LAFAYETTE PARISH, LA — As Americans watched President Donald Trump officially take office, residents in Louisiana’s Lafayette Parish are preparing to head back to the polls for a special election this weekend.
On Saturday, February 15, voters in District 23 will cast their ballots to select a new state senator following the vacancy left by Jean Paul Coussan, who was recently elected to the Public Service Commission. District 23 includes parts of Lafayette Parish as well as the cities of Broussard, Scott, and Youngsville. The election will see nearly 90,000 registered voters eligible to participate.
In addition to the District 23 Senate race, East Baton Rouge voters in District 14 will also head to the polls on February 15 to choose a successor to Cleo Fields, who was elected to Congress in November.
The timing of the special election comes on the heels of a presidential election that saw record voter turnout in November. However, Louisiana’s local elections, including this one, often see much lower participation. According to Kaylee Trisler, a spokesperson with the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office, local elections typically attract only 10-20% of registered voters, a stark contrast to the broader turnout for higher-profile races like presidential or congressional elections.
“Unfortunately, local elections have a much lower turnout than higher-profile elections like presidential, congressional, or statewide races,” Trisler said. “But just like presidential elections, local races play a critical role in shaping communities.”
Trisler urged voters to recognize the importance of local elections, which directly impact daily life in ways that may not always be immediately apparent.
“Decisions made at the local level often have more immediate effects on people’s lives than many realize,” she added. “We really want to encourage people to turn out for these elections.”
Along with the February 15 special election, the Secretary of State’s website also outlines that municipal elections will take place on March 29. These elections will include races for several local offices, as well as four proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution.
Early voting for the special election begins on February 1, providing voters with an opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of the main voting day.
For more information on voting locations and early voting options, residents are encouraged to visit the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website.
As Louisiana heads into another election cycle, local officials hope to see higher voter engagement and participation in these crucial elections that shape the state’s future.