Elections for the March 29 municipal primary and special elections across Southwest Louisiana will begin taking shape with the opening of qualifying on Jan. 29.

Qualifying will continue 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. through Jan. 31 at local clerk of court’s offices.

Races will include municipal elections in Lake Charles, Vinton and Jennings where voters will decide on their next mayor and council members. Vinton voters will also elect their next police chief.

Special elections are slated for the mayor of DeRidder and District 2 councilman seat in DeRidder, as well as the District 7 seat on the Allen Parish School Board.

Voters will also be filling two judgeship seats on the 14th Judicial District Court.

In Cameron Parish, the justice of the peace Ward 3 seat is also up for grabs. Voters will also be deciding on a 9.30 mill property tax for Recreation District No. 5.

Vernon Parish voters will be electing a constable justice of the peace Ward 2 and an alderman in the town of Hornbeck.

An election is also slated for the associate justice Supreme Court, 3rd Supreme Court District seat in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis and Vernon parishes.

Candidates for local elections can qualify at the clerk of court’s office in their parish from 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Jan. 29-31.

Qualifying fees vary for each office and must be paid in the form of cash, certified or cashier’s check or money order.

Early voting for the election is March 15-22.

The deadline to register to vote in person, by mail or at the Office of Motor Vehicles is Feb. 26. The deadline to register to vote through the GeauxVote online registration is March 8.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 4:30 p.m. March 25, other than military or overseas voters. Absentee ballots may be requested online through the voter portal or in writing through the Registrar of Voters Office.

Ballots must be returned to the Registrar of Voters office by 4:30 p.m. March 28, excluding military and overseas voters.

•

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