Broussard and Youngsville, LA (February 6, 2026) – If you’ve ever looked at a sample ballot for Broussard and then one for Youngsville, you may have noticed something that feels confusing at first glance: one city uses districts, while the other uses divisions.
While the terms are sometimes used casually as if they mean the same thing, they actually describe different ways cities organize representation. Understanding the difference helps voters know who represents them — and why local government may function a little differently from one city to the next.
Louisiana municipalities like Broussard and Youngsville operate under the Lawrason Act (R.S. 33:321 et seq.), which sets the rules for city government and elections. The Lawrason Act lets cities choose their own system — districts, divisions, or a mix — giving each city flexibility to decide how residents are represented.
Districts:
- Geographic areas of the city
- Only residents of a district vote for their council member
- Ensures neighborhood-specific representation
- Example: Broussard
Divisions:
- Numbered council seats, may or may not match neighborhoods
- Voters may vote citywide for multiple divisions
- Focuses on citywide representation
- Example: Youngsville
How Broussard Uses Districts
The City of Broussard is divided into geographic districts. Each district represents a specific area of the city with defined boundaries. A city council member is elected to represent that district and must live within it. Only voters who live in that district vote for that council seat.
District-based systems are designed to ensure that all areas of a city — neighborhoods, subdivisions, and communities — have direct representation. This approach can be especially helpful as a city grows, making sure no single area dominates decision-making and that local concerns from different parts of the city are heard.
How Youngsville Uses Divisions
The City of Youngsville, on the other hand, uses divisions. Council seats are assigned by division number (such as Division A, Division B, and so on), but those divisions are not necessarily tied to specific geographic neighborhoods in the same way districts are.
In many division-based systems, candidates qualify for a specific division, but voters across the city may be able to vote for all division seats. This structure emphasizes a more citywide approach to governance, where council members are accountable to the entire community rather than a single area.
Why Cities Choose Different Systems
These systems are not chosen randomly. They are typically established in a city’s charter and shaped by history, population size, and how the city has grown over time.
Some cities adopt districts as population increases to ensure equal representation across neighborhoods. Others retain a division system because it has historically worked well for the community or reflects a preference for citywide representation.
Importantly, neither system is “right” or “wrong.” Each reflects a different philosophy about how local leadership should represent residents.
Why This Matters to Voters
Knowing whether your city uses districts or divisions helps voters understand:
- Which council seats they can vote for
- Who represents their area — or the city as a whole
- How accountability works within local government
As election season approaches, understanding these differences allows residents to ask better questions, follow campaigns more closely, and participate more confidently in local civic life.
