Early voting for Oct. 2 primary elections begins today and runs through next Saturday in registrar of voters' offices throughout the region.

Absentee voting for the primary election begins today at the Avoyelle Registrar of Voters Office, Second floor, Courthouse, Marksville and at the Pointe Coupee Registrar of Voters Office, 211 E. Main St., Room 103, New Roads.

Hours are every day through Sept. 25 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., except for Sunday, when balloting is suspended.

Registered voters no longer need a reason to vote early in Louisiana. They are asked to bring photo identification or a voter affidavit with signature in order to vote.

The only statewide election on the ballot is the race to succeed New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu as lieutenant governor, where eight candidates have qualified.

Among the major elections in Avoyelles are the

Mansura and Moreauville mayoral and council elections, and police jury and school board elections.

In Pointe Coupee, elections are being held for mayor and council of New Roads.

Two statewide constitutional amendments are also on the ballot statewide. One concerns changing the convening date of the Legislature and effective date of legislation, while the second proposes to remove state civil service protection for all employees in the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.

U.S. congressional elections willl not be on the ballot during this election. Those races will be held on Nov. 2, at the same time any runoffs from this election will be held.