Early voting for the Nov. 5, 2024, presidential election runs from Oct. 18-29 in Louisiana. (Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator)
Louisiana is off to a blistering start through three days of early voting for the Nov. 5 elections. When you include absentee ballots and in-person voting, more than 438,000 of Louisiana’s 3.01 million registered voters, or 14.5%, have made their voices heard as of Tuesday.
This year’s numbers also show lower-than-usual turnout among Democrats in the early voting period. Through Tuesday, Republicans held an edge in turnout so far, with more than 200,000 casting ballots. That’s 36,000 more than Democrats, who at 1.13 million make up 37.5% of all voters in Louisiana. Republicans, who number 1.04 million, represent 34.6%.
If the GOP maintains its early voting advantage, it would undo a trend that goes back to 2008 when Louisiana first launched early voting. Democrats have consistently outvoted the GOP ahead of Election Day, accounting for between 48% and 58% of all early votes cast in previous presidential election years.
There are still six days left for Democrats to close that gap. But keep in mind the party did not field anyone in the 4th Congressional District race, plus Democrats also aren’t expected to seriously challenge Republican incumbents in four of the five other elections for Louisiana seats in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Combine those insurmountable odds with previous decisive victories for Donald Trump in Louisiana, and you have to wonder whether Democrats are enthused about heading to the polls.
It could have something to do with the late start to Kamala Harris’ campaign for president, but it definitely shows how much work the Louisiana Democratic Party, which has struggled to coalesce for years, has to do to loosen the grip Republicans have on state leadership.
At best, that effort is in its nascent stages with party members having ousted state leader Katie Bernhardt after last year’s hugely disappointing showing for Democrats in statewide elections. Any opponent facing U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson would have been considered a longshot, but many Democrats were openly disheartened when the July qualifying period ended without anyone from the party signing up for the race.
For comparison’s sake, let’s look at early voting in North Carolina, a swing state that could help decide the results of the presidential election. Republicans are heavy favorites in 10 of the 14 U.S. House races in North Carolina, yet Democrats have led the way in early voting with 35% of the turnout. GOP voters are not far behind with nearly 34%, and unaffiliated voters have cast almost 31% of ballots so far.
Now let’s look at party makeup in North Carolina: Voters with no affiliation comprise the largest share of the electorate at nearly 38% followed by Democrats (31%) and Republicans (30%).
It would seem voters in Old Cackalacky — I’m intent on keeping this North Carolina nickname alive — are inspired to get to the polls, regardless of party.
While Louisiana’s overall early voting rates are to be celebrated, there is still room for improvement for all parties. Just 70% of Louisiana voters took part in the 2019 presidential race, including Election Day turnout. A paltry 36% voted in last year’s governor’s race that didn’t need a runoff to decide.
Some are quick to attribute this lack of voter enthusiasm to displeasure with the quality of candidates. But that copout makes the non-voter part of the problem rather than the solution.
Regardless of party affiliation, there are certainly more than enough reasons to get out and vote — whether early or on Nov. 5. Apathy is hardly an excuse.
YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE.