VIDALIA — Early voting for the April 2 special election for the Vidalia Police Chief race will start today.

The early-voting period will run from March 19-26, excluding Sunday March 20.

Interim police chief Arthur Lewis, Ferriday Police Department patrolman Sam King and criminal defense attorney Stuart Boykin are the three candidates up for the position.

The registrar of voters will open its offices at Concordia Parish Courthouse Suite K from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. today and Monday through Saturday for early voters.

In the state of Louisiana, all voters have the right to vote early.

Early voters need to identify themselves when they arrive with either a photo ID or a signature on a voter affidavit.

The election is to fill the unexpired term of former Vidalia police chief Ronnie “Tapper” Hendricks.

Hendricks resigned from his position Nov. 1 after being charged with lying to federal law enforcement agents by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Hendricks later pleaded guilty to the charge in federal court on Nov. 18 in Alexandria.

Hendricks was sentenced to six months in prison Feb. 25 by U.S. District Judge Dee Drell in Alexandria.

Lewis, who was previously serving as assistant chief, has been serving as interim chief since Hendricks’ resignation in November.