Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 18, § 621. Vacancy in office of judge

A. (1) Within twenty-four hours after having knowledge of a vacancy in the office of a judge, including a vacancy by reason of a newly created judgeship, the supreme court shall give written notice to the governor that the vacancy exists, the date on which it occurred, and the cause thereof.

(2) If more than twelve months of the term remain unexpired, then within ten days after being notified of the vacancy, the governor shall determine the dates on which the special elections to fill the vacancy shall be held and the dates of the qualifying period and shall issue his proclamation ordering a special election and specifying the dates on which the primary and general elections will be held and the dates of the qualifying period for the 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.

(3) The governor shall call any special election to fill a newly created judgeship or a vacancy in an existing judgeship in accordance with the dates for elections set forth in R.S. 18:402, if such dates can be utilized to fill a newly created judgeship or fill a vacancy in an existing judgeship within the period of time prescribed in Article V, Section 22(B) of the Louisiana Constitution. In selecting the dates for such special elections, the governor shall first choose a gubernatorial or congressional election date; if no such date is available during the constitutionally prescribed time period, the governor shall then select another election date, as provided for in R.S. 18:402.