By JIM MUSTIAN

Staff Reporter

LAPLACE – It’s almost that time of year again – time to go out and cast your ballot or forever hold your peace.

While the national presidential campaigns have dominated headlines and likely made their way into most living rooms, St. John the Baptist Parish residents will have some additional, more local decisions to make before Election Day in November.

The St. John Clerk of Court office opens a three-day qualifying period today for candidates running for public office.

According to the clerk of court office, local offices up for vote this fall include: 40th Judicial Court district judges, 40th Judicial Court district attorney, justices of the peace, constables (Justice of the Peace Courts) public service commissioner and District 5 school board member (special election).

The primary for those offices is set for Oct. 4. Candidates qualify by paying state and parish fees or gathering hundreds of signatures on a nominating petition.

Qualifying ends Friday afternoon.

For the U.S. senator and representative contests, this year marks the return of the closed primary, which means party primaries will be held Sept. 6. Only registered Republicans can vote in the Republican primary while registered Democrats and Independents can cast their ballots in the democratic primary.

If necessary, a party runoff for those offices would then be held Oct. 4 with the open general election set for Nov. 4 to accompany the presidential election.

For more information on the elections and voter registration, visit www.stjohnclerk.org.