LAPLACE — Early voting for Nov. 21’s general election starts today in St. John the Baptist Parish and across Louisiana.

St. John Registrar of Voters Rita Jarrow said early voting runs from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. today through Nov. 14 at 1801 W. Airline Highway in LaPlace and at 2393 Highway 18 in Edgard.

However, Jarrow said early voting is not available Sunday or Wednesday, because of Veterans Day.

Local interest in the Nov. 21 election has spilled over from last month as many hotly-contested races have reached runoff stage. St. John voters still must decide who will be the next Parish President, Sheriff and Assessor.

Three spots remain open on the St. John Parish Council.

Still up for grabs is the Division A Council at Large position, which was whittled down to two last month as Larry Sorapuru Jr. (47.18 percent) and Sylvia Taylor-Dunn (26.68 percent) finished as the top vote getters.

In District 1, Kurt Becnel led all vote getters with 48.39 percent of the turnout. Lester “Coach” Smith, who collected 34.58 percent of the vote, joins him in the runoff.

Incumbent Arthur “Dokie” Smith finished third and did not make the runoff.

In District 2, voters cut the field from four to two, pegging Julia Remondet (43.59 percent) and incumbent Ranney Wilson (22.41 percent) for the runoff.

In addition to local election battles, statewide races for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General are also on the ballot.

Jarrow, in her third year as Registrar of Voters, said more than 4,000 residents voted early last month, setting up an overall turnout of 51 percent in St. John Parish.

“Some people said that was a small turnout, but I thought it was pretty big,” she said.

Jarrow encourages those battling illness or with travel and vacation plans to vote early because it saves them from going through the traditional Saturday voting lines late this month.

“Early voting is good for those who support a candidate and want to spend Election Day helping them campaign,” Jarrow said. “They can come get their vote out of the way with early voting and work all day on Election Day for their candidate.”

Jarrow said those wishing to vote early must show a valid state identification card. She also reminds all political supporters that voter solicitation is not allowed within 600 feet of voting locations.

Call 985-652-9797 or 985-331-4559 for more information.

Voters can also utilize the state’s smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to find out where to vote, what’s on their ballot and in which voting district they live.