If you’ve been watching television it is hard to miss the countless commercials trying to influence your vote.
The election season kicks off Saturday, Sept. 6 with the first primary election, which will vie for the positions of U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative, District 4.
Several candidates qualified for the U.S. Senate race. J. Jacques Boudreaux, R-Baton Rouge; Richard Fontanesi, Libertarian-Baton Rouge; John Kennedy, R-Madisonville; Mary Landrieu (i), D-New Orleans; Jay Patel, I-Hammond; and Robert Stewart, Other-New Orleans are all challenging incumbent Mary Landrieu, D of New Orleans.
U.S. Rep. Jim McCrery announced his retirement many months ago and qualifying for the U.S. Representative seat were: Willie Banks, D-Lacamp; Gerard Bowen, Other-Bossier City; Artis ‘‘Doc’’ Cash, D-Shreveport; Paul Carmouche, D-Shreveport; John Fleming, R-Minden; Chris Gorman, R-Shreveport; Chester ‘‘Catfish’’ Kelley, I-Shreveport; John Milkovich, D-Keithville; and Jeff Thompson, R-Bossier City.
Early voting for the first primary will be held Saturday, Aug. 23 and Monday, Aug. 25 through Saturday, Aug. 30 at the Vernon Parish Registrar of Voters office located in Downtown Historic Leesville.
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.
The second primary will be held Saturday, Oct. 4. All races, including local elections, will be on this ballot, with the exception of the presidential race.
During the second primary, ballots for U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative are for party nominees, though if within each party one candidate receives the majority, 50 percent plus one vote will automatically be placed on the Nov. 4 ballot.
The second primary will also decide many local elections.
The following seats will either be filled or if there are more that two candidates a runoff will be determined. Candidates who qualified and the offices they seek to fill are listed below:
• School Board member District 1. One seat is to be filled: Barbara Haymon, Randi Schamerhorn Gleason, Wayne Hicks and Howard “Slick” Hunt.
• Constable, Ward 6: Thomas K. “Tommy” Jackson, Rabon Ulmer.
• Justice of Peace, Ward 6:  Tim McCarthy, Bobby Hickman.
• Constable, Ward 4: Dan Atchison, Andre Westlake.
• Justice of Peace, Ward 4: Arlene J. Cook, Billy Ray Foley.
• Justice of Peace, Ward 7: Lavell “Pete” Johnson, David P. Kennedy.
• Council Member, Anacoco, three to be elected: Archie Martin, Laverne Miers, C.W. Dowden and Howard Keith Lewing.
• District Attorney, one to be elected: Asa Skinner and A.C. “Chuck” Dowden, Jr.
• Judge, Division C: Clay Williams, James R. “Jim” Mitchell.
• Constable, Ward 8: R.G. “Ronnie” Hagan, Robert "Buddy" Singletary.
• Chief of Police, Anacoco: Randall Bryan, Lance A. Wilson.
• Chief of Police, Simpson: John Keller, Houston "Tully" Burns, Jr.
• Alderman, Simpson, three to be elected: Gerald Cooley, Carol Adams, Neva K. Wright.
Early voting for the second primary will be Saturday, Sept. 20 and Monday, Sept. 22 through Saturday, Sept. 27.
The General Election will be Tuesday, Nov. 4 and will decide who will be the President of the United States and also serve as a run-off for any other elections, if necessary. 
Sept. 3 will be the last day to register to vote or make changes to a voter registration for the second primary election.
All voters should call the Registrar’s office to ensure that their address and phone numbers on file are correct. For more information or to verify any voter information please call 337-239-3690.

Editor's Note
All candidates who wish to run their free announcement in the Leesville Daily Leader must submit it before close of business, 5 p.m. today, Aug. 15. Each candidate is eligible to publish one free announcement and will be assigned an advertising specialist to fill all of their advertising needs.