Early voting continued Saturday at the Jefferson County Courthouse for the Nov. 6 general election and
more than 300 residents cast ballots.
Election officials reported a steady procession thanks, in part, to the UAPB/AM&N Homecoming Parade held on Main Street Saturday morning.
“Turnout has been good,” said Wanda Wesson, an election official. “A lot of (parade spectators/participants) like to take advantage of the fact that they are already down here so they come over and vote.”
Katherine Wooldridge, senior deputy clerk for voter registration in the county clerk’s office, said that
as of 4:05 p.m., 345 voters had cast ballots. Since early voting began Oct. 22, a total 4,765 residents
have voted, she said.
Turnout has been higher during the weekdays, Wooldridge said. The number ranged from 867 on
Monday to 873 on Friday. Ballots cast on Tuesday even reached 905.
“It remains to be seen but I fully expect it to be in the thousands on Nov. 1, 2, 3 and 5,” Wooldridge said.
Early voting will continue through Nov. 5 at the courthouse. Voting hours will be from 8 a.m. until 6
p.m. weekdays through Nov. 2. On Saturday, Nov. 3, voting hours will be from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.; and
Monday, Nov. 5 voting hours will be from 8:30 a.m. until 5 p.m.
LaKreasha Franklin of Pine Bluff and her daughter, A’livia White, were among dozens of people who
attended the parade Saturday and went to vote afterwards.
“I like to vote early to avoid the last minute crowds and I’m not a procrastinator,” Franklin said.
White, 20, said Saturday marked her inaugural visit to the polls.
“It feels exciting to be a first time voter,” she said. “I do hope we’ll see change and I pray my vote will make a difference.”
LaKisha Tatum of Pine Bluff and her brother, Bobby Tatum, went straight to the polls after the
parade.
“It’s important to vote because your voice counts,” she said. “I decided to early vote because I didn’t want to stand in line on election day.”
“I didn’t want to procrastinate and it worked out perfectly because I was at the parade and I came over
to vote,” said Bobby Tatum, who grew up in Pine Bluff and now attends Henderson State University in Arkadelphia.
Bettie and John Hannon of White Hall say they like to cast their ballots early because of the
convenience.
“I voted early because it’s easier,” Bettie Hannon said. “There’s not a big massive crowd.”
John Hannon agreed.
“I just like to get in and out,” he said. “It’s a lot faster.”
