose coverage due to red tape or bureaucratic barriers. I will partner with hospitals, clinics, and mental health providers to expand access to care, while advocating at the state and federal levels to protect Medicaid funding.”
Oliver Thomas
Website: otforus.com
“Access to health care, especially for our most vulnerable neighbors, is non-negotiable. I will make mental health care a cornerstone of public safety and community well-being. We’ll align city resources with state and federal programs so no one falls through the cracks.”
Richard Twiggs Jr.
Website: twiggsformayor.com
“By honoring the history of Charity Hospital and pairing it with innovation, New Orleans can once again lead the way in health justice. We can protect Medicaid coverage, rebuild our behavioral health infrastructure, and create a mobile outreach network that brings services directly into neighborhoods.”
Survey Topics Covered
The CARE Coalition’s survey asked candidates about:
- Health care access and coverage
- Food security and nutrition
- Maternal and infant health
- Sexual and reproductive health
- Mental health and substance use care
- Injury prevention
- Tobacco p˙revention and control
- Infectious disease response
Public health touches everything that shapes our city — from infrastructure and power planning to safety and opportunity — and we want to know how our mayoral candidates will make health and well-being a priority for every neighborhood.
Thank you to the candidates who took the time and CARE to answer our questions.
And because we CARE, we share. Please take a moment to review the candidates’ answers before you make your plan to vote early — and don’t forget to encourage your family, friends, and neighbors to do the same.
A little CARE goes a long way — especially to the ballot box.
For more on early voting dates, times, and locations, visit: Louisiana Secretary of State – Early Voting Information