By ROBIN SHANNON
L’Observateur

BATON ROUGE — Louisiana Secretary of State Jay Dardenne has declared the week of Aug. 24-28 as Voter Registration Week and registrar of voters’ offices across the River Parishes have scheduled a wealth of events to encourage all residents to register.

In St. John Parish, representatives from the registrar of voters’ office will conduct registration drives at high schools and senior centers on both sides of the river. St. John Registrar of Voters Betty Madere said the parish’s goal is to encourage more teenagers to register and inform senior citizens of some of the new early voting options.

“Those who are 65 years of age or older or are mobility impaired may now receive an election ballot by mail,” Madere said. “Many seniors are not aware of this new convenience.”

Madere said representatives from her office will conduct drives at West St. John High School on Monday, Aug. 24, and East St. John High School on Wednesday, Aug. 26. Volunteers will be at the Frank G. Lapeyrolerie/Leola Montz Council on Aging Activity Center, located at 214 Regala Park Road in Reserve, on Monday and at the Edgard Senior Center, located at 150 E Second St., on Tuesday, Aug. 25. Madere said her office would also visit the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home in Reserve, but said no time has been determined.

To conclude the week, a registering drive will take place in front of the Wal-Mart store on Airline Highway Friday afternoon. For more information on times, contact the registrar’s office at 985-652-9569.

In St. Charles Parish, Registrar of Voters Brian Champagne said his office would be out at area post offices encouraging people to register.

The registrars’ office will be at the Norco Post Office, located at 555 Apple St., on Monday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Ama Post Office, located at 10833 River Road, from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., on Tuesday, and at the Des Allemands Post Office, located at 1742 U.S. 90, on Wednesday from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

In St. James Parish, the registrars’ office will conduct drives at Lutcher High School Monday morning and at St. James High School on Tuesday morning. There will also be a voting drive at First Baptist Church, located at 1244 Magnolia Heights St., in Vacherie on Sunday.

Anyone who wishes to register to vote or change information on their registration can visit www.geauxvote.com, or contact the registrar of voters’ office.