Big turnout on first day of early voting

Nearly 500 people voted in St. Mary Parish by the end of the first day of early voting Saturday for the Oct. 24 primary election, which the parish registrar says is normal yet heavy for a governor’s race.
After the first day of early voting, 488 people have cast their ballots in St. Mary Parish including mail-in ballots, according to the registrar’s report.
St. Mary Parish Registrar of Voters Jolene Holcombe said voter turnout was strong but “pretty normal for a governor’s election.”
The governor, sheriff and parish president races are drawing in more voters than a typical election, Holcombe said.
Of the total votes so far, 261 voted in Franklin, and 158 cast their ballots in Morgan City. Two hundred twenty-eight men and 260 women voted. Two hundred seventy-eight Democrats, 141 Republicans and 69 other party voters have voted.
A total of 313 white voters, 169 black voters and six voters of other races had cast their ballots as of the end of the day Saturday.
Four hundred five people voted in person, while 83 voted by absentee ballot.
Early voting continues through Saturday, at the parish registrar of voters’ offices. Hours are from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
In St. Mary Parish, people can vote early at the Registrar of Voters Office on the third floor of the courthouse in Franklin or at the registrar’s Morgan City branch office, 301 Third St.