Voters head to polls Saturday

Two sales-tax propositions, an appellate judgeship and municipal elections headline Saturday ballots in the Tri-parish area, but the registrars of voters are pessimistic regarding forecasted voter participation.

Linda Rodrigue, Terrebonne’s registrar of voters, declined to give a specific figure because she didn’t want to discourage potential voters.

“I hope the people see the importance of this election and they turnout,” Rodrigue said. “Let’s hope for a 25 percent turnout.”

Jolene Holcombe, the St. Mary Parish registrar, said turnout would be “dismal at best.” She elaborated that Morgan City, because of its mayoral election, could exceed 40 percent but that she didn’t expect parishwide figures to eclipse 30 percent.

In Lafourche, deputy registrar of voters Tammy Wendelschaefer said office predictions range between 12-15 percent. Early voting returns are at 2 percent participation, she said.

Tri-parish voters will decide the next justice to serve on the Court of Appeal, 1st Circuit, 1st District, Division B seat. Democrat William Dupont won 38 percent of the primary ballots, and Republican Mitch Theriot won 34 percent of the vote as his fellow party-mates Chris Erny and Mark Plaisance were eliminated.

Terrebonne Parish voters will determine the fate of a proposed half-cent sales tax proposition dedicated to hurricane risk reduction projects, mainly to set the foundation for the Morganza-to-the-Gulf system.

Lafourche voters who reside north of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway

are also faced with a sales tax plan. The North Lafourche Conservation, Levee and Drainage District proposed a 1-cent sales tax to be dedicated to flood and storm-surge protection.

The Bayou Lafourche Fresh Water District, with the primary goal of diverting Mississippi River fresh water into Bayou Lafourche via a Donaldsonville pump station, is seeking a renewal of its property tax.

Lafourche Parish residents in the Lockport and Golden Meadow municipalities will also decide local representatives in run-off elections.

Republicans Sharon Robichaux Guidry and Ralph Sapia face off for the Town of Lockport’s Division B Council seat.

In Golden Meadow, Democrats Mike Billiot and Troy Dufrene and Lindberg Lorraine and Priscilla Mounic, both of no party affiliation, are running for the final two spots on the town’s council.

Some St. Mary voters will weigh in on the U.S. Representative 3rd Congressional District race between Republican incumbents Charles Boustany and Jeff Landry.

Morgan City residents will choose a new mayor. Businessmen Lee Dragna and Frank “Boo” Grizzaffi, both of no party affiliation, survived the primary.