Turnout on the first day of early voting for the April 27 election was fairly light, according to figures for the Winn Registrar of Voters Office.  For Saturday, just 25 cast their preference in person, while another 39 mail-in absentee ballots bumped the total to 64.

But the pace picked up Monday as the courthouse halls were packed with potential jurors while a jury selection process was taking place in the courtroom.  They sat, they stood, they talked, they waited, some from morning until nearly 5 when the selection was complete.  Many figured that while they waited, they might go to the other end of the hall and vote early in the Registrar’s Office.  Monday’s walk-in count was 80.

Tuesday saw another 50 walk-in voters, bringing three-day figure to 155 in-person, with 76 absentee (mail) ballots for an overall total of 231.

On the ballot are two parishwide taxes.  The Police Jury is seeking a half-cent sales tax for continued road maintenance.  The School Board is asking for a 9.25-mill ad valorem tax for ongoing school maintenance.

There is also one issue that will be voted only by those registered in the Consolidated School District 11 (Dodson/Sikes area).  That will be a 15-mill ad valorem tax to pay General Obligation Bonds for capital expenditures and improvements in that school district.

Sample ballots are posted on the wall outside the Registrar of Voters Office.  Registrar Bryan Kelley advises that voters may also download the GeauxVote app which allows them to view their individual sample ballot and monitor results on Election night.

Early Voting will continue in the Registrar of Voters office in the Winn Parish Courthouse through this Saturday, April 20.  Hours will be from 8:30 a.m. until 6 p.m., with entrance through the Main Street door of the courthouse.  The election will be Saturday, April 27. 

Of the early voters, office figures show that 191 are white and 40 black; 80 are male and 143 female; and 68 are Democrat, 125 are Republican and 38 are Other.