The department conducts training schools for Commissioners and Commissioners-in-Charge. It also sends out all "election notices" to election Commissioners and Commissioners-in-Charge, voting machine key custodians, and building custodians for each precinct's polling place. These notices inform everyone associated with an election of the election date, polling hours, voting machine delivery and pick-up schedule, and other vital information concerning the election. The department also deals with any problems that may arise on election day.

When the polls close and during the next few days after an election, the department tabulates vote totals and cross-checks voting machine counters against the election night print-outs.

The Parish Board of Election Supervisors, which the Clerk of Court chairs, meets before, during and after an election. Before an election, the Board selects, at random, qualified Commissioners to staff each precinct. During an election, the Board convenes to count absentee ballots; and after an election, the Board meets to officially certify the election results before they are sent to the Secretary of State's Office. The Board also meets once each year to select Commissioners-in-Charge for each precinct in the Parish. The Commissioners-in-Charge serve for the entire year.