The qualifying period for candidates hoping to win office in the Oct. 14 elections (or Nov. 18 runoffs) opened yesterday, Aug. 8, and will remain open only through Thursday, Aug. 10.
While the big names on the ballot will be the state races for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer, commissioner of agriculture, commissioner of insurance and BESE board member, the real interest for Winn voters is focused on the local races.
Always in the focus of voters is the race for sheriff. Other offices up for election are those of clerk of court, assessor, coroner and members of the Police Jury. There will also be special elections to fill vacancies for the positions of alderman in both the villages of Sikes and Atlanta as well as justice of the peace for Ward 8.
District offices to be decided are state representatives and state senators (with Winn divided into three senate districts). All Winn candidates, including any for state representative, will make their official filing for candidacy in the Office of the Clerk of Court in the Winn Parish Courthouse.
Filing fee for each of the parish-wide offices as well as the state representatives is $225. Any candidate who files as either a Democrat or Republican will see that fee rise to $337.50 due to a state party fee. The local party committee in each case has waived fees they could otherwise charge. Filing fees for police jury candidates are $115 and $172.50.
Early voting for the Saturday, Oct. 14, primary election will be Sept. 30 through Oct. 10. In those races where a runoff is necessary, early voting for the Saturday, Nov. 18, general election will be held Nov. 3 through Nov. 11.
