Alexandria Council Divided in Redistricting Fight After Veto Fails

ALEXANDRIA, La. (KALB) -
The Alexandria City Council failed to override Mayor Jacques Roy’s veto of an ordinance that would have reverted the city to 2022 district maps, following a heated debate at a meeting on December 16.

The council voted 4-3 to override the veto, falling one vote short of the required two-thirds majority. Councilmen Malcom Larvadain, Jules Green, Gary Johnson, and Cynthia Perry voted yes. Councilmen Jim Villard, Chuck Fowler, and Lizzie Felter voted no. The result means the 2024 redistricting maps remain in place.

Councilmembers clash over fairness and representation

Councilman Jules Green led the push to overturn Roy’s veto, arguing the 2022 maps had unanimous council approval and resident support.

“We’re simply going back to what the entire city agreed to,” Green said.

Green contended that the 2022 maps were designed to evenly balance the city with 9,055 residents in each of Alexandria’s five council districts.

Resident Shicola Jones criticized the 2024 redistricting process, saying it ignored public input.

“You did what you wanted to do for your own benefit. And I think this is some of the most prejudiced and racial things I have ever seen go on right here,” Jones said.

District 4 councilwoman defends 2024 maps

District Four Councilwoman Lizzie Felter, who pushed for the 2024 maps, defended her actions.

“That’s what I sought to do. There’s a lot of chatter. There’s a lot of noise. There’s a lot of comments that are not true,” Felter said.

Felter said her constituents prefer the 2024 maps and noted there has already been an election under the new boundaries.

“Everyone talks about supporting their districts. That’s exactly what I’m doing here. Giving my district the opportunity to...decide whether they’re going to re-elect the incumbent or not. That should be their choice. An incumbent should not be written out of their district,” Felter said.

Rapides Parish Police Juror Jay Scott confronted Felter during the meeting, saying he never sees her in the district they share as elected officials.

“We’re going to make sure that we put you out [of] that seat,” Scott said.

District 2 councilman raises concerns

District Two Councilman Gary Johnson pushed back against Felter’s redistricting efforts.

“You did your homework and you talked to your people, but you didn’t talk to my people. Which you took from my people because your home was moved out of your district,” Johnson said.

Johnson said his main concern was that residents did not know who their representatives were after the 2024 redistricting.

Population decline concerns

Councilman Malcolm Larvadain said his main concern is Alexandria’s declining population. According to census data, Alexandria saw a decline between 2020 and 2024, with projections showing the population will continue to decline by 2030.

“In four more years, we could easily have the same situation where the lines need to go one place and politics are going to play and go in another place. So, as a council, as a city, we need to make some serious decisions when they come together for the betterment of the citizens,” Larvadain said.

Council President addresses mayor’s late arrival

Council President Perry introduced the ordinance to revert to the 2022 maps in October, saying she was responding to public concerns.

“I didn’t do it for division among my colleagues. I didn’t do it to please the mayor. I did it because the citizens had spoken at the previous meeting saying what they wanted, and so all I did was revisit it to give the citizens what they wanted,” Perry said.

Perry addressed the city administration and Roy, who was not present during the redistricting discussion but arrived about 40 minutes after the meeting started.

“When we ask for things, we would like them done in a timely manner. We would like to get a response when we email, or we call, or we text. Just respond, just respond if it’s no more than say, I’ll get back with you,” Perry said.

She ended with a pointed message directed at the mayor, quoting scripture: “As for a person who stirs up division after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him.”

Roy declined to comment on the meeting’s discussion and stands by his veto message, attached below.