Some surprising numbers from early voting in Louisiana for the November 13th election. Pollster John Couvillon tells us the figures far exceed those of 2017. “As of last night you have 142,000 who have either early voted in person or by mail,” said Couvillon.
He says almost exclusively driving this increase is those choosing the mail-in option of voting. Couvillon says at this point four years ago during the only 92-thousand votes had been cast in early voting for that election, the mail-in volume almost triple what it was in 2017.
Couvillon says that while early voting numbers are significantly higher than four years ago, he doesn’t expect that to translate to an overall turnout increase for the election in the same percentage. “While I do believe that portends to somewhat higher turnout than 2017, I don’t think we’re talking about a 50 percent increase like the numbers would suggest if you read them literally,” said Couvillon.
All in all, Couvillon does not expect an overall rush to the polls statewide this Saturday since in most cases the only thing on the ballot in many parishes are the four constitutional amendments. He says, “this is a low-wattage election that is only moderately impacted by having Orleans Parish races on the ballot at the same time.”
Couvillon expects the statewide turnout to total about 16 percent of the state’s registered voters, while the turnout in Orleans Parish alone should be in the ballpark of 35 percent.
Comments