BATON ROUGE — A local prosecutor's request to boost the size of his staff goes before East Baton Rouge Parish voters as early voting opens this weekend, and in St. George residents will start filling out the new city's first council.

Balloting begins Saturday across most of south Louisiana for the May 3 municipal general election; five parishes in the Baton Rouge metro area have no races.

The East Baton Rouge Parish ballot includes a new 4-mill property tax that would generate funds to expand the district attorney’s office. Prosecutor Hillar Moore III says the money is needed to combat crime and to tackle a backlog in court cases.

The tax would bring in about $24 million a year and be in effect for 20 years. For a house valued at $200,000, the annual tax would be $80, though for many a homestead exemption reduces the amount owed.

St. George voters are completing the lineup for its first city council. Republican Patty Cook and independent David Madaffari are running for the District 4 post, while Republican Jim Talbot and Democrat Shaunn Wyche each seek the last remaining at-large seat. They're the only candidates left over from a March 29 primary.

In Old South Baton Rouge, Democrats Terry Landry Jr., Sonny Marchbanks and Malcolm Myer hope to replace Larry Selders in the state House. Selders was elected in March to a state Senate seat. If no one wins a majority in the May 3 election, the runoff election will be June 7 — five days before the scheduled end of this year’s legislative session.

The East Baton Rouge School District has five tax renewals on the ballot, worth of total of 19.87 mills, and the Central Community School Board wants permission to borrow up to $35 million for up to 20 years. The money would be used for capital expenditures.

Zachary voters are being asked to change the city’s home rule charter. The change would set residency requirements for council members and say city department heads don’t have to live in the city. It also sets out budget deadlines and says the city cannot agree on a new budget, the existing one would remain in effect but at a level that is 10 percent lower.

In Livingston, St. Helena and Tangipahoa parishes, voters are selecting a juvenile court judge to replace Judge Blair Edwards, who was elected to the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal. 

Jenny Fore, from Livingston Parish, formerly clerked for Edwards in juvenile court and is an assistant public defender. Jessica Ledet is from St. Helena Parish and is the prosecutor for the town of Independence in Tangipahoa Parish. She also represents parents in the 21st Judicial District court for children in need of care.

There are no statewide races or issues on the ballot. There are no contests in Assumption, East Feliciana, Pointe Coupee, West Baton Rouge and West Feliciana parishes.

Early voting runs through April 26. Locations are available at the Secretary of State's website.

Races from other parishes are:

ASCENSION PARISH

The Belle Maison and Belle Savanne subdivisions are each seeking a 15-mill property tax to pay for public infrastructure including streets, bridges and drainage. Both taxes have no sunset date.

IBERVILLE PARISH

The parish is seeking to retain a 4-mill property tax to support libraries. The tax, which would last another 15 years, is expected to raise $4.8 million a year.

LIVINGSTON PARISH

The last of five aldermen posts is being selected in Killian, with Trevor Clardy facing Bryce Felps, and across Livingston Parish, voters are considering a 7-mill property tax renewal for maintenance and equipment in schools. The tax would generate nearly $5 million annually.

ST. HELENA PARISH

The 21st JDC election is the only race on the ballot.

ST. JAMES PARISH

The parish is seeking renewal of six property taxes for fire protection, hospital services, library, public buildings, roads and 911 service. The total is 22.25 mills. It also is seeking permission to borrow up to $20 million for 20 years for road construction and drainage projects.

Elsewhere, the recreation districts for Gramercy and much of the west bank are seeking 1-mill renewals, and the lighting district for areas outside Gramercy and Lutcher is also seeking a 1-mill property tax renewal.

ST. MARY PARISH

The fire protection district at Cypremort Point and the Consolidated Gravity Drainage District No. 2 around Morgan City are each seeking property tax renewals. The fire district tax is worth $60,000 annually, and the drainage tax would raise $385,000 a year.

TANGIPAHOA PARISH

The 21st JDC election is the only race on the ballot.