Changes

On November 6, 2018, in the  in nonpartisan blanket primary to fill the remainder of Schedler's term through January 13, 2020, Ardoin received 298,652 votes (20 percent), barely leading the field but advancing to the runoff contest in which he faced [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Gwen Collins-Greenup, an [[African-American]], who finished with 289,070 votes (also 20 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 6, 2018.</ref> In the runoff, held a month later on December 8, Ardoin defeated Collins-Greenup, 306,538 (59 percent) to 210,080 (41 percent), in a turnout of just 17.2 percent of registered voters.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, December 8, 2018.</ref>   

On November 6, 2018, in the  in nonpartisan blanket primary to fill the remainder of Schedler's term through January 13, 2020, Ardoin received 298,652 votes (20 percent), barely leading the field but advancing to the runoff contest in which he faced [[Democratic Party|Democrat]] Gwen Collins-Greenup, an [[African-American]], who finished with 289,070 votes (also 20 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 6, 2018.</ref> In the runoff, held a month later on December 8, Ardoin defeated Collins-Greenup, 306,538 (59 percent) to 210,080 (41 percent), in a turnout of just 17.2 percent of registered voters.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, December 8, 2018.</ref>   

In July 2019, Ardoin hired outgoing state Representative Nancy Landry of [[Lafayette]] to become his chief of staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/get-access/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenewsstar.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2019%2F07%2F17%2Fstate-rep-nancy-landry-resigns-work-secretary-state%2F1756621001%2F|title=State Rep. Nancy Landry resigns to work for Secretary of State|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=July 18, 2019}}</ref>

In July 2019, Ardoin hired outgoing state Representative Nancy Landry, a [[Moderate Republican]] from [[Lafayette]] to become his chief of staff.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thenewsstar.com/get-access/?return=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thenewsstar.com%2Fstory%2Fnews%2F2019%2F07%2F17%2Fstate-rep-nancy-landry-resigns-work-secretary-state%2F1756621001%2F|title=State Rep. Nancy Landry resigns to work for Secretary of State|publisher=''The Monroe News-Star''|date=July 18, 2019}}</ref>

In the primary election for a full term as secretary of state held on October 12, 2019, Ardoin led a four-candidate field with 528,246 (41 percent). Two other Republicans, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, and Amanda "Jennings" Smith, held, respectively, another 244,139 votes (19 percent) and 78,903 (6 percent). Therefore, Ardoin faced his former opponent Gwen Collins-Greenup, who received 434,580 votes (34 percent) in the primary. Nearly two-thirds of primary voters cast ballots for the three Republican candidates. Turnout in the contest was 43.4 percent of registered voters.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.</ref> In his advertising in the primary, Ardoin stressed his support to maintain election integrity.<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]], October 11, 2019.</ref> With 99 percent of returns tabulated, Ardoin defeated Collins-Greenup, 867,449 to 601,102 votes, again a 59-41 percent split, even as Republican gubernatorial candidate [[Eddie Rispone]] was defeated by incumbent Democrat [[John Bel Edwards]].

In the primary election for a full term as secretary of state held on October 12, 2019, Ardoin led a four-candidate field with 528,246 (41 percent). Two other Republicans, Thomas J. Kennedy, III, and Amanda "Jennings" Smith, held, respectively, another 244,139 votes (19 percent) and 78,903 (6 percent). Therefore, Ardoin faced his former opponent Gwen Collins-Greenup, who received 434,580 votes (34 percent) in the primary. Nearly two-thirds of primary voters cast ballots for the three Republican candidates. Turnout in the contest was 43.4 percent of registered voters.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 12, 2019.</ref> In his advertising in the primary, Ardoin stressed his support to maintain election integrity.<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]], October 11, 2019.</ref> With 99 percent of returns tabulated, Ardoin defeated Collins-Greenup, 867,449 to 601,102 votes, again a 59-41 percent split, even as Republican gubernatorial candidate [[Eddie Rispone]] was defeated by incumbent Democrat [[John Bel Edwards]].

In 2007, Ardoin fell short in a race for House District 68 to succeed the Democrat-turned-Republican incumbent William Daniel, a petroleum engineer. Ardoin led the  legislative vote with 5,531 ballots (41 percent) to fellow Republican [[Steve Carter (Louisiana politician)|Steve Carter]]'s 5,242 votes (38.9 percent). The remaining  2,705 votes (20 percent) were received by Jay Lyles.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 20, 2007.</ref> In the second balloting on November 17, which had a lower turnout because of the lack of a gubernatorial contest, Carter prevailed by 87 votes, 4,967 (50.4 percent) to Ardoin's 4,880 (49.6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 17, 2007.</ref>​

In 2007, Ardoin fell short in a race for House District 68 to succeed the Democrat-turned-Republican incumbent William Daniel, a petroleum engineer. Ardoin led the  legislative vote with 5,531 ballots (41 percent) to fellow Republican [[Steve Carter (Louisiana politician)|Steve Carter]]'s 5,242 votes (38.9 percent). The remaining  2,705 votes (20 percent) were received by Jay Lyles.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, October 20, 2007.</ref> In the second balloting on November 17, which had a lower turnout because of the lack of a gubernatorial contest, Carter prevailed by 87 votes, 4,967 (50.4 percent) to Ardoin's 4,880 (49.6 percent).<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, Election Returns, November 17, 2007.</ref>​

In April 2020, Ardoin proposed the expansion of mail-in ballots for the presidential primaries and local elections set for July in light of the [[coronavirus]] pandemic, which particularly impacted New Orleans. The move was denounced by conservatives, such as the [[radio]] talk show host [[Moon Griffon]], who contend that the lack of safeguards regarding voter identification will produce fraudulent elections. The plan appears to have the support of the twenty-three [[Louisiana Republican Fraud Squad|Fraud Squad]] members who usually support Democratic Governor [[John  Bel Edwards]]. Griffon noted that Ardoin and others considered "conservative" sat on the platform for [[U.S. President]] [[Donald Trump]] when Trump came twice in 2019 to campaign for the failed GOP gubernatorial candidate [[Eddie Rispone]] and then propose bills weakening voter identification rules that the President opposes.<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]],'' April 22, 2020.</ref>

In April 2020, Ardoin proposed the expansion of mail-in ballots for the presidential primaries and local elections set for July in light of the [[coronavirus]] pandemic, which particularly impacted New Orleans. The move was denounced by conservatives, such as the [[radio]] talk show host [[Moon Griffon]], who contend that the lack of safeguards regarding voter identification will lead to fraudulent elections. The plan appears to have the support of the twenty-three [[Louisiana Republican Fraud Squad|Republican Fraud Squad]] members who usually support Governor Edwards. Griffon said that Ardoin and others considered "conservative" sat on the platform for [[U.S. President]] [[Donald Trump]] when Trump came twice in 2019 to campaign for the failed GOP gubernatorial candidate Eddie Rispone and then propose bills weakening voter identification rules that the President opposes.<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]],'' April 22, 2020.</ref>

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