By Ian Robinson | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – More than 15,000 voters in Caddo and Bossier parishes had voted early in person or by absentee ballot through Wednesday, according to data released by the secretary of state’s office.
Caddo Parish recorded 9,847 early votes during the first two days, while Bossier Parish reported 5,167. Statewide, 175,713 voters had cast early ballots through Wednesday.
Early voting figures showed differences in participation by political parties across the two parishes.
Democrats made up 5,134 early votes in Caddo Parish, compared with 1,315 Republicans. In Bossier Parish, Republicans led with 2,961 early votes, while Democrats made up 1,385.
Racial breakdowns also showed differences between Caddo and Bossier parishes.
In Caddo Parish, 5,324 early voters were white, 4,254 were Black and 269 were categorized as other races. In Bossier Parish, 4,001 early voters were white, 981 were Black and 185 were identified as other races, according to the Louisiana secretary of state’s office.
In-person and absentee voting were nearly evenly split in Caddo Parish, with 4,927 and 4,920 ballots, respectively. In Bossier Parish, in-person voting led absentee voting by 837 ballots.
Female voters outnumbered male voters in both parishes, with 5,943 female voters and 3,902 male voters in Caddo Parish. Bossier Parish recorded 2,835 female voters and 2,331 male voters.
Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters Dale Sibley and Bossier Parish Registrar Stephanie Agee did not respond to requests for comment on early voting participation and turnout comparisons in previous by the time of publication.
Early voting for the Nov. 3 elections continues through Tuesday, excluding Sunday, with polls open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.