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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 11, 2026
New Orleans City Council Appoints Interim Orleans Clerk of Court, Calls Special Election
NEW ORLEANS, LA — The New Orleans City Council passed two resolutions today, the first to appoint the Honorable Calvin Johnson as interim Orleans Clerk of Court, and the second calling for a special election to fill the vacant Orleans Clerk of Court position.
Following the passage of Act 15 in the 2026 Regular Session, the offices of Clerk of Civil District Court and Clerk of Criminal District Court have been consolidated into one office, the Orleans Parish Clerk of Court. At the advice of the City Attorney and the Executive Counsel for the New Orleans Council, the Council affirms that this interim appointment and subsequent election is the best path forward that upholds the sanctity and will of Orleans Parish voters.
The resolution that passed today will preserve the ability of the voters of Orleans Parish to elect a Clerk of their choosing in the special election to be held on November 3, 2026. Qualifying dates for the election are between July 29 and July 31, 2026.
In the meantime, the Honorable Calvin Johnson will serve as the interim Orleans Clerk of Court. Judge Johnson has practiced law for 48 years and served for nearly two decades as judge in Orleans Parish Criminal Court, later as Chief Judge, before retiring.
Press inquiries should be directed to CouncilCommunications@nola.gov. Legal inquiries should be directed to the City Council Executive Counsel, Ashley Becnel, at ajbecnel@nola.gov.
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Contact:
CouncilCommunications@nola.gov
504.658.1117
 New Orleans City Council
The New Orleans City Council is the legislative branch of the New Orleans city government. The Council considers and enacts all local laws that govern the City of New Orleans. The Council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City, as recommended by the mayor, and continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The City Council is also the regulatory body for public utilities. It also reviews and has the final say on many land use and zoning matters, as well as considers major economic development projects for the City. As a Board of Review for Orleans Parish, the Council examines appeals of property tax assessments for real estate taxes and certifies tax rolls to the Louisiana Tax Commission. Other responsibilities of the Council include overseeing the operation of the public access television in Orleans Parish. Streaming video and video archives of the City Council's Regular and Committee meetings can be found on the City Council website.
The City Council is comprised of five districts and Councilmembers-at-large: Council President and Councilmember-at-Large JP Morrell; Council Vice President and Councilmember-At-Large Matthew Willard; District "A" Councilmember Aimee McCarron; District "B" Councilmember Lesli D. Harris; District "C" Councilmember Freddie King III; District "D" Councilmember Eugene J. Green, Jr.; and District "E" Councilmember Jason Hughes.
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