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St. Martinville council sets May 3 special election on adopting Lawrason Act
Summary
The City Council voted March 3 to call a May 3 special election asking voters whether St. Martinville should adopt the Lawrason Act form of government; canvass of returns is scheduled for May 19. The resolution restates an earlier call and sets precincts, polling hours and publication requirements.
The St. Martinville City Council on March 3 adopted a resolution calling a special election on Saturday, May 3, 2025, asking registered city voters whether the city should adopt the Lawrason Act form of government, which would provide for governance by a mayor and a board of aldermen.
Councilwoman Flo Chatman offered the resolution, which Councilwoman Janise Anthony seconded; the resolution restates the Council’s February call and specifies polling hours of 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., designates city precincts 3, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15 and 23, requires publication of notice in the city’s official journal, and directs the clerk to furnish election paraphernalia and certified copies to state and parish officials. The resolution was declared adopted by the Council.
Exhibit A to the resolution sets the estimated cost of the election at $23,100 as determined by the Secretary of State and schedules the official canvass of returns for Monday, May 19, 2025 at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall, 120 S. New Market Street. The notice text submitted with the resolution reproduces the ballot proposition language required by La. R.S. 33:321 et seq.
Mayor Jason Willis and council members discussed logistics and directed the clerk and mayor to take any further action required by state or federal law to arrange the election, including forwarding certified copies of the resolution to the Secretary of State, the parish clerk of court, the registrar of voters and the parish custodian of voting machines.
The Council also announced town-hall meetings on the election format: March 6 and March 11 at 6:00 p.m., each to include an introduction by Candy Bertrand, a presentation by Karen White of Karen White Consultant, invited remarks from officials from neighboring municipalities, a question-and-answer period for the audience, and live streaming on Facebook.
Next steps: the City will publish the required notices, prepare polling arrangements for the designated precincts, and meet on May 19 to canvass the returns.
