By Doris Maricle

Early voting across Southwest Louisiana has seen a strong voter turnout with many residents eager to cast their ballots ahead of the Nov. 5 presidential election, according to election officials.

Registered voters have until Tuesday, Oct. 29, to cast their in-person early voting ballots ahead of next month’s election.

“We are thrilled to see so much enthusiasm among Louisiana voters in this election,” Joel Watson, deputy secretary for communications with the Secretary of State office, said Wednesday in an email to the American Press. “Through four days, in-person early voting is up 10 percent versus this time in 2020.”

Overall, 438,275 Louisiana voters have already cast their ballot, according to the Secretary of State office.

In Calcasieu Parish, Registrar of Voters Kim Fontenot reported a brisk voter turnout with more than 3,000 ballots being cast a day at four voter location sites in the parish. Voters can cast their in-person ballots at the Registrar of Voters Office, the Sulphur Law Enforcement Building, the Moss Bluff Library and the Iowa Library.

Despite the large voter turnout, Fontenot said people are getting in and out quickly.

“They are familiar with the ballot and they know what they are voting for,” she said.

More than 17,024 Calcasieu Parish voters have already cast their ballots ahead of the November election.

Jeff Davis Parish Registrar of Voters Joann Blair said she is seeing good turnout numbers and things seem to be running smooth so far.

“Things are going smoothly and we’re processing people in a timely manner,” she said.

Blair reported 835 people cast early ballots on the first day of early voting, which was its busiest day. Overall more than 3,580 ballots have been cast.

Blair said most voters are preparing themselves ahead of time by reviewing the sample ballots.

“Voters are prepared before they even walk in here with their driver’s license,” she said.

Beauregard Parish Registrar of Voters Robin Darbonne said early voting turnout has been steady since it began last week with many voters appearing to be eager to cast their ballots.

“People seem prepared and anxious to cast their ballots,” Darbonne said, noting that the turnout includes a lot of first time voters. “We are definitely seeing a lot of first time voters. Many of them are older people who have never voted before.”

As of Wednesday, over 3,230 early ballots have been cast. Darbonne anticipates the numbers to increase as more people realize the deadline is near.

Vernon Parish Registrar of Voters Tina Cooley expressed optimism about the number of voters who have already participated in early voting and those yet to cast their ballots. She anticipates a higher early voter turnout for this year’s presidential election compared to four years ago.

“The last presidential election we had 6,163 for 10-days and right now we are at just over 3,100 so hopefully the turnout will be better than the last presidential election,” Cooley said.

Cooley said she was excited to see a lot more first-time voters turning out.

She said voters seem to be prepared which helps to get them in and out as quickly as possible.

Allen Registrar of Voters Monica Warren said the office has seen a steady stream of voters with more that 1,330 voters seizing a chance to cast early ballots since Friday. She said the first day was the busiest, but said turnout has been steady with voters appearing to be prepared ahead of time.

In Cameron Parish, Registrar of Voters Office said there has been a steady flow of voters, but reported things were moving at a steady pace as most voters appeared ready to cast their ballots ahead of going to the polls.

More than 1,060 votes have been cast in Cameron Parish.

Early voting continues 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily (except Sunday) through Tuesday, Oct. 29 at parish voter registrar offices and other designated locations. Voters should bring a state issued driver’s license or identification card. Those without proper identification will be required to complete a voter identification affidavit before casting a ballot.

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More election information is available at GeauxVote.com or on the GeauxVote mobile app.