Nearly a third of Louisiana voters voted early in the Nov. 5 election, setting records

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – This year, more Louisianans voted early in person than ever before.

Nearly a third of registered voters cast their ballots before the November 5 election. According to Louisiana’s secretary of state, 960,561 people voted early, including ballots already returned.

Orleans Parish resident Josie Hasle returned her absentee ballot on Wednesday (October 30).

“There is no election where I am not there to vote,” Hasle said. “These are crucial and important elections.”

Dillard University political analyst Dr. Robert Collins said that while Louisiana is not considered a swing state, its voters are energized.

“Even if people know Donald Trump is going to win Louisiana, they want to run up the score,” Collins said. “They want him to win by more than 60 percent.”

Secretary of State data shows more Republicans voted early (430,609) than registered Democrats (344,747).

“The Democrats understand that this is not a ‘blue state’ and that there is no chance that Harris will win this state,” Collins said. “You just don’t see the same level of excitement or the same level of enthusiasm that you would see in a swing state like Pennsylvania or Wisconsin.”

According to Collins, Louisiana voters are more energized about the presidential election than last year’s gubernatorial race.

“Your governor and your mayor and your other local offices have more to do with your individual quality of life than who the president is,” Collins said. “But the average voter doesn’t see that.”

Secretary of State Nancy Landry said, “I am pleased that so many Louisianans have already made their voices heard in this election. Those who did not take advantage of early voting can still vote on Election Day (November 5) between 6 a.m. and 8 p.m..”

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Friday (November 1) at 4:30 p.m.

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