Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
St. Martin Parish council interviews four applicants for registrar of voters; vote set for Tuesday
Loading...
Summary
The St. Martin Parish Council held a special meeting Jan. 26 to interview candidates for registrar of voters. Three applicants gave detailed accounts of election experience; one was absent. The council will vote at its regular meeting after filing paperwork with the Secretary of State.
The St. Martin Parish Council met in a special session Jan. 26 to interview applicants for the parish Registrar of Voters position, a role the clerk said requires coordination with the Secretary of State and formal council approval.
Three applicants appeared for oral interviews. Trish Hammond, who said she is a lifelong resident and registered voter, told the council she has "23 years of hands-on experience with St. Martin Parish elections," including qualifying candidates, liaising with the Secretary of State, and staffing and training election-day commissioners. Hammond said election-day staffing can include as many as about 280 workers and emphasized strict adherence to election law and impartial treatment of voters: "When I'm working, I am there to do my job. I am there to serve them as a voter, not as a personal friend or acquaintance." She gave her residence as 1060 Germaine Street, St. Martinville.
A second candidate was introduced as Jamie O'Neil (the transcript also refers to this speaker in places as "Miss Ogeo"). He described experience assisting the registrar's office in Lafayette Parish, helping open early-voting sites and supporting budget needs, and cited military and local government management experience. He emphasized outreach and ensuring accessibility for residents in Lower St. Martin Parish.
Mister Crockett, another applicant, said he is a lifelong parish resident from Breaux Bridge and a registered voter who has worked in election operations and training in Election District 24 for more than 10 years. He described a background in the public sector, oil-and-gas industry, and higher-education teaching and said those roles involved supervising large groups and administrative responsibilities. He gave his residence as 510 Dorset Street, Breaux Bridge.
The final listed applicant, identified in the notice as Jessica De Vierier, was not present for the scheduled interview; the clerk noted her absence and that her name would be moved to the end of the list if she arrived before the meeting ended.
The clerk explained the council drew interview order at random and that the council will not vote at the special meeting. She said the council will "do the vote at the council meeting" on Tuesday after required paperwork is filed with the Secretary of State. After the interviews concluded, Councilmember Melisone moved to adjourn, Councilmember Corville seconded, and the council adjourned.
No formal appointment vote or tally occurred during the special meeting. The next procedural step specified by council staff is filing the chosen applicant's paperwork with the Secretary of State and conducting a live vote at the council's regular Tuesday meeting.
