Low turnout for first day of early voting

CALCASIEU PARISH, LA (KPLC) - Weeks ago the line was out the door for early voting for the Presidential election, but Saturday was the complete opposite.

Today is the first day of early voting, but for the few voters that did turn out, most had the same reason.

"We're going to be out of town next weekend or on voting day," said early voter Linda Breaux.

Early voter Debbie Davis also decided to vote today, because she will be traveling.

"Honestly, I'll be out of town, so I don't want to miss my opportunity to cast my vote," she said.

Early voter Brandon Lestage wasn't shocked there wasn't a line at any of the three voting locations in Calcasieu Parish though.

"I'm not surprised, the presidential election brings out more people and for this (one), there's only two on my ballot," he said.

Outside the Moss Bluff library, signs urging people to cast their vote is what brought Lestage to the polls.

"I was just passing by the library, and the early vote sign was out so I just stopped in here to get it taken care of before election day," he said.

So just how many people came out to vote today?

Voting opened at 8:30 a.m. and by 11 a.m. according to the Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court office, 77 votes were cast in Moss Bluff, 94 in Sulphur and 97 in Lake Charles.

By 4:00 p.m. Moss Bluff received 239 votes, Sulphur 201 and Lake Charles 203.

When the doors closed at 6:00 p.m. the voting total ended with 255 votes in Moss Bluff, 219 Votes in Sulphur and 218 votes in Lake Charles.

For those who don't think their vote still matters, early voters like Lestage disagree.

"That's bologna," he said. "I get out here and vote every time, there's no wasted vote."

Breaux thinks that this election is important and still encourages everyone to go out and vote.

"I hope people realize that it's very important especially for the candidates," she said. "They've worked very hard, and I know they would appreciate people that come out and remember them this election."

Which Davis also agrees.

"You're vote absolutely matters, it's your right to cast who you feel is best for the position that someone's running for," she said. "We need a government that's strong and caring and wants to make America better."

Early voting will be closed Sunday, but will continue on until Saturday December 3rd, from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Calcasieu voters can vote at the Parish Registrar of Voters office on 100 Ryan Street, and they can also vote at the Moss Bluff Library on 261 Parish Road and in Sulphur at the West Calcasieu Center on 500 North Huntington Street.

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