Early voting turnout low for Senate runoffs

Sparks are starting to fly in the Republican U.S. Senate primary runoff. But the fireworks didn’t ignite much interest among St. Mary’s early voters.
Only 4% of the parish’s registered voters cast early ballots or returned absentee ballots by Monday, according to the Registrar of Voters Office.
Early votes and absentee ballots received through Monday totaled 1,226. The parish has 30,402 registered voters as of June 1, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office.
Election day is Saturday, when separate Republican and Democratic Senate primary runoffs will be on the ballot. Voting at your usual polling place will be 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Bring a photo ID to the polls.
Only 6% of St. Mary voters cast early ballots for the first primary round. Both rounds so far have been marked by disruptions that may have depressed turnout.
Gov. Jeff Landry suspended early voting in U.S. House races for the May 16 primary. His order came the day after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the creation after the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a second Black-majority House district, and 48 hours before early voting was to begin.
Then, late in the June 12-20 early voting period for the June 27 Senate runoffs, much of south Louisiana was hit by heavy rains and strong storms from Tropical Storm Arthur.
The Republican Senate runoff is between U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow and state Treasurer John Fleming.
Letlow and Fleming have been hammering each other with ads claiming the other has failed to support or has even obstructed President Donald Trump’s policies on immigration.
Although Letlow was presumed to have the big edge that comes with Trump’s endorsement, some observers say the race may be tightening.
The Democratic challengers are two political unknowns: Gary Crockett of New Orleans and Jamie Davis of Ferriday. Both have steered a course favored by many moderate Democrats this cycle, focusing on affordability issues and downplaying Trump-bashing.
After Landry’s order suspending House voting, the election became a traditional Louisiana open primary scheduled for Nov. 3.
U.S. Rep. Clay Higgins is running for a sixth term in the 3rd Congressional District, which includes all of St. Mary.