By JIM BUTLER

A March election has been called to fill the unexpired term of 9th Judicial Judge John C. Davidson, whose resignation was effective Sept. 1.

A special vote, rather than a gubernatorial executive appointment, is required when more than two months remain in the term.

Davidson’s term was to expire in 2025.

Davidson joined the court, which has seven jurists, in 2004, elected from Election Section 2, Division D.

Qualifying for the March 23, 2024 primary will open Dec. 13 and close at 4:30 p.m. Dec. 15.

If a runoff is necessary will be on April 27. 

About 10,400 cases were filed in 9th District Court last year, according to the Louisiana Supreme Court Annual Report, about 300 fewer than the previous year.

Statewide, 507,000 cases were filed in district courts across 64 parishes.

The 2022 Rapides case breakdown: 800 juvenile, 3,400 civil, 2,900 criminal, 3,200 traffic.

According to the report, there were 20 trials in the 9th District last year — 3 civil and 17 criminal.

The report does stipulate but it is most likely none of the 20 cases tried were 2022 filings.

Contact Jim at jimbutler76@gmail.com