Our Views: Early votes easy to cast
October 31, 2012
With the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll showing a dead heat in the race for the presidency — a statistically insignificant difference of 49 percent for the incumbent and 48 percent for the challenger — interest is likely to remain high through Nov. 6.
If that is the case, even in Louisiana, likely to back Republican Mitt Romney, there is nevertheless a potential for a high turnout of voters, who also vote in significant races around the state, including mayor-president of East Baton Rouge Parish, a heated race for Congress in southwestern Louisiana, and other contests.
We encourage voters who have done their homework, not only on candidates but on constitutional amendments and local propositions on the ballot, to seek out early voting locations. Early voting is through Tuesday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. — except on Sunday — at parish registrar of voters’ offices or other designated locations.
The Secretary of State’s Office lists early voting sites on its website at http://www.GeauxVote.com under the “Early Voting-In Person” tab.
Secretary of State Tom Schedler says he anticipates high voter turnout for the election and is encouraging people to vote early to avoid long lines.
It’s a good idea, but of course early voting — like that of Election Day itself — goes more quickly if voters will check ahead on sample ballots and be ready to vote.
Many young Americans are today serving in dangerous places to protect our nation’s interests, and it’s only right that we take our easier civic duty seriously.