Early voting, registration dates set for Oct. 24 election

Registered voters can opt to vote early for candidates in the gubernatorial primary election beginning Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Morgan City and Franklin registrar of voters offices. The last day to vote early is Oct. 17.
Voter registration ends Sept. 23 for the Oct. 24 election.
Records show 3,439 people in St. Mary Parish voted early in the 2011 gubernatorial primary, an increase of 1,072 from the 2007 turnout.
The number of registered voters in St. Mary Parish has declined by 592 since 2007. There were 33,137 registered in 2007, 33,021 in 2011, and 32,545 as of Aug. 23, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office website.
Overall, Democrats in St. Mary Parish continue to decline from 2007 having lost 3,335 voters. Republicans gained 1,210 voters and other parties increased by 1,515.
The following positions will be listed on the ballot for voting in St. Mary Parish: governor; lieutenant governor; secretary of state; attorney general; treasurer; commissioner of agriculture and forestry; commissioner of insurance; Board of Elementary and Secondary Education District 3; 21st Senatorial District; 50th and 51st House districts; judge for the 16th Judicial District court, ES 2, Division D; sheriff; clerk of court; assessor; coroner; parish president; parish council; and Baldwin alderman.

This story was written by Shea Drake of The Daily Review staff. Reach her at sdrake@daily-review.com.