Who will Louisiana voters choose as CEO of elections, Shreveport senator, Lafayette mayor?

Early voting began Friday for Louisiana's Nov. 18 election when voters will make critical choices on who will be responsible for keeping elections safe and secure, who will be the state's top lawyer and who will be the state's banker.

Four proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution are also on the statewide ballot, while a Shreveport state Senate race featuring Democrats Cedric Glover and Sam Jenkins and the Lafayette mayor's race pitting incumbent Josh Guillory against challenger Monique Blanco Boulet highlight regional and local races.

Early voting will continue from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily Nov. 3-Nov. 11 except for Sunday, Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov. 10 to observe Veterans Day.

In the race for secretary of state, the campaign to become Louisiana chief elections officer is between Republican Nancy Landry and Democrat Gwen Collins Greenup. They advanced to the runoff after being separated by fewer than 1,000 votes in the Oct. 14 primary election in which Landry finished first. Current Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin didn't seek reelection.

Republican Liz Murrill, who finished first in the primary election with 45%, faces Democrat Lindsey Cheek, who finished second with 23% to advance to the runoff. Current Attorney General Jeff Landry won the governor's race outright in the Oct. 14 primary.

Republican John Fleming, who finished first in the primary election with 44%, faces Democrat Dustin Granger, who finished second with 32%, to advance to the runoff. Current Treasurer John Schroder gave up the office to run an unsuccessful campaign for governor.

Proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution include: expanding rules to overturn a governor's vetoes; removing six inactive funds with zero or near-zero balances from the Constitution; allowing parish governments to grant additional property tax exemptions for first responders; and tighten rules on how the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund can be used.

Glover and Jenkins of Shreveport both currently serve in the state House of Representatives. Jenkins finished first in the Senate District 39 primary election with 34%, while Glover finished with 26% to advance to the runoff election.

In the Lafayette mayor's race, the incumbent Republican Guillory finished first in the primary with 40%, while Boulet, also a Republican, finished second with 34% to advance to the runoff.

More: Explaining the amendments to the Louisiana Constitution on the Nov. 18 ballot

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. 

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Early voting begins for Louisiana elections CEO, Shreveport senator