Eula Thomas, Thelma Toussaint, Tim Lavigne, Alexis Celestine, Lou Anderson, Rita
T'homas, and James Thomas filed written complaints alleging that Wanda Skinner (Evangeline
Parish School Board Member, District 8) does not reside at 717 Rozas St., Ville Platte, Louisiana,
which is the address stated on Wanda Skinner's "Officeholder's Notice of Candidacy."
Complainants Thelma Toussaint, Lou Anderson, James Thomas, and Rita Thomas are voters
lawfully registered within Evangeline Parish School Board District & (hereinafter referred to as
"District 8") as required by Louisiana R.S. 18:672.
Louisiana law states that a school board member who changes his domicile from the district
he represents shall thereby vacate his seat, any declaration of retention of domicile to the contrary
notwithstanding.' As per Louisiana Revised Statute 18:671, "designated domicile" means the
residence or domicile stated on an officeholder's notice of candidacy. Residency requires "actual,
physical use or occupation for living purposes before residence is established."? Jurisprudence
indicates that "where a person sleeps, takes his meals, has established his household, and surrounds
himself with family and comforts of domestic life" define a person's "principal establishment." 3
Louisiana Revised Statute 18:673 mandates an investigation by the District Attorney's
office upon receipt of a written complaint from a lawfully registered voter that an officeholder no
longer meets the residence or domicile requirements for his office. An officeholder's "designated
domicile" is the residence or domicile stated on an officeholder's notice of candidacy."
In upholding this mandate, my office met with complainants and inquired into the matter.
Complainants stated they had heard from others that Wanda Skinner no longer resided at 717 Rozas
St., Ville Platte, Louisiana. Complainants further stated that they had passed by the house at 717
Rozas and the house appeared to be uninhabited. Additionally, the District Attorney Investigator, multiple assistant district attorneys, as well as myself, went and observed the house at 717 Rozas
St. and all agreed it does not appear to be inhabited. The house appeared to have been vacant for
a prolonged period. The house appeared to be uninhabited and in dilapidated condition.
My office reviewed information from the Evangeline Parish Registrar of Voter and Clerk
of Court, all of which indicated that Ms. Skinner's Oath of Office and Voter Registration reflect
717 Rozas St., Ville Platte, as her address. Ms. Skinner also claims homestead exemption at 717
Rozas St.
On November 19, 2024, 1 met with Ms. Skinner to address the complaints that she was no
longer living at 717 Rozas St. Present in this meeting were members of my staff and friends and
family members of Ms. Skinner. Ms. Skinner maintained that 717 Rozas St. was her address. She
stated that she does spend the night away from the home on occasions with family members and
friends. She further stated that she had slept at her home as recently as Sunday, and that she
maintained utility services at the home. She did later state that the water had been "turned off"
due to a leak, but she did not provide a time period when such leak or discontinuation of service
may have occurred. Ms. Skinner iterated that she received mail at Rozas St. and that she had not,
nor had she any intention to, change her domicile.
A review of utility records indicated that there was no water usage from December 2023 to
present. Further, water services were disconnected in May 2024. Electricity bills for the 2024
calendar year show negligible usage.
Significantly, Ms. Skinner was given the opportunity to let us see inside her home in order
to establish that she lived at 717 Rozas St., but she did not accept the offer.
CONCLUSION
Based on interviews with witnesses, a visual inspection of 717 Rozas St, a review of utility
records, and my meeting with Ms. Skinner, it is my opinion that Ms. Skinner does not reside, and
is therefore not domiciled at 717 Rozas St. In accordance with this opinion and as mandated by
law, my office will file suit to declare Evangeline Parish School Board District 8 vacant.
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