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<blockquote>"oversaw probably the cleanest [[mayor]]'s election in modern times in New Orleans' long, fabled history. ... He mowed down the political establishment on both sides of the aisle, which tried in vain to manipulate the election process in the Crescent City for its own selfish reasons. Yes, Ater stood out as a leader with a backbone among a host of local and state officials, who, quite frankly, have appeared spineless throughout the catastrophe caused by Katrina."<ref name=hanna>{{cite web|url=http://www.ouachitacitizen.com/news.php?id=153|title=What’s Big Al to do next?", July 20, 2006|publisher=ouachitacitizen.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref></blockquote>  

<blockquote>"oversaw probably the cleanest [[mayor]]'s election in modern times in New Orleans' long, fabled history. ... He mowed down the political establishment on both sides of the aisle, which tried in vain to manipulate the election process in the Crescent City for its own selfish reasons. Yes, Ater stood out as a leader with a backbone among a host of local and state officials, who, quite frankly, have appeared spineless throughout the catastrophe caused by Katrina."<ref name=hanna>{{cite web|url=http://www.ouachitacitizen.com/news.php?id=153|title=What’s Big Al to do next?", July 20, 2006|publisher=ouachitacitizen.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref></blockquote>  

Former Secretary of State [[James H. "Jim" Brown]], also a Ferriday native, said that he believed the elections could have been held on February 4 and that the delays sought by Ater were unnecessary. Brown said polling locations could be moved as needed and that voting machines could be located elsewhere as required.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4200/is_20051221/ai_n15943587/|title=Former La. Secretary of State Jim Brown scoffs at Al Ater's|publisher=findarticles.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009 | year=2005}}</ref>​

Former Secretary of State [[James H. "Jim" Brown]], also a Ferriday native, said that he believed the elections could have been held on February 4 and that the delays sought by Ater were unnecessary. Brown said polling locations could be moved as needed and that voting machines could be located elsewhere as required.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4200/is_20051221/ai_n15943587/|title=Former La. Secretary of State Jim Brown scoffs at Al Ater's|publisher=findarticles.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref>​

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As secretary of state, Ater questioned a provision of Louisiana law which had required a voter who registered by mail to cast his ballot in person at least once before he could file an [[absentee ballot]]. "I could see the headlines across America right now, They'll say it's another thing that Louisiana can't handle on its own," Ater said.<ref name=katrina>{{cite web|url=http://katrinacoverage.com/2006/02/06/al-ater-courts-may-take-over-election-if-law-unchanged.html|title=Al Ater: Courts may take over election if law unchanged|publisher=Katrinacoverage.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref> The law had been intended to protect against voter fraud, but Ater said the hurricane had temporarily changed the dynamics of voting.<ref name=katrina/>​

As secretary of state, Ater questioned a provision of Louisiana law which had required a voter who registered by mail to cast his ballot in person at least once before he could file an [[absentee ballot]]. "I could see the headlines across America right now, They'll say it's another thing that Louisiana can't handle on its own," Ater said.<ref name=katrina>{{cite web|url=http://katrinacoverage.com/2006/02/06/al-ater-courts-may-take-over-election-if-law-unchanged.html|title=Al Ater: Courts may take over election if law unchanged|publisher=Katrinacoverage.com|accessdate=December 23, 2009}}</ref> The law had been intended to protect against voter fraud, but Ater said the hurricane had temporarily changed the dynamics of voting.<ref name=katrina/>​