<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family:" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Do the Republican and Democratic parties pick up the tab for the closed primary election, or is it paid for by everyone?</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Taxpayers cover the cost.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“Except as otherwise provided herein, the costs and expenses incurred for a presidential preference primary election shall be paid by the secretary of state as in gubernatorial elections. …,” reads Louisiana R.S. 18:1400.5.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“When a local governing authority is required by this Chapter to pay the costs and expenses incurred for an election, and such election is scheduled to be held on the date of a presidential prefer</span><span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">ence primary election, the local governing authority shall pay all costs and expenses incurred for such elections.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Meg Casper, spokeswoman for the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office, said 24 parishes will hold municipal elections on the date of the presidential preference primary, March 5.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">The Legislature last year allocated $3.3 million to pay for the presidential primary,</span> <span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">which is open to political parties whose members number at least 40,000.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Under state law — in this case, R.S. 18:1280.21 — the primary is closed to all but registered members of the parties involved, and those who plan to cast primary votes may only choose from among the slate presented by their party.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">Other legal provisions from R.S. 18:1280.21:</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">“The state central committee of a recognized political party may allow in its bylaws, electors who are not affiliated with any political party to cast a vote on the ballot of such recognized political party.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">“The state central committee shall notify the Department of State that its bylaws allow for such voting by non-affiliated electors no later than seven days prior to the opening of qualifying for the presidential preference primary. Such notification shall be considered valid and effective for subsequent presidential preference primaries unless the state central committee notifies the Department of State that its bylaws no longer allow for such voting by non-affiliated electors no later than seven days prior to the opening of qualifying for a presidential preference primary.”</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyListing">“Any elector who is not affiliated with any political party and who is allowed to cast his vote on the ballot of a recognized political party in the presidential preference primary … shall cast his vote on the ballot of only one recognized political party.”</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">Online:</span> <span class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote"><a href="http://www.legis.la.gov">www.legis.la.gov</a>; <a href="http://www.geauxvote.com">www.geauxvote.com</a>.</span>

<span style="font-size: 14px;" class="R~sep~AHeadBrief">‘Reinforcement needs’ led to work at park</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold; font-family:" class="R~sep~ACopyBody">What is the scope of work for all the activity going on at the amphitheater at Prien Lake Park?</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“Due to some structural reinforcement needs, the amphitheater project at Prien Lake Park entails the demolition and removal of the existing frame, concrete stairs and walking surface,” Dean Kelly, Calcasieu Parish facility management director, said in a statement forwarded to the Informer.</span>

<span class="R~sep~ACopyBody">“This will be followed by the installation of new vinyl sheet piling, decking, treated wood posts, stainless steel handrails, and new electrical wiring and fixtures. All existing concrete seating will remain the same.”</span>

<span style="font-weight: bold;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">Online:</span> <span class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote"><a href="http://www.cppj.net">www.cppj.net</a>.</span>

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<span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">The I</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">nform</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">er answers questions from rea</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">ders each Sunday, Monday a</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">nd Wednesday. It is re</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">searched and written by</span> <span style="font-weight: bold; font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">Andrew Perzo</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">, an</span> <span style="font-style: italic; font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">American Press</span> <span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">staff wri</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">ter. To ask a question, call</span> <span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">494-409</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">8 and leave voice mail, or ema</span><span style="font-size: 8pt;" class="R~sep~ACopyEditors~sep~endnote">il informer@americanpress.com.</span>