Election Day is Coming Up — Here’s the Ballot at a Glance
Election Day is just a few days off and, according to several sources, early voting in the parish is way down. Dr. Henry Sirgo, a political science professor at McNeese State University, said it's not uncommon for people to not vote in local races and he adds that there are lots of reasons.
According to Dr. Sirgo, there is the problem of voter apathy plus, it's common for voter turnout to be low partly due to voter fatigue. Dr. Sirgo says that quite often, especially after something like a presidential election a certain amount of "voter fatigue" sets in.
Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court, Lynn Jones added:
"I understand that when you have a lot of elections in a row you can say, 'Oh well, I am just tired of this, but you know if you really look at it somebody's going to be deciding the future of our area and our city".
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 a.m. on Saturday, You are allowed to take notes you may have made regarding the election into the voting booth with you if you need them to help you vote, but the Clerk of Courts office added that it's always good to know how you're going to vote before you get in the booth.
If you can't make it on April 29, early voting is from April 15 to April 22. HERE is a list of early voting locations.
Now, you're all set to vote. Here's what you find on the ballot in Calcasieu Parish:
CALCASIEU
Lake Charles Mayor
- Wilford Carter, Sr. (DEM)
- Nicholas "Nic" Hunter (REP)
Lake Charles City Council - District B
- Luvertha August (DEM)
- Nicole J. Moncrief (DEM)
Lake Charles City Council - District C
- Eric Doshier (DEM)
- Rodney Geyen (DEM)
Lake Charles City Council - District F
- "Rick" McClain (REP)
- Johnnie Thibodeaux (NOPTY)
Sewerage District No. Eleven of Wards Three and Eight Proposition (Tax Renewal) - 10-Year Renewal
- Shall Sewerage District No. Eleven of Wards Three and Eight of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana (the "District") be authorized to renew, levy, and collect a special 9-mill tax on all property subject to taxation in the District for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with January 1, 2018, and ending December 31, 2027, with collections from the renewed levy estimated to be $241,797 for one entire year, for the purpose of operating and maintaining the District's sewerage facilities?
Sales Tax District No. Three Proposition - 20-Year Bond
- Shall Sales Tax District No. Three of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana ("District") levy and collect for 20 years beginning October 1, 2017, 1-1/2% upon sale at retail, use, lease or rental, consumption and storage for use or consumption of tangible personal property and on sales of services defined in La. R.S. 47:301-318 ("Tax"), with avails of the Tax, after payment of costs of levy and collection, dedicated and used for acquiring and/or improving lands for buildings and playgrounds, purchasing, erecting, enlarging and/or improving school buildings and other related facilities and necessary equipment and furnishings therefor, title to which shall be in the public; with avails of the Tax for one entire year upon initial levy estimated at $3,386,000; and to issue bonds, in multiple series, for not exceeding twenty (20) years from date thereof, with interest at a rate(s) not exceeding eight (8%) percent per annum, which bonds shall be retired with, paid from and secured by a pledge and dedication of the Tax; and, simultaneously, upon levy of the Tax, cancel levy and collection of the sales and use tax approved by electors of the District on July 15, 2000, and initially levied on October 1, 2000?
Fire Protection District No. Three of Ward Four Proposition (Maintenance Millage Renewal) - 10-Year Renewal
- Shall Fire Protection District No. Three of Ward Four of the Parish of Calcasieu, Louisiana, be authorized to renew a levy of a tax of 6.02 mills on all property subject to taxation in said District for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2018 and ending with the year 2027, with collections from the levy of the tax estimated to be $1,051,048 for one entire year, for the purpose of operating and maintaining said District's fire protection facilities constituting works of public improvement, title to which shall be in the public, said tax to represent a decrease of 0.48 mills authorized to be levied through the year 2017 pursuant to an election held on March 31, 2007?
Fire Protection District No. One of Ward Seven Proposition (Tax) - 10-Year Renewal
- Shall Fire Protection District No. One of Ward Seven, of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana (the "District") be authorized to renew, levy a tax of 10.00 mills on all property subject to taxation in said District for a period of ten (10) years, beginning with the year 2018 and ending with the year 2027, with collections from the renewed levy estimated to be $437,716.00 for one entire year, for paying the cost of maintaining and operating existing fire protection facilities in and for said District, including the costs of obtaining water for fire protection and charges for fire hydrant rentals and service, for maintaining and repairing District fire trucks and purchasing, maintaining and repairing other fire fighting equipment of the District?
Community Center and Playground District No. Four of Ward One - 10-Year Renewal
- Shall Community Center and Playground District No. Four of Ward One of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, renew, levy and collect not exceeding 5.00 mills ad valorem tax on all taxable property within said District for a period not to exceed ten (10) years beginning January 1, 2018, with collections from the renewed levy estimated to be $388,731.00 for one entire year, to be used for the purpose of paying the cost of maintaining and operating public buildings, community centers including parks, playgrounds, recreation centers and libraries, together with the necessary furnishings and equipment of the District's recreational facilities and for paying the cost of constructing and improving recreational facilities of the District, constituting works of permanent public improvement, title to which shall be in the public?
Gravity Drainage District No. Two of Ward Seven Proposition (Property Tax) - 10-Year Renewal
- Shall Gravity Drainage District No. Two of Ward Seven, of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana (the "District") be authorized to renew, levy and collect a tax of ten (10) mills on all the property subject to taxation within the District for a period of ten (10) years, commencing with the tax collection for the year 2018 through the year 2027, with collections from the renewed levy estimated to be $531,998.00 for one entire year, for the purpose of maintaining, constructing, and improving gravity drainage works within the territorial limits of Gravity Drainage District No. Two of Ward Seven, for the purpose of paying the cost of purchasing, improving, or constructing the District's gravity drainage facilities and for the purpose of purchasing, maintaining and repairing District equipment, title to which improvements shall be in the public?
Ward Two Fire Protection District Number One Proposition (Tax Renewal) - 10-Year Renewal
- Shall Ward Two Fire Protection District Number One of Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, (the "District"), be authorized to renew, levy and collect a tax of eight (8) mills on all the property subject to taxation within the District for a period of ten (10) years beginning January 1, 2018, with collections from the renewed levy estimated to be $177,062.00 for one entire year, for the purposes of maintaining and operating the District's fire protection facilities including related land, buildings, equipment, appurtenances, and furnishings therefor constituting works of permanent public improvement, title to which shall be in the public?