How Election Day 2024 and weather impacted local businesses

a. (KNOE) - Deputy Leslie Lawson Caillouet with the Ouachita Parish Clerk of Court's Office went around to different polling sites Tuesday (Nov. 5) morning.

For many precincts, 300-400 voters were recorded by the afternoon. KNOE reporter Kenya Ross visited downtown West Monroe to see if some local businesses saw any difference in foot traffic due to Election Day and rain.

"I mean really, it's no different than any other day... of them shopping," said owner Jessica Pollard of Eleven 26 Boutique. "So, we've actually had good foot traffic today. I know that it's a Tuesday and it's raining - it's Election Day, but we have actually been busy today and in retail, every day is different."

One other business along the same strip said this particular Tuesday was not like their normal Tuesday.

"This is sort of an atypical Tuesday. Tuesday is usually a very busy day for the shop but with the rain and school being out and people voting, there has not been the usual traffic on Antique Alley today," said Charlotte Breard, who's known as the Tuesday Shop Girl for Traditions on Trenton Antiques. Even though the shop did not receive the usual foot traffic, Breard said they were still fulfilling online orders.

After 5 p.m., Caillouet said polling locations were beginning to see an increase in voters, and one precinct almost reached 100% voter turnout.

Watch KNOE's 2024 Election Day Coverage