By Robin Shannon

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Before going to the polls to vote in mid-term elections Tuesday, River Parishes residents went to lobservateur.com to voice their thoughts on what area of the ballot is most important to the region.

The results, which were tabulated Tuesday morning, show that about 40 percent of those participating in the online poll feel that the race for U.S. Senator between David Vitter and Charlie Melancon is most important to the future of the region.

Following close behind the senate race was a St. John the Baptist Parish proposition regarding rededication of sales tax funds for improvements to the water system, which collected 23 percent of the vote.

Tied for third in the poll were the races for Lt. Governor – between Caroline Fayard and Jay Dardenne – and District 8 St. John Parish School Board member – between incumbent Russ Wise and newcomer Beverly Harris. Both races each earned 15 percent of the vote in our poll.

The last option, which was the race for U.S. Representative between Republican Jeff Landry and Democrat Ravi Sangisetty, only earned 6 percent of the vote in the poll.

A full breakdown of responses follows:

• 42 percent chose “U.S. Senator.”

• 23 percent chose “St. John rededication of sales tax funds for improvement to the water system.”

• 15 percent chose “Lt. Governor.”

• 15 percent chose “St. John Parish School Board runoff between Russ Wise and Beverly Harris.”

• 6 percent chose “U.S. Representative for District 3.”