Several local elections will be decided Saturday, Oct. 4 as Vernon Parish residents head to the polls.
The primary election will be held Saturday, Oct. 4 and polls will be open from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m.
In Anacoco, three council seats are up for election. C.W. Dowden, Howard Keith Lewing, Archie Martin and LaVerne Miers are competing for the seats, while incumbent Randall Bryan is running against Lance A. Wilson for the position of chief of police.
Houston “Tully” Burns, Jr.  and John Keller are running for the position of chief of police for the Village of Simpson.
In Ward 4, Arlene J. Cook and Billy Ray Foley are running for the position of justice of the peace,  while Dan Atchison and Andre Westlake compete for the position of constable.
Ward 7 is also facing electing both a constable and a justice of the peace, with Lavell "Pete" Johnson and David P. Kennedy, II vying for justice of the peace and Lealon Johnson and Stacy R. Lewis facing off over the constable seat.
R. G. “Ronnie” Hagan and “Bobby” Singletary are running for constable in Ward 8.
Bobby Hillman and “Tim” McCarthy are vying for the position of justice of the peace in Ward 6, while Thomas "Tommy" Jackson and Rabon Ulmer compete for the position of constable.
School Board District 1 has an opening due to the resignation of Rep. James Armes. Four candidates qualified for the position: Randi Schamerhorn Gleason, Barbara Haymon, Wayne Hicks and Howard “Slick” Hunt.
The current district attorney,  Bill Tilley, announced his retirement last year. A.C. “Chuck” Dowden and Asa Skinner qualified for the position earlier this summer and are on the Oct. 4 ballot.
Thirtieth Judicial District Judge Lester Kees for Divison C, announced his retirement as well, and two qualified for that position. Jim Mitchell and Clay Williams, both local attorneys, are facing off in the election.
Voters will also decide which candidates vying for U.S. Representative, 4th Congressional District will meet in the general election.
Six candidates have signed up to run for U.S. Representative, 4th Congressional District, which is being vacated by retiring U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery: Democrats Willie Banks, Paul J. Carmouche, Artis “Doc” Cash  and John Milkovich and Republicans John Fleming, “Chris” Gorman and “Jeff” Thompson.
There are five recognized parties in Louisiana; Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Reform and Green. Registered Republicans or Democrats must vote within their party during the first primary.
Registered Libertarian, Reform or Green Party members may vote within their registered party or for a Democratic candidate.
For information about where to vote or if you are unsure which party you are registered with please call 337-239-3690.