VIDALIA &045; Qualifying for aldermen races in Vidalia and Ferriday ends today &045; and as of Thursday two districts in Ferriday were still without candidates.

Both towns have had to delay their elections several times because the redistricting process required after a new Census was not complete.

The U.S. Justice Department must sign off on redistricting plans, and that did not happen until last year.

Current aldermen’s terms were supposed to have ended June 30, 2004.

So far, all of the incumbent Vidalia aldermen have qualified, with a few challengers. In Ferriday, two incumbents have qualified.

A special election to fill an open alderman seat in Ridgecrest will also be held. As of Thursday afternoon, only Veller Carroll had qualified for that post.

Concordia Parish Clerk of Courts Clyde Ray Webber said those interested in running for the positions should come to the registrar’s office to determine which district they are in, then sign up in the clerk of courts office.

The qualifying fee to run for any of the offices is $80, payable by certified check or money order.

Qualifying ends at 5 p.m. today.

The election is set for April 2. The last day to register to vote is March 2, and absentee voting will be March 21-26.

A run-off election would be held April 23.

Candidates registered as of Thursday afternoon included:

Vidalia

4District 1, Carter Warner (incumbent) and Audrey Gray.

4District 2: Jerry A. Foster and Vernon Stevens Jr. (incumbent)

4District 3 (three aldermen will be elected from this district): Jon D. Betts (incumbent), Richard S. &uot;Ricky&uot; Knapp (incumbent) and Maureen &uot;Mo&uot; Saunders (incumbent).

Ferriday

4District A: None.

4District B: Elijah &uot;Stepper’s&uot; Banks

4District C: Jerome Harris Sr. (incumbent)

4District D: None.

4District E: Dorothy Johnson (incumbent) and Gloria Lloyd.