Ballots for the Nov. 4 elections start taking shape Wednesday as qualifying for local and statewide elections begins.

Candidates can go to clerk of court offices in each parish to qualify 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, Aug. 20-22. State candidates qualify at the Secretary of State’s Office in Baton Rouge.

In Southwest Louisiana, the ballot will include races for municipal officials, school board members, district judges, district attorneys, justices of the peace and constables.

A special election is scheduled in Leesville to fill the unexpired term of District 4 councilman Mike Elliott, who died in June. The council appointed Tony Shapkoff to fill the post until the election could be held.

The Jeff Davis Parish Police Jury will hold a special election in District 11 to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Mark Pousson in March. Jim Wright was appointed to fill the seat until the election.

U.S. Senate and House races, as well as elections for state Supreme Court and appeals court judges, will be on the ballot.

Some parishes also have road, recreation and other millage elections slated. Ballots will include 14 proposed constitutional amendments.

Early voting for the fall primary election is Oct. 21-28.

The races slated for Southwest Louisiana parishes:

Allen Parish

Voters in Elizabeth, Kinder, Oberlin and Reeves have elections for mayor, council, aldermen and police chief posts.

Parishwide, voters will elect seven school board members; two district judges; a district attorney; and justices of the peace and constables. Voters will also decide on U.S. senator; 4th Congressional District representative; an associate justice for the state Supreme Court; and 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal judge, 3rd District, Division B.

In Oakdale, voters will elect a city judge and city marshal.

Beauregard Parish

Parishwide, voters will elect two district judges; a district attorney; 10 school board members; and justices of the peace and constables. Voters will also decide on U.S. senator; 4th Congressional District representative; an associate justice for the state Supreme Court; and 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal judge, 2nd District, 2A.

Calcasieu Parish

DeQuincy, Iowa and Westlake will have elections for mayor, council and police chief positions.

Parishwide, voters will elect 15 school board members; district judges in eight divisions; a district attorney; and justices of the peace and constables. Voters will also decide on U.S. senator; 3rd Congressional District representative; and 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal judge, 2nd District, 2A.

Sulphur and Lake Charles voters will also elect a city judge and city marshal.

Cameron Parish

Parishwide, voters will elect eight school board members; a district judge and district attorney; and justices of the peace and constables.

Cameron voters will also decide on a U.S. senator; 3rd Congressional District representative; and 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal judge, 2nd District, 2A.

Jeff Davis Parish

Elton and Lake Arthur voters have elections for mayor, council and police chief posts.

Jennings voters will elect a city judge and city marshal.

A special election is slated for Police Jury District 11.

Parishwide, elections will be held for 13 school board seats; district judge; district attorney; and justices of the peace and constables. Voters will also decide on U.S. senator; 3rd Congressional District representative; and 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal judge, 2nd District, 2A.

Vernon Parish

Hornbeck and Rosepine voters will head to the polls to fill mayor, aldermen and police chief positions.

Leesville voters will also decide on a city judge, city marshal and a special election for District 4 council seat.

Parishwide, all 12 School Board members; three district judges; a district attorney; and justices of the peace and constables seats will be decided.

Voters will also decide on U.S. senator; 4th Congressional District representative; an associate justice of the state Supreme Court; and 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal judge,  2nd District, 2A.(MGNonline)