Qualifying Opens Tuesday Morning

Qualifying for the October 14 Gubernatorial Primary Election will be held from Tuesday, August 8 through Thursday, August 10.  Local candidates will qualify at the Red River Clerk of Court’s office.

The Louisiana Secretary of State said, “Local and municipal candidates qualify with the clerk of court in the parish in which they are registered to vote. All candidates for state office will qualify at the Louisiana State Archives located at 3851 Essen Lane in Baton Rouge. Hours of operation for the secretary of state are 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily. Candidates are encouraged to check with their local clerk of court for specific parish hours.”

There will be a crowded ballot this October with state, legislative, and local offices up for election.  On the statewide ballot will include candidates for Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commissioner of Insurance.

Members of the BESE board are also up for election.  Red River voters will vote on the representative from this area of the state.  We are in BESE district 4.

All members of the state legislature are up for election.  This area is involved in redistricting for both the state house and senate.  House district 23 served by Kenny Cox has been moved to south Louisiana and areas included in that district have been moved into other house districts. All of Red River is now in House district 5.  Cox is term limited and cannot run again for the House.

Redistricting also jumbled up the north Louisiana Senate district.  The seat now occupied by retiring Senator Louis Bernard has changed and now includes part or all of 10 parishes.  Red River is included in that newly drawn district 31.

On the local level, the Sheriff, Clerk of Court, Assessor, Coroner and Police Jurors all are up for election.   And there are special elections in Edgefield for Chief of Police and in Hall Summit also for Chief of Police.