Political races always bring out the gossip mongers, and especially in today’s world of social media.
Candidates suddenly realize that by qualifying for public office that have , in effect, invited the world to look at their personal lives as much as their qualifications.
It just goes with the territory.
It’s much like columnists/bloggers who often become targets by being the messenger.To run for the Caddo Commission, a candidate must have been domiciled in the district for a year prior to qualifying.
Domicile is different from residency.
A person can only have one domicile–but several residences. Think those that live "in town" but have a cabin on the lake.
Louisiana law has traditionally held that domicile consists of 2 elements–a residence and intent to remain. Determination of a party’s intent to change his domicile must be based on the actual state of facts.
There is not one litmus paper test for domicile–it is the subjective intent to maintain a place of "habitual residence." Objective indicia of "intent" includes voter registration, voting locations within the last year, address on drivers license, home ownership, utility bills. etc.
Chris David is a candidate for Caddo Commission District 4. This is Matthew Lynn’s district; Lynn is termed out. The other candidates are James Carstensen and John-Paul Young.
David voted for mayor last year in precinct 22. This precinct in not in District 4. David changed his voter registration the previous month to a residence that is in the district.
Election challenges are not that unusual. State senator Greg Tarver just filed one this morning challenging the domicile of Barbara Norton, an opponent in his senate race.
Any challenge to David’s candidacy must be filed by Thursday.
