Early voting begins Saturday

Louisiana’s registered voters will have an opportunity to cast primary election ballots this month pertaining to presidential races, party representatives and municipal concerns.

Early voting for the March 24 presidential and party representative primary begins Saturday and continues through March 17. Voters may cast ballots at their respective Registrar of Voters office between 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m.

The first general election for local offices is April 21. It will be followed by the open congressional primary and the presidential election on Nov. 6, then the Louisiana open congressional election on Dec. 1.

In Terrebonne Parish, the Registrar of Voters office is inside the Courthouse Annex at 1208 Museum Drive in Houma. Lafourche Parish voters may go to the registrar’s main office at 307 W. Fourth St. in Thibodaux or at the South Lafourche Public Library at 16421 E. Main St. in Cut Off. St. Mary Parish voters may cast early votes at either 301 Third St. in Morgan City or 300 Main St. in Franklin.

Early voters should take picture identification to the respective registrar’s office. St. Mary Parish Registrar of Voters Jolene Holcombe explained that voters that might not have photo identification could bring a utility bill or some official documentation that proves residency. “As long as they are able to answer some identifying information to the commissioner [they may participate],” she said.

During the March primary, Republicans and Democrats will each vote along ballots. One exception is the Terrebonne Parish Justice of the Peace race in the Montegut area where candidates represent multiple parties.

Polls are open on Election Day from 6 a.m. until 8 p.m. Registrar of Voters offices will be open in the event that questions arise at polling places.

“In order for a person to determine their ballot, they can go to geauxvote.com and enter their name, birth date or zip code and see a sample ballot, where they go to vote, how they are registered, and be prepared before voting,” Rodrigue said.

Voter registration cards, assigning polling places, were mailed in September 2011 and will not be sent this year, unless the voter has modifications such as a change of address or party affiliation.