Southwest Louisiana Voters Head Back to the Polls May 4

⁣⁣🗳️ SWLA Votes  - Mat 3, 2025: Lake Charles, DeRidder & More Head Back to the Polls This Saturday Local Races & Tax Proposals on the Ballot May 4 – Here’s What You Need to Know!

Voters in Lake Charles, DeRidder, Westlake, Jennings, and beyond – your next chance to make your voice heard is THIS SATURDAY, May 4! 🗳️

Mayors, city council members, school bonds, police & fire renewals – Southwest Louisiana has big decisions to make this weekend! 💥

🔥 WHEN TO VOTE
Election Day: Saturday, May 3, 2025

Absentee Ballot Request Deadline: April 29 📍 Visit GeauxVote.com for polling locations and sample ballots. For more details contact the Louisiana Secretary of State at sos.la.gov or contact the Calcasieu Registrar of Voters at (337) 721-4000

🗳️ BIG RACES TO WATCH
🔹 Lake Charles
Mayor:

Nicholas “Nic” Hunter (R) – incumbent

Marshall Simien Jr. (Ind)

City Council District C:

Tommy Bilbo (D)

Priscilla Sam (D)

Law Enforcement Sales Tax Renewal

A ½% tax renewal to fund deputy salaries, public safety divisions, and emergency reserves.

Would collect about $33.5 million per year, through 2036.

🔹 DeRidder
Mayor:

Michael D. Harris (Ind)

Danny Reynolds (R)

🔹 Jennings
City Council District A:

Elisha Neal Duhon (R)

Carolyn King Simon (No Party)

💸 LOCAL TAX PROPOSITIONS

📍 Allen Parish
Hospital District No. 3 Tax Renewal:

3 mills for 10 years ��� for hospital facility upgrades and operations.

Estimated at $189,000/year

Village of Elizabeth – 1% Sales Tax (New, Forever):

For roads, drainage, sewer, water, safety, public buildings

Estimated at $78,000/year

📍 Beauregard Parish
Parishwide School Bond Proposal:

Up to $30 million over 20 years for school improvements

No estimated millage increase (stays at 17.80 mills)

📍 Calcasieu Parish
Law Enforcement Sales Tax Renewal (detailed above)

📍 City of Westlake – 4 Propositions:
Fire Dept. Millage Renewal

10 mills for 10 years – approx. $705,000/year

Police Dept. Millage Renewal

10 mills for 10 years – approx. $705,000/year

1% Sales Tax Renewal

Funds for fire, sewer, parks & employee salaries

Est. $1.5 million/year

½% Sales Tax Renewal

Supports Westlake Police Dept.

Est. $750,000/year