Armstrong must wait posted Friday, August 31st, 2012 @ 4:32 pm  E-mail Story |  Print Story  Ray Armstrong can take his seat on the Monroe City Council in January after voters have had the opportunity to elect representatives to the three open seats on the council. That's the ruling from the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office, The Ouachita Citizen has learned. "As soon as all the City Council seats are filled, then they can take office at the same time," said Secretary of State spokesman Saylor Jackson. Armstrong was elected without opposition to the District 1 seat on the Monroe City Council. Incumbent councilman Jay Marx declined to seek a third term on the Council, paving the way for Armstrong. Earlier Friday, a widely circulated internet post had suggested that Armstrong was entitled to take his seat immediately. Lincoln Parish News Online blogger Walter Abbott referred to state law in a quote, claiming Armstrong should be seated on the Council immediately. Louisiana Revised Statute 18:513 suggests that the Secretary of State could certify Armstrong's election immediately. But, that's not the case in this election, because the City Council districts changed. "Basically, it's almost like you would have two different constituencies," said Jackson. Check back to www.ouachitacitizen.com for more on this story as it develops.