Early voting is off to a busier than expected start in Iberia Parish, officials said, as a number of propositions are drawing interest.

At press time this morning, 187 votes had been cast in the parish, either in person or by mail.

“We’re excited about the turnout,” said Kristie Blanchard of the Iberia Parish Registrar of Voters. “On Saturday, we were expecting just a few people to come out and we got 41.”

Advertisement

Blanchard said the Iberia Parish School Board’s bond propositions, including a $60 million, 20-year bond issue for the school system’s capital improvement plan, are generating interest. Other items on the ballot include several measures proposed by the Iberia Parish Council, including a pay raise for council members.

“That’s usually a sign that we’re going to have a good turnout,” Blanchard said. “But it’s not going to be near as high as the (2008) fall election.”

Turnout has not been as high in other area parishes, where there are fewer items on the ballot.

In St. Mary, 24 votes have been cast so far, 11 on the west side of the parish. Two property tax renewals are on the ballot.

In St. Martin, four votes had been cast in Stephensville as of this morning. No votes were recorded in the St. Martinville office.

On the ballot is a 6.46-mill property tax renewal designed to improve and maintain parish roads in Sub-Road District No. 1 of Road District No. 1.

Early voting continues in all three parishes until Saturday at 6 p.m. Election day is Oct. 17.