Why District 69 Is Holding a Special Election
Baton Rouge’s House District 69 will hold a special election after Rep. Paula Davis resigned from office. Once the resignation became official, state and local officials moved quickly to begin the process of filling the vacant seat. Louisiana law sets clear rules for special elections, including how soon qualifying must open and when voters head to the polls.
Officials worked with Nancy Landry to confirm the election timeline and ensure the district follows state requirements.
Important Dates for Voters and Candidates
The special election will take place on March 14. Candidate qualifying will run from Wednesday, Jan. 28, through Friday, Jan. 30. That short window gives potential candidates limited time to officially enter the race.
As of now, the District 69 race is expected to be the only item on the ballot. Only registered voters who live within District 69 will be eligible to vote in the election.
If no candidate wins a majority on March 14, the race will move to a runoff election later in the spring.
How the Election Affects the Legislative Session
The timing of the election matters. The legislative session begins on March 9, just days before voters cast their ballots. According to Philip DeVilliers, District 69 will only have full representation during session if a candidate wins outright in the March election.
If the race goes to a runoff, the new representative would not take office in time to file legislation. They could still vote once sworn in, but they would miss key bill deadlines.
What Voters Should Expect
This election gives District 69 voters a direct voice during an active legislative session. With qualifying approaching quickly, residents should stay informed and prepare to vote on March 14.