Qualifying for November elections set for Wednesday-Friday

   While the “main event” on Nov. 8 is the presidential contest that will pit -- barring any unforeseen circumstances -- Donald Trump against Hillary Clinton, there will be several important state and local races on the ballot.

   There are no parishwide local offices in the November election, but candidates in four parish municipalities will be qualifying for the election this Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The Avoyelles Clerk of Court will be signing up candidates for municipal offices in Cottonport, Simmesport, Hessmer and Plaucheville from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on those three days.

   In Simmesport there will be a mayor’s race, four council district seats and an at-large council election.

   Cottonport will have a mayoral election, four council district races, an at-large council member election and choose a police chief.

   Hessmer and Plaucheville will each elect a mayor and three at-large aldermen. Hessmer will also elect a police chief.

   Plaucheville and Simmesport police chiefs are appointed.

   Mansura will hold a special election for the at-large alderman’s seat vacated by the death of De’Las Huddleston.

   There will be a special election for Ward 4 justice of the peace to replace Marvin Roy, who died earlier this year.

   There is a special election for the Evergreen alderman position vacated by Tracy Leger, who resigned because she moved from Evergreen.

  Avoyelles voters will make their voices known in the statewide race for a U.S. Senate seat. That election has drawn the interest of several potential candidates since incumbent David Vitter has said he will not seek re-election.

   There are also state district races on the ballot.

  There may or may not be an election for congressman, depending on whether anyone qualifies against incumbent Ralph Abraham, who is finishing his first term in the House.

   There is a state Supreme Court election for the seat being vacated by the retirement of Jeannette Knoll of Marksville. There is also 3rd Circuit Court of Appeal race.

   The parish’s Public Service Commission seat is also on the ballot, with incumbent Clyde Holloway indicating he is seeking re-election.