A record-breaking 849,784 people participated in early voting in Louisiana this year, marking a significant increase in voter engagement compared to the previous presidential election cycle. The final day of the ten-day early voting period saw over 100,000 voters at polling places across the state, the highest single-day turnout for early voting in both 2020 and this year.
As of now, an additional 110,777 Louisianans have submitted absentee ballots, bringing the total number of voters who have cast their ballots ahead of the November 5 election to 960,561. This figure surpasses the 2020 early voting total by 84,636 votes, indicating a growing enthusiasm among voters.
This year, early voters represent just under a third of Louisiana's registered voters, which stands at approximately 3,045,000 according to Joel Watson, a spokesperson for the Secretary of State's Office. Notably, this early voting trend shows a shift in party participation; 430,609 Republicans have voted compared to 344,747 Democrats, contrasting with the 2020 figures where Democrats led with 374,235 votes against 334,471 for Republicans.
The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office confirmed that from October 18 to 29, the total of in-person early voters reached 849,784, breaking the previous record of 817,957 set in 2020. The final day of early voting on October 29 saw a remarkable 103,456 voters, surpassing the previous single-day record of 99,004 in 2020.
Long lines were reported at various polling locations, including the Tremé Community Center, where many first-time voters, both young and old, turned out. Danielle Duplessis-Hammond, Chief Deputy of the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters, noted the significant turnout and excitement among voters.
Political analyst Ron Faucheux suggested that high early voting turnout could indicate an overall high turnout on Election Day. He also highlighted a shift in Republican voters’ attitudes, noting that many who refrained from early voting in 2020 are now encouraged to participate.
In the 2020 presidential election, Louisiana saw a 70 percent voter turnout. In contrast, last year's governor's election attracted only 36 percent of registered voters. Duplessis-Hammond expressed hope for continued high traffic in voting, emphasizing the importance of civic engagement.
While Louisiana is not considered a swing state, the uncertainty surrounding this year's presidential race may lead to extended counts and potential recounts in closely contested areas across the nation. Voters in Louisiana will have their next opportunity to cast ballots on Election Day.
For those voting absentee, requests must be made to the Secretary of State by November 1, with ballots due by 4:30 p.m. on November 4. The Secretary of State's website will display mock results on October 31 at 2 p.m., intended solely for testing purposes and not reflecting actual election outcomes.