VIDALIA — Many voters may not realize that, overshadowed by some higher profile elections, the election of their district constable is essentially the voter appointment of another law enforcement officer.

In fact, the constable has as much authority as the Sheriff or any other law enforcement officer in their district, incumbent District 3 Constable said Earl Cotten, a Democrat.

The constable’s role is, essentially, a microcosm of the office of sheriff at the district level.

“(As constable), I am the only one who has the authority to arrest the sheriff and he is the only one who has the authority to arrest me,” Cotten said.

Whereas the justice of the peace fills the role of judge for minor disputes and marriages in their respective districts to keep legal matters such as evictions from cluttering up the district court, the constable enforces of the justice of the peace’s rulings.

The constable not only does paperwork for the justice of the peace, but also makes sure all of the parties involved in a matter before the justice are served papers, said Republican Susan Rabb — who is challenging Cotten for the position.

“If I had to serve someone papers because they were evicted, I would try to do it in a nice way because I’m a nice person, but if you have got to go you have got to go,” Rabb said.

After the former justice of the peace was incapacitated due to an accident, Cotten said a justice of the peace from a neighboring district took over, and instead of assigning matters to him delegated them to the constable from his own district.

With a new justice to be elected this time, Cotten said he looks forward do doing more work as constable.

“I’ll do the best job I can,” he said. “I like the duty.”

Rabb said she looked forward to the opportunity get to know people.

“I live in the middle of the district, and it’s something I can do go get to know people in my community,” she said.