A brisk turnout was reported across Southwest Louisiana on Tuesday as early voting for the Nov. 8 election began.
“Early voting is a great way to conveniently cast your ballot and make participating quick and easy,” Secretary of State Tom Schedler said in a news release.
“Presidential elections are always Louisiana’s highest turnout elections, and that means lots of people will be in line on Election Day. Early voting gives people a whole week to vote when it’s convenient for them and lines may be shorter.”
Early voting runs 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily through Nov. 1, except on Sunday, at parish voter registrar offices and other designated locations. A picture ID is required to vote.
In addition to the presidential election, ballots in Southwest Louisiana include races for U.S. Senate and U.S. House seats, the state Supreme Court, public service commissioner, and local posts and propositions. Six constitutional amendments are also on the ballot.
“It has been brisk for the first day, and I anticipate it to be brisk every day,” said Jeff Davis Parish Registrar Lorraine Dees.
By 1 p.m. Tuesday, 416 early ballots had been cast in the parish, with 50 of those in the first 30 minutes. “We have four machines and they are constantly busy, but the lines are moving,” she said.
Dees said voters have only three minutes to make their decisions, so they should come prepared for the lengthy ballot, which they should study ahead of time.
“The hardest part for most people has been finding their candidate of choice because it is so long,” she said. “There are 13 presidential electors, 24 U.S. Senate candidates and several U.S. representative names on the ballot.”
Voters can download the free Geaux Vote app on their cellphones to help save time. The app allows voters to view a sample ballot and mark a sample ballot, which is helpful in the voting booth, she said.
The app also provides voting locations and the full text of all propositions and amendments.
In Calcasieu Parish, lines were long and phones were ringing early, but Registrar Angie Quienalty said things were moving at a fast pace as most voters appeared ready to cast their ballots. The wait was 20-40 minutes, she said.
More than 500 people had voted early by 1 p.m. Tuesday at the parish courthouse in Lake Charles. Early voting is also being held at the Moss Bluff Library and the West Calcasieu Business Center.
There was a steady stream of voters in Beaureagard Parish with nearly 600 votes cast in person, according to Registrar Robin Darbonne.
“It was in and out all day,” she said. “The line never shortened, but people knew what they were doing and that was good.”
Vernon Parish Registrar Tina Cooley said her office was a busy place Tuesday, with more than 400 voters seizing a chance to cast early ballots by 1 p.m.
In Cameron Parish voter turnout was set to surpass the first day of early voting for the last presidential election, with 63 early votes cast in the first six hours. Registrar Michelle Richard said most voters were eager to cast ballots early.
“Everyone seems prepared and excited about casting their vote,” she said.
In Allen Parish, Registrar Monica Warren said early voting was at a steady pace, with 122 ballots cast by 1:30 p.m. Most voters are coming prepared — which keeps things moving faster, she said.
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