Voters in some parts of Southwest Louisiana will head to the polls today to decided on a number of local issues, including millage renewals and continuances for maintenance, operation and upgrades of schools, fire protection, roads, bridges and drainage districts.

Voters in parts of Jennings will also cast ballots for councilmen for Districts A and D.

Voters in rural parts of Jeff Davis Parish will also face a number of tax issues for maintenance and upkeep of fire protection, roads and drainage in rural areas.

In Allen Parish, voters in the Reeves area will elect a justice of the peace in a special election.

Vernon Parish voters are also being asked to elect a constable/justice of the peace in the Evans area and Simpson police chief in special elections. Voters in the Rosepine area will also decide on two separate issues for maintenance and improvements of roads and bridges.

Beauregard Parish voters will decide on a parishwide school maintenance tax, as well as propositions for fire protection in the Singer, Merryville and Starks area and road upkeep in the Fields and Starks area.

There are no elections in Calcasieu or Cameron parish.

Polls will be open 7 a.m. – 8 p.m.

“It’s truly important for everyone to get out and vote on Saturday,” Secretary of State Tom Schedler said in a press release. “Many of these municipal elections will determine who represents you locally and what kind of public services are provided in your area. You can’t make a difference if you don’t vote.”

Voters should bring a driver’s license, a Louisiana special ID or some other generally recognized picture ID that contains both your name and a signature.

Here is a parish by parish look at the ballot. Sample ballots can also be reviewed by downloading the GeauxVote Mobile app for smartphones or by visiting www.sos.la.gov.

ALLEN PARISH

• The only item on the ballot in Allen Parish is a special election for justice of the peace in Ward 3 in the Reeves area. Miranda “Mandy” Fontenot and Dawn Perkins are seeking the seat vacated by the resignation of Billie Felice.

BEAUREGARD PARISH

• The Beauregard Parish School Board is seeking continuation of a 10-year, 21.35 mill property tax for operating and maintaining public elementary and secondary schools. The fund will include the cost of acquiring and maintaining equipment and supplies for educational and instructional service; and paying the salaries of personnel; and cost of acquiring library books. The measure represents a 2.20 increase due to reappraisal over the current 19.15. The tax would generate $4,761,600 annually.

• Voters in Fire Protection District No. 1 of the Singer, Merryville and Starks area are being asked to continue a 10-year,  4.97 mill property tax for maintenance, improvement and operations of fire protection facilities and equipment; and cost of obtaining water for fire protection purposes, including tankers and fire trucks; and for fire hydrant rentals and service. It represents a .56 increase over the current 4.41 mills. The tax would generate $511,910 annually.

• Voters in Road District 1-A in the Fields and Starks area are being asked to approve a 10-year,  24.36 mill property tax for constructing, improving, and maintaining parish roads and bridges and acquiring the necessary equipment. It would generate $850,000 a year for the district.

JEFF DAVIS PARISH

• In Jennings, voters will elect a councilman for Districts A and D. Incumbent Rogeous “Randy” Lawdins  and Carolyn K. Simon are seeking the District A seat. In District D, incumbent Anthony “Coach” LeBlanc is facing a challenge by Janet M. Jones and Wilton Journet Sr.

• The Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury is seeking a new 10-year, 10-mill property tax for maintenance and operation of Fire Protection District 5 in the Fenton area. It is expected to generate $220,330 annually.  

• The Police Jury is also seeking renewal of a 10-year, 11.33 mill property tax for maintenance and improvement of public roads in Road District 10 of Ward 1, 2 and 3. The district includes the rural areas of Jennings and Lake Arthur. It would generate $565,470 annually.

• The Police Jury is seeking continuance of a 10-year 10.94 mill property tax for improvement and maintenance of public roads for Road District 12 of Wards 6,7 and 8 which includes areas south of Welsh, Lacassine and Roanoke. It would generate $481,600 annually.

• Fire Protection District 1 is seeking continuance of a 10-year,10.49 mill property tax for operation and maintenance of fire protection in the Roanoke area. It would raise $33,422 annually.

• Fire Protection District 3, which includes Woodlawn, Lacassine, Bayou Chene and Welsh is seeking renewal of a 10-year, 3.59 mill property tax for construction and improvement of fire protection facilities and equipment. It would generate $146,600 annually.

• Fire Protection District 4, which includes areas outside of Lake Arthur, is seeking renewal of a 10-year, 5-mill property tax for maintenance and operation. It would generate $76,280 annually.

• Broadmore Gravity Drainage District in the Lake Arthur area is seeking renewal of a 10-year, 8.8-mill property tax for maintenance and operation. It would generate $176,000 annually.

• Gravity Sub-Drainage District A of Gravity Drainage District 1 in the Lake Arthur area is seeking renewal of a 10-year, 11.39-mill property tax for operation and maintenance. It would generate $96,370 annually.

• Grand Marais Gravity Drainage District which includes the areas north of Jennings and areas surrounding Jennings is seeking renewal of a 10-year, 6.7-mill property tax renewal for operation and maintenance. It would generate $140,338 annually.

• Gravity Drainage District 9 which includes the area south of Welsh is seeking renewal of a 10-year, 9.21-mill property tax for operation and maintenance. It would generate $107,849.

VERNON PARISH

• Voters in the Ward 3 area of Evans will elect a new constable, justice of peace in a special election. Allen “Shane” Jeane and Joe Simmons are seeking the position vacated by the resignation of Bobby Minion.

• In Simpson, voters will elect a new police chief. Houston “Tully” Burns Jr. and David Delrie are vying for the seat vacated by the resignation of Sherlin Burkes.

The Vernon Parish Police Jury is also seeking continuance of two separate issues for maintenance and improvements of roads and bridges in Road District 7 in the Rosepine area.

• The first proposition is a 10-year, 7.38 mill property tax for maintaining parish roads and bridges. It would generate $119,625 annually.

• The second is for a 10-year, 2.95 mills property tax for construction and improvement of roads and bridges. It would generate $47,818 annually.

(American Press Archives)