Qualifying begins Wednesday

For those on the fence about running for any number of the political offices on the November ballot, the time to make that decision is drawing near.

Qualifying for the Nov. 4 elections will begin on Wednesday, Aug. 20, and wrap up on Friday, Aug. 22.

Potential candidates can sign up from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. each of those three days at Acadia Parish Clerk of Court Robert “Robby” Barousse’s office. That office is located on the second floor of the Acadia Parish Courthouse in downtown Crowley.

Those signing up must bring cash or cashier’s check. The costs vary for the different offices. A candidate interested in a particular seat can contact the clerk’s office at 788-8881 to answer questions on the different costs.

Those who do jump in will be on a ballot that includes not only local races, but national races as well. The U.S. Senate seat, currently held by Mary Landrieu, as well as U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany’s seat, will be included.

There be plenty of local seats open, too.

Crowley, Rayne, Church Point, Estherwood, Iota, Mermentau and Morse will hold elections for mayor, chief of police and aldermen.

Crowley and Rayne residents also will decide races for their respective city court judges and city court marshals.

Elections will also take place for Acadia Parish School Board members.

The parish will also see candidates for justices of the peace and constables. And some Acadia Parish “border” residents will have a say in municipal elections in Basile, Duson and Eunice.

Acadia Parish is also part of the 15th Judicial District that will have elections for district attorney and district judges.

Election day for all of those spots will be Tuesday, Nov. 4. Runoff elections will take place on Dec. 6.

An early voting period is set for Tuesday, Oct. 21 through Oct. 28.

Anyone not registered to vote must sign up to do so 30 days prior to Nov. 4. That deadline is Monday, Oct. 6. It should be Oct. 4, but because that fall falls on a weekend, the deadline was extended it to the next business day.