Early voting begins November 7 for statewide elections

Early voting begins November 7 for three of Louisiana's statewide races.

Early voting will be held through November 14, and voters are reminded there is now an early voting site in the City of West Monroe.  The West Ouachita Senior Center, located at 1800 N. 7th Street, now serves as an early voting site.  The Senior Center will be open to early voters on November 7, 9, 13 and 14 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Voters will be asked to select Louisiana's next Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General. U.S. Senator David Vitter and State Rep. John Bel Edwards are vying to be Louisiana's next Governor.  In the runoff for Lieutenant Governor are Billy Nungesser, former president of Plaquemines Parish, and Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden.  The third statewide seat up for grabs is state Attorney General.  Facing off in that runoff are current Attorney General Buddy Caldwell and former Congressman Jeff Landry. For more information on Louisiana's elections, please visit the La. Secretary of State's web site at www.sos.la.gov.

Election Day is Saturday, November 21.

The West Ouachita Senior Center now serves as an early voting site for Ouachita Parish residents.

Only 38.5 percent of registered voters turned out for the October 24 election.

We encourage all registered voters to exercise their right to vote on November 21 and let your voices be heard.  After the polls close on November 21, the leaders elected will serve our state for the next four years.  With our state facing some tough decisions concerning such issues as education reform, transportation and the state budget, Louisiana's next leaders have their work cut out for them.

Vote!!

Early Voting in Ouachita Parish through October 28

Early voting for the November 4 election begins today and continues through October 28. There are several high-profile races in this election including United States Senator and Congressman for the 5th Congressional District.

Some voters may not realize there are also 14 proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution.  Those amendments include:

Amendment No. 1 - Medical Trust Fund and Provider Base Rate

Amendment No. 2 - Hospital Assessment, Trust Fund and Fee Formula

Amendment No. 3 - Sales of Property with Delinquent Taxes

Amendment No. 4 - Fund Transfers for an Infrastructure Bank

Amendment No. 5 - Elimination Mandatory Retirement Age of Judges

Amendment No. 6 - Higher Millage Cap for Police and Fire Protection in Orleans Parish

Amendment No. 7 - Property Tax Exemption for Certain Disabled Veterans

Amendment No. 8 - Artificial Reef Development Fund

Amendment No. 9 - Tax Exemption Reporting for Permanently Disabled Residents

Amendment No. 10 - Tax Sale of Vacant, Blighted or Abandoned Property

Amendment No. 11 - Increases the Number of State Departments from 20 to 21

Amendment No. 12 - Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission Membership

Amendment No. 13 - Orleans Lower Ninth Ward Vacant Property

Amendment No. 14 - Tax Rebates, Incentives and Abatements

More information about these proposed amendments can be found at the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana's web site at www.parlouisiana.org

Early voting takes place from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day through October 28 except for Sunday. In Ouachita Parish, early voting can take place at the Registar of Voters office at 1650 DeSiard Street, Suite 125 in Monroe or at designated times at Chennault Aviation Museum. Call the Ouachita Parish Registrar of Voters office at (318) 327-1436 for more information.

For a complete list of races taking place in Ouachita Parish, visit the Louisiana Secretary of State's web site at www.sos.la.gov.