Alexandria, La. (12/17/2025) — The Alexandria City Council failed to override Mayor Jacques Roy’s recent veto on redistricting.
On Dec. 10, Mayor Roy vetoed a council vote that aimed to revert district maps to a 2022 version.
As a result, the council revisited the issue during its Dec. 16 meeting.
Councilman Jules Green introduced the motion to override the veto. Councilman Malcolm Larvadain seconded the motion.
After a lengthy discussion, the council proceeded to a vote.
However, the motion failed to reach the two-thirds majority required to overturn the veto.
Council President Cynthia Perry, Vice President Gary Johnson, Jules Green, and Malcolm Larvadain voted to override.
Meanwhile, Councilman Chuck Fowler, Councilman Jim Villard, and Councilwoman Lizzie Felter voted to support the mayor’s veto.
Notably, Fowler and Villard previously supported the original 2020 district lines.
As a result, Mayor Roy’s veto remains in effect, and the current district maps stand.
However, critics noted the council largely ignored the city’s most urgent issue during the discussion.
Violent crime and general public safety remain the number one concern for many Alexandria residents.
Yet, council members made no mention of recent homicides across the city.
Additionally, the discussion failed to acknowledge children injured by gunfire in separate incidents.
In one case, a stray bullet struck a child during a street conflict involving multiple individuals.
In another incident, children were playing when one gained access to a firearm, resulting in injury.
Despite these events, public safety received little attention during the meeting.
Therefore, many residents continue to question the council’s priorities.
If this issue matters to you and your neighborhood, civic participation remains essential.
When voter turnout is low, individual votes carry greater influence.
This October, decide instead of being decided for.
To register to vote in Louisiana, visit www.geauxvote.com
