The commission approved a city-led voter-education program to prepare residents for mail-ballot referendums scheduled next spring. City election staff outlined a process-only outreach plan focused on deadlines, how to fill a mail ballot correctly, and where to return it.

City clerk staff said ballots will be mailed by March 21, 2026, voter registration closes March 23, and ballots must be returned by April 21, 2026 at 7 p.m.; there will be no city drop boxes and ballots can only be mailed or returned to the supervisor of elections’ office. The clerk and the elections supervisor will produce a short educational video for distribution; the commission required bilingual (Spanish at minimum) materials and added Creole at a commissioner’s request.

Commissioners approved at least three bilingual mailers with a QR code linking to the elections supervisor video, a dedicated phone line staffed by city personnel to answer procedural questions about the mail-ballot process, CGTV spots and website resources explaining how to complete a ballot so it will not be rejected for technical deficiencies (missing ZIP code, missing signature, etc.). Mayor Vince Lago emphasized the focus should be process-only and neutral. Commissioner Lara asked that the outreach be clearly nonpartisan and not advocate for ballot outcomes.

What’s next: Communications and clerk staff will finalize and distribute materials in the lead-up to the ballot mail date and will report back on outreach metrics; the commission directed that mailers be bilingual and include clear dates and QR linking to the elections supervisor video.