More than 230,000 Voters Cast Early Ballots in Louisiana

The Secretary of State says more than 236,000 people cast votes during early voting in Louisiana. Nearly 7,000 voted in Caddo Parish.

The statewide total is almost double that of the last mid-term federal election in 2010. But it comes up far shy of the 356,603 early votes case in advance of presidential balloting in 2012.

Orleans and East Baton Rouge topped the 64 parishes in early votes cast, with 23,149 and 22,051, respectively.

According to the Secretary of State’s office:

-- Far more Democrats voted early - 124,050 - to Republicans - 79,700 and other or no party - 32,338.

-- Nearly two-thirds of the voters were white and a third black.

-- Women outpaced men voters by some 26,000.

Secetary of State Tom Schedler is predicting a 45 percent to 50 percent statewide voter turnout as veteran Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu faces a strong Republican challenge from U.S. Rep. Bill Cassidy and retired U.S. Air Force Col. Rob Maness.