By ROBIN SHANNON

L’Observateur

LAPLACE – Although the presidential debates between Barack Obama and Mitt Romney have garnered much press and much scrutiny over the past month, for many voters, especially those in the River Parishes, the exchanges between the president and his Republican challenger have done little to change anyone’s mind.

According to results of last week’s L’Observateur online poll, more than 80 percent of those who responded said the debates have played no role in their voting decision because they have already decided.

Only 6 percent of respondents said the debates were valuable in getting to know the candidates. Another 4 percent said the debates were entertaining, but not as useful as they are in the past.

A complete breakdown of results is as follows:

• 88 percent of respondents said, “the debates play no role, I know exactly who I am voting for.”

• 6 percent of respondents said, “the debates are a valuable tool to get to know the candidates.”

• 4 percent of respondents said, “the debates are entertaining, but not as useful as in the past.”

• 2 percent of respondents said, “I have no plans to vote in the presidential election.”