Early voting period ends tonight (with complete ballot)
Last Modified: Tuesday, October 30, 2012 11:03 AM
By Doris Maricle / American Press
Today is the last day to take advantage of in-person early voting for the Nov. 6 presidential and congressional elections, as well as nine constitutional amendments, a school board member term limits issue and several local tax propositions and races.
So far, more than 14,980 voters have cast early ballots in person or by other means in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis and Vernon parishes, according to local Registrar of Voters offices.
Statewide, election officials have already seen more than 238,575 early ballots cast, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
Voters have until 6 p.m. today to cast ballots in-person at their Registrar of Voters office or other designated polling locations.
Voters should bring a valid driver’s license, a Louisiana special ID or some other generally recognized picture ID that has your name and signature.
Those over 65 years of age or handicapped may request a mail-in ballot. Those ballots must be returned by 4:30 p.m. Nov. 2.
Calcasieu Parish reports the highest early voter turnout with more than 8,712 of the parish’s 127,630 registered voters casting early ballots as of Monday, Registrar of Voters Angie Quienalty said.
“The numbers are slightly higher than the last presidential election, but not by a huge amount,” Quienalty said. “If it stays this way, looks like we will be slightly up.”
Quienalty said she has seen “a lot of interest” in the election both in and out of the office.
Vernon Parish had the second-highest early voter turnout with more than 2,635 of the parish’s 24,729 eligible voters having taken advantage of early voting, Registrar of Voters Tina Cooley said.
“We’ve been steady, but we haven’t had the long lines,” Cooley said.
The parish has averaged nearly 500 voters a day since early voting began Oct. 23, she said.
In Jefferson Davis Parish, more than 2,573 of the parish’s 20,862 eligible voters have cast early voting ballots.
“The last time we had a presidential election in 2008, we had a 25 percent voter turnout out, we’re at 12 percent now,” Registrar of Voters Lorraine Dees said.
Dees is hoping the high early voter turnout will be a good barometer of a vigorous statewide turnout on Election Day.
“I think overall it will be a good voter turnout,” she said. “Hopefully nothing will sideline the people on that day.”
Allen Parish Registrar of Voters Monica Warren is also expecting a good Election Day based on a brisk early voter turnout in the first week.
“I think it is going to be a good voter turnout,” Warren said. “There is a lot of interest in this election.”
Of the 14,316 registered voters, more than 870 have cast early ballots since last Tuesday.
“It’s been steady, but not overwhelming,” she said. “We have been averaging over 100 (early) voters each day.”
For the most part, she said voters appeared prepared for what is on the ballot. Some asked for a few minutes to look over the ballot before voting, she said.
Cameron Parish reported more than 625 early ballots cast from 5,769 eligible voters with Beauregard Parish reporting more than 2,204 of 22,080 eligible voters, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office.
For more information contact the Registrar of Voters Office in your area: Allen 639-4966; Calcasieu 437-3572; Beauregard 463-7955; Cameron 775-5493; Jeff Davis 824-0834; and Vernon 239-3690.
2012 Ballot
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