The deadline for registering for the April 6 municipal elections is drawing near.

People not already registered to vote, or who need to make changes in their current voter registration, have until 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to sign up or make changes.

Persons needing to sign up or make should  go to their local Registrar of Voters Office, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m.  or online at www.geauxvote.com.

If registering in person, you must have a current Louisiana driver’s license, birth certificate or other documentation showing proof of age, residency and identity.

Municipal elections are slated for Lake Charles, Vinton and Jennings with a special councilman race in New Llano. Special elections are also being held for justice of the peace and constables in Allen and Beauregard parishes.

Beauregard and Calcasieu also have propositions for fire protection, school improvements and maintenance of roads, among others.

Early voting for the April 6 election is March 23-30.

Here’s a look at the local ballots for Southwest Louisiana:

ALLEN PARISH

Justice of the peace, Ward 1 –  Rodney Botley;  Ricky Mahaffey and Stephen B. Manuel.

Constable, Ward 1 –  “Blackie” LeBlue and Earl Morrow.

BEAUREGARD PARISH

Constable District 2 –  Kenneth “Ken” Evans and Leonard “Pard” Stark.

Voters in Fire Protection District 4 will be asked to continue a millage for improvement to fire department facilities.

CALCASIEU PARISH

Lake Charles City Council District A – Kecee Lewis; Mary Morris and Marshall Simien Jr. (I).

Lake Charles City Council B – Luvertha August (I) and Lionel H. Taylor.

Lake Charles CIty Council G – Mark Eckard (I) and Khalid Taha.

Vinton council  five at large) – Bliss Bujard (I); Harold Douga (I); Richard Huval; William “B.B.” Loyd (I); Kevin Merchant (I); Paul Patin and Marcus Renfrow.

Vinton police chief – Ricky Fox (I); Chad Ivery Perry and Arthur Phillips Sr.

The ballot will also include several propositions in Calcasieu Parish including a proposal to allow the city of Lake Charles to develop and finance a hotel with sales tax revenues.

The Calcasieu Parish School Board is seeking a $13.2 million bond issue for School District No. 25 in Iowa and a $10 million bond issue for School District No. 26 in Vinton.

School District No. 30 in Sulphur is also seeking separate bond issues for acquiring and improving land for buildings and playgrounds and renovations and improvements to the football stadium and athletic facilities at Sulphur High School. The first is for a $4.6 bond issue and the second is for a $5.2 million bond issue.

Calcasieu Parish voters are being asked to approve a 10-year, 4.06 mill for maintenance and operation of roads and drainage. It will generate $6.7 million annually.

The second measure, is for a 10-year, 3.49 mill for maintenance and operation of  the Juvenile Detention Center and Juvenile Probation Office. It will generate $5.7 million annually.

A 10-year, 2.48 millage renewal is also being sought for the Calcasieu Parish Health Unit. It will generate $4 million annually for maintenance and operation.

The city of Sulphur is seeking renewal of separate 10-year, 5 mill for street and fire department improvements. Both will generate $587,221.

JEFFERSON DAVIS PARISH

Jennings mayor – Terry Duhon (I) and Marcus Peterson.

VERNON PARISH

Councilman of New Llano – Bruce Harris, Mayur “Mack” Patel and Terry Speicher.

For more information on voter registration, call offices in: Allen Parish, 639-4966;  Beauregard Parish, 463-7955; Calcasieu Parish, 437-3572; Cameron Parish, 775-5493; Jefferson Davis Parish, 824-0834; Vernon Parish, 239-3690.

(American Press Archives)