Tuesday’s lengthy ballot, coupled with recent changes to School Board districts and polling places, will require some preparation on voters’ part, said Calcasieu Clerk of Court Lynn Jones.

“Being prepared can go a long way toward making things run smoothly, as well as significantly cut down on the time a voter may wait,” Jones said in a news release.

“There has been an unprecedented amount of interest in this election — an interest level that has led to record turnout in early voting.”

While 8,000 people cast ballots during early voting, about 118,000 voters are still eligible to vote Tuesday, Jones said. If there are lines, a three-minute time limit may be enforced, he said.

“With a predicted overall turnout of 50 percent, that means nearly 60,000 voters may be heading to the polls on election day,” Jones said.

He recommended people know what they plan to vote for before they enter the booth.

“The amendment portion of the ballot tends to take the most time to complete, but if you are prepared you should be able to easily complete your ballot within the allotted time frame,” he said.

Polls will be open 6 a.m.-8 p.m. Voters should take to the polls a valid Louisiana photo ID.

Changes affecting polling places in Calcasieu Parish:

Precinct 166, at Moss Bluff Elementary School, 481 Sam Houston Jones Parkway, has been split into two precincts, 166E and 166W.

Precinct 303E, at Ralph Wilson Elementary School, 1400 Opelousas St., is now Precinct 303.

Precinct 303W, formerly at Ralph Wilson Elementary School, has merged with Precinct 307, at Chateau du Lac, 333 Mill St.

Precinct 361, formerly at Calcasieu Parish Alternative School, 2903 Opelousas St., has been moved to the Calcasieu Parish Public Works East Maintenance Facility, 5500-B Swift Plant Road.

Precinct 367N, formerly at St. John Elementary School, 5566 Elliott Road, has been split into Precinct 340, at Positive Connection, 5282 Weaver Road, and Precinct 372, at St. John Elementary School.

Precinct 367S, St. John Elementary School, 5566 Elliott Road, is now Precinct 367.

Precinct 368, formerly at Positive Connection, 5282 Weaver Road, is now at A.A. Nelson Elementary School, 1001 Country Club Road.

Precinct 462, formerly S.P. Arnett Middle School, 400 Sulphur Ave., Westlake, has merged with Precinct 463, Westlake High School, 1000 Garden Drive.

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For more information, call the clerk’s office, 437-3550, or the voter registrar’s office, 721-4000, or visit the secretary of state’s website, www.sos.la.gov.(MGNonline)