BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana's weeklong early voting period begins Saturday, with the competition for governor the top race to be decided.

  

Gov. John Bel Edwards is fighting for a second term, with Republican businessman Eddie Rispone within striking distance of ousting the Deep South's only Democratic governor.

  

Election Day is Nov. 16.

  

Voters wishing to cast their ballots early can do so starting Saturday and continuing through Nov. 9, except on Sunday. Early voting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily at parish registrar of voters offices or other designated locations.

  

Beyond the governor's race, voters will decide whether Republican Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin hangs onto the job against competition from Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup.

  

They'll also choose a new Louisiana Supreme Court justice and will settle the remaining state legislative races.