For those of you located in Louisiana, you are certainly aware that there is an election coming up on March 26th. For those in Caddo or Bossier Parishes, this election will directly impact our court system. There are two open judicial seats on the ballot on March 26: Judge on the Second Circuit Court of Appeal and Judge on the 26th Judicial District Court.
The candidate elected to the 26th will preside over criminal as well as civil cases in Bossier and Webster Parishes and the candidate elected to the Second Circuit will hear appeals of criminal and civil cases throughout the Second Circuit (see the maps below).
In Louisiana, District Court judges are elected for six (6) year terms. Appellate court judges are elected for terms of ten (10) years. The candidates for the Court of Appeal in this election are Judge Erin Leigh Waddell Garrett and Judge Craig Marcotte. The candidates for the 26th Judicial District Court are Allie Aiello Stahl and Doug Stinson.
In Louisiana, the requirements to be eligible to vote are that you: (1) are a United States citizen, (2) are 18 years old (but you can register at 17), (3) are not in jail or under an order of supervision (i.e. in jail or on probation or parole)*, (4) are not interdicted, and (5) live in the state and parish in which you are registered to vote.
*This provision means that even if you are a convicted felon, once you have served your sentence, you are eligible to vote and should confirm that your registration is valid. (You can do that here.)
Early voting in this election begins on March 12 and runs through March 19 (except Sunday, March 13) from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. and Election Day voting will take place on March 26, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.