Candidates for October election must qualify this week

Gazette Staff Report

The 2023 campaign season begins in earnest in Union Parish next week as candidates for five local offices, seven statewide offices and 2 legislative seats begin qualifying.

The qualifying period for the Oct. 14 primary begins Tuesday and ends Thursday, Aug. 10.

When Union Parish voters step into voting booths on election day, they will be choosing candidates for the following offices:

Local
Sheriff, Clerk of Court, Assessor, Coroner and all 9 Police Jurors.

Statewide
Governor, Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, Treasurer, Commissioner of Agriculture and Commissioner of Insurance.

Legislators
State Senator (Dist 33) and State Representative (Dist. 12).

The following four proposed constitutional amendments also will appear on the statewide ballot:

Amendment No. 1:  Prohibits the use of funds, goods or services from a foreign government or nongovernmental source to conduct elections and election functions and duties unless the use is authorized by the Secretary of State through policies established in accordance with law.

Amendment No. 2: Provides that freedom of worship in a church or other place of worship is worthy of the highest order of protection.

Amendment No. 3: Requires a minimum of 25 percent of any money designated as nonrecurring state revenue be applied toward the balance of the unfunded accrued liability of the state retirement systems.

Amendment No. 4: Denies property tax exemptions to a nonprofit corporation of association that owns residential property in such a state of disrepair that it endangers public health or safety.

Any questions regarding qualifying should be directed to the Union Parish Clerk of Court’s office in the Union Parish Courthouse at 100 E. Bayou St., Suite 105 in Farmerville, 318-368-3055.