LOUISIANA – Early voting begins Saturday for Louisiana’s two special congressional elections, a spot on the state’s school board, a seat on the 2nd Circuit Court of Appeal and a host of local offices.
“We have some important very important races on the ballot, including two congressional seats, a BESE seat and a state House seat,” said Republican Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, the state’s chief elections officer.
“Early voting has gained popularity as voters choose to utilize the convenience of seven full days to cast their ballot,” he said. “The GeauxVote Mobile App can help voters locate their early voting site, election day voting site or view their sample ballot.”
Special elections for the 2nd Congressional District with New Orleans as the population hub and the rambling 24-parish 5th Congressional with Monroe and Alexandria as the population centers top the marquee.
The 2nd Congressional District came open when longtime former Congressman Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans, gave up his seat to join President Joe Biden’s senior leadership team.
State Sens. Troy Carter and Karen Carter Peterson, both Democrats from New Orleans, Democratic activist Gary Chambers Jr. of Baton Rouge and state Republican Party-backed Claston Bernard are considered the leading contenders in the 2nd District race.
The 5th Congressional District came open after Congressman-elect Luke Letlow, R-Start, died from COVID-19 complications in December before taking office.
Letlow’s wife Julia, R-Start, and Alexandria Democrat Sandra “Candy Christophe” are considered the top contenders in the 5th District race.
Among the other top races: northwestern Louisiana’s District 4 Board of Elementary and Secondary Education seat; and a special election for the 82nd District state representative seat in the New Orleans area.
