Soul Bowl At The Polls : Alumni Early Voting Challenge
Calcasieu Parish residents have a very important election coming up at the end of the month. The General Election will take place on Saturday, April 29, 2017, and there will be several items, positions, propositions and taxes on the ballot. These issues will directly affect every citizen living in the Parish.
In addition winners of the runoff races from the March 25, 2017 election, will also be decided. Voters will choose the next Lake Charles Mayor, as well as candidates for the three City Council District positions up for grabs. All of these people will be in positions to make major changes and decisions, good or bad, that will affect your lives on a daily bases.
ALL eligible/registered voters need to take this election seriously, go to the polls and vote. Unfortunately for the past few years local voter turnout has steadily declined. This year voter participation has reached new lows, especially in minority communities. Sadly only 23% showed up at the polls, in the March 25, 2017 election. Current statistics show the total percentage of minorities in Lake Charles is around 55%. African Americans make up 47%, while other races stand at 8%. In contrast Caucasians in Lake Charles, make up 46% of the population. In Calcasieu Parish, the total minority population stands at roughly 31%. African Americans make up 24% (other races 7%,) while Caucasians account for 70% of the parish population.
Right now the minority vote is at a critical low, but some folks are taking a proactive approach in making sure that changes. In an effort to get minority voter participation up alumni from W.O. Boston, Lake Charles Boston, Washington, Marion, Washington Marion and LaGrange are banning together to present the 1st annual, Soul Bowl At The Polls : Alumni Early Voting Challenge.
This is a call to action to ALL minority voters in Calcasieu Parish, to stand-up and be counted! For more info, view the flyer below:
The General Election will take place on Saturday, April 29, 2017, and polls will open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Early Voting starts today Saturday, April 15, 2017 (Closed Sunday) through Saturday, April 22, 2017. Voting hours will be from 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. daily, at the following locations:
Lake Charles - Registrar of Voters Office in the Calcasieu Parish Courthouse, on the 2nd Floor in suite #7.
Sulphur - West Calcasieu Business Center, located at 500 A North Huntington St. in Bldg. B.
Moss Bluff - Moss Bluff Library, located at 261 Parish Rd.
For additional voter information call the Registrar of Voters Office at (337) 721-4000, or visit geauxvote.com to view/print your ballot. For easier access, download the free mobile app. Below are items voters can expect to see on the ballot:
March 25 Election Run off Candidates include:
Lake Charles Mayor
Wilford Carter, Sr.
Nicholas "Nic" Hunter
Lake Charles City Council District B
Luvertha August
Nicole J. Moncrief
Lake Charles City Council District C
Eric Doshier
Rodney Geyen
Lake Charles City Council District F
"Rick" McClain
Johnnie Thibodeaux
Propositions, Sales Tax and Tax Renewals:
Fire Protection District # 3 of Ward 4, Calcasieu Parish
Millage Renewal
(Precincts 464, 404 partial, 405 partial 440 partial, 461 partial, 463 partial)
Sewerage District #11 of Wards 3 and 8 Tax Renewal
(West Calcasieu Precincts 361 partial and 861W partial)
Calcasieu Parish School Board, District 3 Sales Tax
(Precincts 160W - 167, 360 partial)
Community Center and Playground District #4 of Ward One Proposition
(Precincts 160W - 167, 360 partial)
Ward Two Fire Protection District #1 Proposition
(Precincts 260 partial, 261, 262)
Gravity Drainage District #2 of Ward 7 Proposition
(Precincts 700, 701, 702, 703, 760, 761
Partial Precinct of 460W, 469, 561, 562, 762)
Fire Protection District #1 of Ward Seven Proposition
(Precincts 760, Partial of 460W, 469, 561, 562, 700, 702, 761, 762)