New Orleans election Saturday: What to know

The big picture: Just a small handful of Louisiana parishes are participating in this special primary election — Orleans, St. Bernard, Calcasieu, Jefferson Davis, Assumption and Iberville.

• If needed, candidates will return for a March 14 runoff.

Zoom in: In New Orleans, two of the open positions are the result of voters sending state lawmakers Matt Willard and Jason Hughes to the City Council.

• The third seat was vacated when Joe Bouie left the state Senate to serve as Southern University New Orleans chancellor. Go deeper.

Who's running: All candidates in each race are Democrats.

• State Senator, 3rd District (New Orleans East, Gentilly, 9th Ward, St. Bernard): Kenn Barnes, Sidney Barthelemy II, Jon Johnson and Chad Lauga.
• The Times-Picayune has interviews with each.
• State Representative, 97th District (Gentilly): Eugene Green III and "Ed" Murray.
• WDSU held a debate for the seat.
• State Representative, 100th District (New Orleans East): Patricia Boyd Robertson, Dana Henry, Aeisha Kelly, Kenya Rounds and Candice Taylor.
• The Times-Picayune spoke with each.

Between the lines: Saturday is a big parade day in New Orleans, so it's likely that a small number of voters will make a significant difference in the races.

• Just more than 4,000 voters in Orleans Parish turned out to vote early, according to the Secretary of State's office.

If you go: Tuesday is the final day to request an absentee ballot, which must be returned by Friday at 4:30pm.

• Polls are open for in-person voting Saturday from 7am to 8pm.

What's next: Find your polling place and see sample ballots here.