Almost 5,000 cast ballots during early voting period

Published 9:43 am Wednesday, October 21, 2015

Washington Parish Registrar of Voters Randy Strickland said nearly 5,000 citizens turned out at the polls, during last week’s early voting period.

Early voting for the Oct. 24 primary was Oct. 10-17 at Northshore Technical Community College-Sullivan Campus in Bogalusa, and the Washington Parish Courthouse in Franklinton.

“That was a strong turnout. A little over 5,000 was the record, but we still had people wanting to come in and vote early on Monday,” Strickland said.

Strickland said approximately 2,100 citizens voted early in Bogalusa, while the other 2,388 voted in Franklinton.

Strickland said several factors may have contributed to the high early voting turnout.

“I think the biggest things are the school holidays and people going to the fair, Strickland said.

He noted that voters do have interest in contested races and the four constitutional amendments on the ballot.

“There is interest in the races. That is what helps get the people out,” Strickland said.

Voters do not have to complete the entire ballot in order for it to be counted.

“We had a few people vote in just a couple of races. Others cast their ballot for three or four things, and that counts,” Strickland said.