Deadline to request absentee ballots for Nov. 5 election is Friday, Nov. 1

MONROE, La. (KNOE) - Early voter turnout for the November 5 Presidential Election surpassed previous presidential elections on some days according to the Ouachita Parish Registrar of Voters, Isabelle Butler.

"It has been a very large turnout and I'm really happy to see that people are showing interest and turning out to vote," says Butler.

But if you didn't vote early and cannot vote in person on election day, you'll need to request an absentee ballot. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is November 1 by 4:30 p.m.

When you receive your ballot, follow all of the direction sheets carefully to make sure your ballot is counted.

"You're going to make sure you sign your ballot and that you get a witness. This section is only filled out if you receive assistance in completing your ballot. Everyone must sign their own ballot and must have a witness."

"Even on the back of your envelope there is a checklist to make sure that you've completed everything that you're supposed to complete," explains Butler. "Your ballot will go back inside the return envelope to us. Once you've signed it and had your witness you're going to peel this strip off, there's adhesive under this strip, and it will seal your ballot."

Butler says there is a section to fill out if someone helped you fill out your ballot, and often people get that confused with the witness section. Everyone must have a witness for their ballots to count.

Often she says people will tear off the affidavit flap on the top, but you need to make sure that stays ATTACHED to the ballot. If there is an issue with your ballot, she says you will be contacted.

"We have people that are out of town working, out of the country working, on ships, in the military, everywhere. We have something in place to help everyone."

Regardless of how you choose to vote, Butler does want to remind you that you could see changes on your ballot due to redistricting .

"I've been getting calls all day because they went in to vote and the name they were looking for was not there. We mailed cards out in June letting you know that your congressional district changed," says Butler. "Yes, we are represented by congressional Districts 4 and 5 now in Ouachita Parish."

If you have questions, contact your parish's Registrar of Voters office for help.

Absentee ballots are due by 4:30 p.m. on November 4th.

If you don't think your ballot will be returned through the mail to your Registrar of Voters office by that deadline on Monday, you can hand deliver it.

On election day, polls are open from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m. Visit the voter portal on the Secretary of State's website or download the Geaux Vote app to find your sample ballot and where you need to head on election day.

"Bring your ID we're not going to turn away anyone that doesn't have an ID, but you'll have to complete an affidavit of identity and we still will allow them to vote." explains Butler. "And please don't be intimidated by your driver's license if your address isn't correct or your name isn't correct we'll still be able to figure it out and you'll still be able to vote."

They did mail out voter cards over the summer and if yours came back to their office, your name may be on the inactive voter list. If that's the case, you'll fill out a form and then be able to cast your ballot.