Voters across Southwest Louisiana will head to the polls today to decide a number of local issues and to pick a U.S. senator.

Voters in Allen, Calcasieu, Jeff Davis and Vernon parishes will also have several tax and bond propositions for schools, roads, fire protection, recreation, waterworks, courthouse maintenance and solid waste collection.

Voters in Elizabeth will decide whether to continue with an elected police chief position or allow the mayor to appoint a marshal as the chief.

Voters in all parishes will choose between Democrat Mary Landrieu, the incumbent, and Republican Bill Cassidy for the U.S. Senate.

Polls will be open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Voters should take with them a valid Louisiana photo ID. The ballot items in Southwest Louisiana parishes:

Allen

A 15-year, $1 million bond issue for Fire District 5 for buildings, machinery and equipment. The bonds will be payable from a 7.15-mill ad valorem tax.

A 20-year, $4 million bond issue for the School Board District 3 for land and new school facilities. The bonds will be payable from a 27-mill property tax.

Renewal of a 10-year, 6-mill property tax for Oberlin Recreation District 5 to maintain and operate facilities. The tax will generate $30,623 a year.

Voters in Elizabeth will decide if the mayor, with the approval of aldermen, can appoint a marshal to be the police chief.

Beauregard

Ward 4 constable — David Clouse and Tony Deville.

Calcasieu

A 20-year, $12.7 million bond issue for School Board District 27 for land and facilities for schools in Gillis and Moss Bluff. The rate will be 20.07 mills in the first year.

A 20-year, $1.2 million bond issue for Ward 7 Fire Protection District 1 fire hydrants and water lines. The rate will be 3.14 mills in the first year.

A 20-year, $1.9 million bond issue for Ward 7 Waterworks District 10 to maintain and improve the system. The rate will be 14.03 mills in the first year.

A 10-year, 15-mill property tax for Ward 7 Waterworks District 10 for maintenance and operations. The tax will generate $239,842 annually.

Runoffs in Calcasieu:

14th Judicial District Division A judge — William “Mitch” Redd and Oliver “Jackson” Schrumpf.

Ward 7 justice of peace — incumbent Danny Landry and Chad Ivery Perry.

Lake Charles City Court Division A judge — Jamie Bice and Rob McCorquodale.

Lake Charles City Court Division B judge — John S. Hood and Ron Richard.

School Board District 3 — Glenda Gay and Edwina Medearis.

School Board District 6 — Teddie “Ted” Atterbery and Dean Roberts.

School Board District 10 — Becky B. Grove and Alvin Dale Smith.

Westlake Council Division B — Jeremy Cryer and Sharmita Rideau.

Cameron

Cameron Parish School Board District 7 — Joseph Delcambre and Karen Nunez.

Jeff Davis

Renewal of a 10-year, 5.53-mill property tax for Fire Protection District 6 for operations and maintenance. The tax will bring in $55,115 a year.

Renewal of a 10-year, 2.61-mill parishwide property tax for maintenance and upkeep of the parish courthouse and jail. The tax will bring in $503,914 annually.

Renewal of a 10-year, 10.32-mill property tax for Road District 11’s Sub-Road District 1 for road and bridge maintenance and improvement. It will bring in $224,389 annually.

Runoffs in Jeff Davis:

Elton police chief — incumbent Bruce A. Lemelle and Marcus Lemoine Sr.

Elton aldermen — Marilyn Broussard Granger and incumbent Shirley Lafleur Johnson.

Lake Arthur aldermen (four to be elected) — Kathy Benoit, Burnell Broussard, Vicki Broussard, Sherry Hymel Crochet, David Hanks, Robert “Bobby” Palermo, Auldon Robinson Sr. and Eric S. Turner.

Lake Arthur police chief — Ray Marcantel and Cheryl Vincent, the current chief.

Ward 4 constable, justice of the peace —  incumbent Rita Y. Ramagos and Brian “Ping” Vanicor.

Vernon

Continuance of a 10-year, 10.39-mill property tax for Hornbeck School District 143 for maintenance and operations at Hornbeck High. The tax, a 0.39-mill increase, will generate $31,170 a year.

Renewal of a 1 percent parishwide sales tax for collection and disposal of solid waste and to set up a dedicated reserve for solid waste purposes. It will generate $6 million annually.

Renewal of a half-cent parishwide sales tax. Half of the proceeds will be used to improve and maintain roads and bridges; half will be used to improve and maintain fire protection facilities. It will generate $3 million annually.

Continuance of a 10-year, 18.62-mill property tax for Road District 8 for road and bridge maintenance and improvement. It will generate $60,281 a year.

30th Judicial District Court Division B judge — Anthony Eaves and Tony C. Tillman.

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Online: www.geauxvote.com.(MGNonline)