Qualifying for November elections begins Wednesday

Qualifying begins Wednesday for November elections that will affect governments at the city, parish, state and federal levels.

In St. Mary, the qualifying period for the upcoming fall elections will be Wednesday, July 20, through Friday, July 22, in the Clerk of Court’s Office, the Registrar of Voters Office said.

Election day will be Tuesday, Nov. 8, and early voting will be Oct. 25-Nov. 1 except for Sunday, Oct. 30.

The deadlines for registering to vote or to make changes to a current registration are Oct. 11 in person and Oct. 18 online.

The Nov. 8 primary election will be on a Tuesday because two congressional offices are involved.

U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-La., is up for re-election and is being challenged by Democrats Luke Mixon, Gary Chambers and Syrita Steib.

The 3rd Congressional District seat held by U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins, R-Lafayette, is also up for election. Lane Payne of Vermilion Parish has announced plans to run for the 3rd District seat.

The redistricting map approved by the Legislature put portions of extreme eastern St. Mary in the 6th District, represented by Baton Rouge Republican Garrett Graves.

District Judge Steven Miller, R-Thibodaux, has announced that he will run for the Louisiana 1st Circuit Court of Appeal seat being vacated by the retirement of Chief Judge Vanessa Whipple.

Closer to home, all 11 seats on the St. Mary Parish School Board will also be up for election Nov. 8.

On the municipal slate, Patterson and Berwick will hold elections for mayor and council. Both municipalities elect their councils at large, with the top five vote-getters winning council seats.

Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan is also up for re-election.

Baldwin municipal offices will be decided.

Voters should contact the Registrar of Voters Office at 337-828-4100 ext. 360 with any questions.