Qualifying period approaching for Oct. 24 election in St. Charles Parish

The St. Charles Parish Clerk of Court’s phones are ringing more lately, especially with the three-day candidate qualifying period fast approaching for the Oct. 24 primary election.

“The interest in the upcoming election has been quiet,” said parish Clerk of Court Lance Marino. “But, recently, we’ve gotten quite a few calls from citizens possibly qualifying for office. Things are picking up.”

The Secretary of State handles qualifying for regional or statewide.

But Marino said there are some changes to this election schedule.

Anyone interested in qualifying to run for the Oct. 24 election must do it Sept. 8 – 10 at the Clerk of Court’s office.

The Labor Day holiday (Sept. 7) has changed qualifying days from Wednesday, Thursday and Friday to Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.

For candidates who like to qualify late, Marino advised the extra half hour on the last day of qualifying is gone.By law, office hours for qualifying will be 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

For both candidate and voter, it’s going to be a busy Oct. 24 election primary with everything from the governor’s office to local officials on the ballot.

Anyone who goes to the polls in the parish can expect to cast a ballot for parish president, sheriff, clerk of court and the entire parish council, as well as state representative and senator.

Marino said early voting is becoming more popular with each election. Anyone who wants to vote early can do so Oct. 10 – 17 for the Oct. 24 primary at the St. Charles Parish Courthouse in Hahnville and the Allen Atterbury Building. For the Nov. 21 general election, early voting will be Nov. 7 – 14.

Parish Registrar of Voters Brian Champagne said anticipated voter turnout is 60 percent or more.

“Our parish always has a great turnout,” Champagne said. “Every election is driven by what’s on the ballot. This is a popular election, as well as next year’s presidential election.”

The voter deadline to register for the Oct. 24 primary is Sept. 23.

For more information on registering or to make changes to an individuals voter registration, residents should contact the St. Charles Parish Registrar of Voters Office at (985) 783-5120.