PORT ALLEN — In addition to the statewide offices that are headed to a runoff, West Baton Rouge Parish voters will also be deciding who will be the parish’s top law enforcement officer.
Voters elected a new parish president in October. Voter turnout could play a pivotal role in who wins the runoff race.
UWK has a look at what’s on the ballot as early voting begins.
View your sample ballot & check registration here
ELECTION DAY
Election day is November 18. Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. All voters in line at 8 p.m. have the right to vote.
When you go to the polls to cast your vote in an election, be sure to take one of the following:
- a driver’s license;
- a Louisiana Special ID;
- LA Wallet digital driver’s license;
- a United States military identification card that contains your name and picture; or
- some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature.
Use the Louisiana Voter Portal to find where you vote on election day, or call your parish Registrar of Voters Office.
Download the free GeauxVote app to find your voting precinct and to view your sample ballot.
Read the UWK election guide on all statewide races
SHERIFF
Jeff Bergeron and Leo Fontenot are headed to a run-off for sheriff. The two candidates edged out Zack Zimmers in October to replace longtime sheriff Mike Cazes who announced his retirement earlier this year.
“Jeff” Bergeron
Bergeron has been deputy director of investigations with the Louisiana Attorney General’s Office since 1992 where he oversees criminal investigations within the Cyber Crime Unit, Trial Unit, Special Investigations Unit and Fugitive Apprehension Unit. He is a 2009 graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico and is POST-certified firearms instructor and POST training coordinator with the AG’s office.
“As your next Sheriff, I pledge to operate the office with the highest level of honesty, integrity, and professionalism. West Baton Rouge residents deserve a leader who will prioritize the needs of our growing parish and make an immediate impact on how we respond to crime and restore trust to this office.”
Leo Fontenot
Fontenot has been with the West Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff’s Office for the past 30 years. He worked his way up from a jailer to chief administrative officer where he oversee the day-to-day operations of the administrative office, courts and security. In 2000, he became the first African American motorcycle officer in WBR.
“With serving a total of 30 years in West Baton Rouge, I will continue to be the same public servant, for the same parish, with the same purpose: to protect and serve the people of OUR parish. My ultimate goal is to maintain the efficiency in the operations of this office in hopes of making the people of our parish feel seen, heard, and understood.
CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS
Voters will be deciding on four additional constitutional amendments. These are additional amendments to the ones that were on the October ballot.
UWK is sharing information about the amendments from the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR), a nonpartisan educational and research organization.
PAR Guide to the 2023 Constitutional Amendments
Amendment 1: Deadlines to veto bills and rules for veto session
A vote FOR would: Allow lawmakers to try to override a governor’s bill rejections without calling a separate veto session if they are already in a legislative session and add further details about the deadlines for a governor to veto bills.
A vote AGAINST would: Require lawmakers trying to override a governor’s bill rejections to hold a separate veto session if the vetoes came in a legislative session that has ended and keep the current rules for a governor to issue bill vetoes.
Amendment 2: Repeal of inactive special funds in the constitution
A vote FOR would: Remove six inactive funds with zero or near-zero balances from the Louisiana Constitution.
A vote AGAINST would: Keep the six inactive funds with zero or near-zero balances in the Louisiana Constitution.
Amendment 3: Property tax exemptions for first responders
A vote FOR would: Allow a parish governing authority to give an extra property tax exemption to police, firefighters and certain other first responders who own homes and live in the parish.
A vote AGAINST would: Maintain the current property tax system, which doesn’t let parish governing authorities offer the extra
tax break to first responders.
Amendment 4: Rule changes for the revenue stabilization trust fund
A vote FOR would: Tighten the rules on allowed use of a seven-year-old state trust fund that collects dollars from corporate tax collections and oil and gas production in
Louisiana.
A vote AGAINST would: Maintain broad rules for emergency use of a seven-year-old state trust fund that collects dollars from corporate tax collections and gas production in Louisiana.
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