Saturday was the first day of early voting for the July 11th Presidential Preference Primary and election officials say they’ve already received 48,000 mail-in ballots. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin says for this election, Louisiana has expanded the acceptable reasons for eligible voters to request an absentee ballot.
“You can request an absentee ballot if you are subject to medically necessary quarantine or isolation order. You can request one as well if you are advised by your healthcare provider to self quarantine,” said Ardoin.
Pollster John Couvillon says the 48,000 mail-in votes is the highest first-day mail in volume dating back to 2008.
Anyone who is at a high risk of severe illness from COVID-19, caring for a high-risk person, or experiencing COVID symptoms, can also request an absentee ballot. He says more than 116-thousand absentee ballots have been requested.
“The deadline to request an absentee ballot is July 7th and the deadline for returning it is by 4:30 PM on July 10th,” said Ardoin.
Louisiana’s presidential primary is not the only item on the ballot for the July 11th. There are also local races in 24 parishes and party committee positions. Ardoin says returning your mail-in ballot is simple.
“You can put it in your mailbox or you can drop it off at your registrar of voters’ office,” said Ardoin.
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