Mangham village seats, amendments on ballot
Neal Harwell will continue to serve as Richland Parish sheriff unopposed.
“I would like to thank the citizens of Richland Parish for allowing me to serve as their sheriff,” Harwell said. “If it would have not been for Sheriff Gary Gilley appointing me as his chief deputy back in 2016 this would not have been possible. As we go forward with the changes happening in our parish, I can assure you the safety of our citizens and the protection of property will be our number priority of the sheriff’s office.”
Andre Fuller of Monroe, the only other candidate, was disqualified from running during a hearing held on Feb. 7. After reviewing the evidence, Fifth District Court Judge Will Barham found Fuller had not lived in Richland Parish during the year before qualifying for office.
This leaves Mangham municipal elections and four constitutional amendments as the only items on the March 29 ballot.
In Mangham, Charlotte Boone and Kristi Fleming will face off for the position of mayor.
Four people are currently running for the two vacant alderman positions. They are Kathryn “Paula” Carter, Mary Nichols, Andrea Ramsey and Marie Wilhite.
In addition to local elections four constitutional amendments will also be on the ballot.
Amendment 1 reads: “Do you support an amendment granting the Louisiana Supreme Court jurisdiction to discipline out-of-state lawyers for unethical legal practices in the state of Louisiana, and to grant the legislature the authority to establish trial courts of limited and specialized jurisdiction?”
A vote for it would add to the constitution the Louisiana Supreme Court’s authority to discipline out-of-state lawyers for legal work in the state and expand the Legislature’s authority to create specialty courts not limited to parish and judicial district boundaries.
A vote against it would retain the current provisions governing the Louisiana Supreme Court’s oversight of lawyer discipline and keep the Louisiana Legislature’s authority to create specialty courts limited to parish and judicial district boundaries.
Amendment 2 reads: “Do you support an amendment to revise Article VII of the Constitution of Louisiana including revisions to lower the maximum rate of income tax, increase income tax deductions for citizens over sixty-five, provide for a government growth limit, modify operation of certain constitutional funds, provide for property tax exemptions retaining the homestead exemption and exemption for religious organizations, provide a permanent teacher salary increase by requiring a surplus payment to teacher retirement debt, and make other modifications?”
A vote for it would rewrite large portions of the Louisiana Constitution article dealing with revenue collections, the state budget process, savings accounts and taxation rules.
A vote against it would continue the current provisions governing revenue collections, budgeting procedures, savings accounts and taxation limitations.
Amendment 3 reads: “Do you support an amendment to provide the legislature the authority to determine which felony crimes, when committed by a person under the age of seventeen, may be transferred for criminal prosecution as an adult?”
A vote for it would increase the cap on deposits into the Budget Stabilization Fund, transfer additional cash into the account and eliminate the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund, giving lawmakers more money in the general fund to spend.
A vote against it would keep the two state savings accounts, the Budget Stabilization Fund and the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund, with their current deposit rules and spending limitations in place.
Amendment 4 reads: “Do you support an amendment to provide for the use of the earliest election date to fill judicial vacancies?”
A vote for it would change the timing requirements for filling a judicial vacancy or newly created judgeship, so the special election coincides with the regular elections calendar.
A vote against it would keep election rules for filling a judicial vacancy or newly created judgeship that require the special election to be held and a judge to be seated within 12 months after the vacancy began.
People who missed Wednesday’s deadline to register to vote in person, still have until March 8 to register to vote through the Geaux-Vote Online Registration System.
Early voting is from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. March 15-22 (excluding March 16).
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is 4:30 p.m. March 25 (other than military and overseas voters). You can request an absentee ballot online or in writing through your registrar of voters office.
