After seven days of early voting, today is the last day to early vote for the Oct. 24 Gubernatorial Election.

There are 16 elected positions and 80 candidates on the ballot in St. John the Baptist Parish, so voters are encouraged to evaluate each candidate’s platform before making a final decision.

Unlike elections in the past, this election is being saturated with negative campaigning and misinformation. This information is being circulated through print material, digitally and using social media, which is destructive and can divide our community during and following the election.

With a large field of candidates, it is very important that voters do their homework before making their decisions. This is a critical time in our parish’s history, and the future of our community will be greatly impacted by our choices in the voting booth.

A failure to elect good leaders can have a long-lasting affect on our community and our children.

Please exercise your right to vote early through 6 p.m. tonight.

On Election Day, polling sites will be open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Photo identification is required and campaign paraphernalia and clothing are not allowed at the polls.

A list of polling locations and ballot information can be found on the Louisiana Secretary of State’s voterportal.sos.la.gov or by calling the St. John Parish Registrar of Voters Office at 985-652-9797 or 985-497-3425.

Below are important dates to note before Oct. 24:

Deadline to request mail-in ballot: Oct. 20.

Deadline to return mail-in ballot: Oct. 23.

Election Day: Oct. 24.

The 42nd Annual Andouille Festival presented by Marathon Petroleum is also this weekend and everyone is invited to attend.

The festival is open from 11 a.m. to midnight today and 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday.

The Jazz Brunch featuring Robin Barnes and a variety of local restaurants will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sunday morning in the Community Center.

Tickets are available on the festival grounds and at the door for $30 each.

Come out for a smokin’ good time!

Natalie Robottom is St. John the Baptist Parish President. She can be reached at communications@sjbparish.com.