WBRZ - Baton Rouge

Campaign season officially kicks off Wednesday, when the sign-up period for elections begins.

Candidates will have to decide if they're in or out of a race by Friday at 5 p.m.

On the ballot will be the state's seven congressional seats and the lieutenant governor's job. At the top of the list, is Republican Sen. David Vitter's bid for re-election to a second term. He'll face Democrat Charlie Melancon, who's leaving his congressional seat to run against Vitter.

The first election is Aug. 28, a party primary for congressional candidates. The open primary for the lieutenant governor's race will be Oct. 2. The general election is Nov. 2.