Qualifying for the March 26 municipal primary election began today and will extend through Friday.

In Calcasieu Parish, Sulphur voters will be choosing their next mayor as well as five city council seats. They will also be choosing the next Lake Charles City Council member for District A.

Cameron voters will be selecting a Justice of the Peace for Ward 6.

Beauregard voters will be choosing the next mayors for DeRidder and Merryville as well as the police chief for Merryville. Also on the ballot will be two seats for councilmen-at-large in DeRidder; five DeRidder City Council seats; and five aldermen seats in the town of Merryville.

Vernon Parish will be selecting mayors for Leesville and New Llano as well as the chief of police for New Llano, five Leesville City Council seats, and a councilman for the town of New Llano.

Allen Parish will select a judge for the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal, 3rd District.

Jeff Davis voters will select their next district attorney.

All candidates for local municipal races must qualify with their parish clerk of court. Candidates may qualify for office by paying a qualifying fee or by filing a nominating petitions.

Qualifying candidates will be required to present a valid Louisiana driver’s license or Louisiana identification card. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, candidates are encouraged to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines.

For more information on qualifying, visit the Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.la.gov or call 225-922-0900.