Early voting on a record pace

By all indications, there is as much — if not more — interest in the Dec. 6 general (runoff) election as there was in the Nov. 4 primary.

At 1:30 p.m. Saturday, records in the Registrar of Voters’ office reflected 2,719 parish voters  had taken advantage of the five-day early voting period.

For the Nov. 4 primary, a total of 2,911 “in-person” votes were cast during the six days of early voting.

Mail-in ballots added 638 for the primary and 448 (thus far) for the general election.

That brings the totals to 3,549 early votes for the Nov. 4 election and 3,167 for the Dec. 6 run-off.

Mail ballots will be accepted through Friday for the general public; Saturday for military, according to Registrar of Voters Billie J. Meyer.

“This turnout has been surprising,” said Meyer on Saturday. “Especially last Saturday — the first day of early voting — when we had 800 people come through.

“The numbers have been dwindling a little each day since, but it looks like it’s going to be pretty busy again today. This is definitely more than what we’ve had in the past.”

By 1:30 p.m. 341 early voters had visited the registrar’s office on Saturday. Early voting continued until 6:30 p.m.

“I think the senate race and the district judge race are the big draws this time,” Meyer said. “We have a number of run-offs in Rayne, and there’s a good turnout from there, but voters are coming from all over the parish.”

Ward 6, the Crowley area, had the largest turnout by Saturday afternoon with 1,237 votes cast, followed by Ward 1, the Rayne area, with 890 votes.

Those figures included mail-in ballots.

All voting precincts in the parish will be open on Saturday, Dec. 6, in light of the statewide senate race, Meyer pointed out.

That race has three-term incumbent Mary Landrieu, a Democrat, being challenged by Republican Bill Cassidy, the former U.S. Representative from the 6th Congressional District.

All of Acadia Parish’s 39,493 registered voters are eligible to vote in that election.

On the parish level, Meyer pointed out that, while many think the district judge’s race includes all parish voters, that is not the case.

“Parts of four precincts — 1-3A, 1-6, 1-7 and 1-8 — are not included in Division F,” the registrar said. “It’s confusing for some of the voters when they go to vote, but until and unless the district lines for the 15th Judicial District judges are redrawn, that’s how it is.”

The area includes voters in the eastern area of the parish between Rayne and Duson.

Meyer said a total of 2,847 voters registered in Acadia Parish are not eligible to vote in the judge’s race pitting David Smith against Mike Goss, both Democrats.

The winner will replace long-time District Judge Glennon Everett, who announced his retirement from the bench earlier this year.

The only municipal runoffs in Acadia Parish are in Rayne and include:

• Chief of Police: incumbent Carroll Stelly (D) and Joseph “Joe” Caillet (D).

• Rayne City Marshal: incumbent Alex “Joe” Lacroix (D) and Jamie Conque (D.

• Alderman Ward 1: incumbent Anna “Ann” Domingue-Washington (D) and Curtrese Minix (D).

• Alderman Ward 2: Kenneth Guidry (Other) and Larry Menard (D).

• Alderman Ward 4: incumbent Gerald Foreman (D) and James “Jimmy” Fontenot (D).

In Ward 4, incumbent Constable/Justice of the Peace Mike Habetz (R) is challenged by Douglas R. Short (D).

Finally, in Iota, voters face a couple of tax propositions.

• Proposition No. 1: Voters decide on a five mills tax renewal (estimated annual amount of $21,300) for a period of 10 years. The purpose of the tax is for constructing and maintaining streets, roads, highways and avenues.

• Proposition No. 2: Voters decide on a five mills tax renewal (estimated annual amount of $21,300) for a period of 10 years. The purpose of the tax is for maintenance of public buildings, improving and maintaining bridges and the drainage system.

Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Saturday.