By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Monday marks the beginning of the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office’s annual Voter Registration Week, and registrar of voters offices across the River Parishes will be conducting voter registration drives in various communities in an effort to encourage more residents to get out and vote.

“The power to vote is a valuable right, and anyone who is capable of getting out and voting, no matter what the election is, is incredibly important,” said St. Charles Parish Registrar Brian J. Champagne. “Elections can be close, and every vote counts. If there is something you don’t like, make your voice heard.”

Events in all three parishes begin Monday and continue through Friday, May 18, at various locations in St. John the Baptist, St. James and St. Charles parishes.

Residents are also encouraged to visit www.geauxvote.com to register online or visit any of the registrar of voters offices in the region.

In St. John Parish, voter drives will be held Monday at the west bank post office, 2447 Louisiana Highway 18, Edgard, starting at 10 a.m. On Tuesday, a registering event will take place at the Southeast Louisiana War Veterans Home, 4080 West Airline Highway, Reserve, at 10:30 a.m. On Wednesday, a drive will be held at the LaPlace post office, 190 Belle Terre Blvd., LaPlace, starting at 10 a.m. St. John Parish events wrap up Thursday at the west bank Council on Aging Office, 155 E. Third St., Edgard, at 10 a.m.

In St. James Parish, Voter Registration Week is focusing on the high schools in an effort to target a younger generation of voters. The registration drives begin Monday and Tuesday at Lutcher High School, 1910 W. Main St., from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. On Wednesday, an event will be held at St. James High School, 5181 Wildcat St., from 11 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

In St. Charles Parish, registration events begin Tuesday at the St. Rose post office, 17724 River Road. On Tuesday, residents can register at the Winn Dixie Supermarket located at 12519 Airline Highway, Destrehan. On Friday, registrars will be at the Wal-Mart Supercenter, 13001 U.S. 90, in Boutte. All of the registering events begin at 9 a.m. and wrap up at 1 p.m.

In addition to the week’s activities, residents can always register to vote online or at any Office of Motor Vehicles, public assistance agency office, public school, college or public library.