Early voting opens Saturday in Patterson, Franklin elections

Early voting begins Saturday for municipal elections in Patterson and Franklin.
Early voting will be 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. each day Saturday through March 19, excluding Sunday. If you’re eligible to vote in the election, you can vote at either Registrar of Voters Office. They’re located at the St. Mary Parish Courthouse in Franklin and at the Morgan City office, 301 Third St. You’ll need a photo ID to vote.
In Patterson, three proposed amendments for the city charter are on the ballot:
—No. 1 requires candidates for mayor to have either a high school diploma or its equivalent before qualifying to run.
—No. 2 requires the police chief to be at least 21, to have lived in Patterson for at least a year before taking the job and to be Peace Officer Standards Training-certified.
—No. 3 allows the police chief to receive a salary increase in the same four-year term in which the City Council approves the raise. Currently, the charter prohibits changes in the chief’s salary from taking effect until after the term when the changes are approved.
If the amendment passes, a cut in the chief’s pay would still have to wait until after the current term, but a raise could take effect immediately.
A seat on the City Council became open when Sandra K. Turner resigned in July, when she moved from the city limits. Ray Dewey Sr. was the lone candidate to qualify to run for the remainder of Turner’s term. Dewey took office Tuesday night.
Likewise, Tammie Moore of Four Corners was the only candidate who qualified to run for the St. Mary School Board seat left vacant when member Sylvia Lockett died in October.
Moore remains on the board after being appointed as Lockett’s interim successor.
Franklin voters are also due to pick City Council members.
Two races for the five-member council emerged in qualifying.
Ian Jonas Ruskoski is challenging incumbent Lester “Motor” Levine Jr. for the council’s at-large seat.
In District C, Ella Prevost Hamilton qualified to run against incumbent Larry Guilbeau.
Mayor Eugene Foulcard and council members Jaime Robison, Chuck D. Autin and Joseph H. Garrison qualified without opposition.