Early voting for the Nov. 16 elections in Calcasieu, Jeff Davis and Vernon parishes opens today and will continue through Saturday, Nov. 9.

Residents who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish voter registrar office 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily, except for Sunday.

Voters in Calcasieu and Vernon parishes will determine the fate of property taxes for school, fire and waterworks improvements, and some voters in Jennings will select a member of the City Council.

Voters in central and south Lake Charles will decide on a 5-mill property tax that’s dedicated for upgrades in technology, school security, traffic control, playground equipment, roofing and air conditioning and other amenities at Barbe High; S.J. Welsh Middle; and Barbe, College Oaks, Dolby, Nelson, Prien Lake and St. John elementary schools. The 10-year tax is expected to raise about $1.57 million annually.

Sulphur voters will determine whether School District 30 can issue $8 million worth of 20-year bonds to fund improvement to the Sulphur High School athletic facilities. The bonds would be paid with a 1.87-mill property tax.

Fire Protection District 1 of Ward 5 is asking voters to renew a 6-mill property tax for maintaining and improving facilities, equipment and training for firefighters. The 10-year tax is expected to generate about $170,000 annually.

Voters in Waterworks District 7 of Wards 4 and 6 are being asked to renew a 6-mill, 10-year tax for maintaining and operating waterworks facilities. The tax is expected to garner about $316,000 annually.

Voters across Vernon Parish will be asked to renew a property tax that is being raised 0.95 mills to 8.12 mills. The 10-year tax, which is expected to raise $1.08 million annually, pays for operating and maintaining the 20 public schools in the parish.

Voters in the Hornbeck school district will be asked to renew a 10-year property tax for maintaining and operating schools. The 13.83-mill, 10-year tax would be a 0.51-mill increase over a tax that passed in 2005. The tax is expected to generate about $41,000 annually

Voters in the Orange School District are being asked to renew a 13.24-mill, 10-year tax that is expected to raise about $91,000 annually. The money will be used for operating and maintaining schools in the district.

Ward 1 voters will decide on renewal of a 13.03-mill, 10-year tax for operating and maintaining district schools. The tax generates about $788,000 annually.

Voters in Jennings City Council District D will choose between Janet M. Jones and Anthony ‘‘Coach’’ Leblanc in a runoff election.

(American Press Archives)