Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 18, § 604. Marshal of city or municipal court; temporary absence; vacancy

(2)(a) When the unexpired term exceeds one year, the chief deputy shall assume such duties and position and shall serve until the successor is elected and takes office. If there is no such person to assume the duties when the vacancy occurs, the appropriate governing authority shall within twenty days appoint a person having the qualifications of the office to assume the duties of the office until the successor is elected and takes office. However, if the deadline for making the appointment falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, then the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday shall be deemed to be the final day for making such appointment. If the appropriate governing authority fails to fill the vacancy within twenty days, the governor shall fill the vacancy. The appropriate governing authority shall, within twenty days after the vacancy occurs, issue a proclamation ordering a special election to fill the vacancy and shall specify in the proclamation, in accordance with R.S. 18:402, the dates on which the primary and general elections shall be held and, in accordance with R.S. 18:467 and 468, the dates of the qualifying period for candidates in the special election. However, if the deadline for issuing the proclamation falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, then the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday shall be deemed to be the final day for issuing such proclamation. If the appropriate governing authority fails to issue the proclamation within twenty days after the vacancy occurs, the governor shall issue the proclamation.

(b) The appropriate governing authority or, if the governor issued the proclamation, the secretary of state shall publish the proclamation in the official journal of the parish in which the election is to be held and also shall immediately send a copy of the proclamation by certified or registered mail to the clerk of the district court for the parish in which the vacancy occurred.

(c) A copy of the proclamation shall also be mailed to the secretary of state who shall within twenty-four hours after receipt of the information notify all election officials having any duty to perform in connection with a special election to fill such vacancy, including the parish board of election supervisors. When a special election is required, the appointee shall serve only until the successor is elected and takes office.