Local candidates are making one last push to connect with voters as more than 71,000 Jefferson County voters cast early ballots in the General Election.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s candidates Ray Beck, Republican, and Zena Stephens, Democrat, were busy Monday preparing for the big day.

“We are going from 11 polling places to 40 so we have to pick up those other 29 polling places, make sure there is proper signage as well as volunteers to work each of the polls and encourage people to vote Ray Beck,” candidate Ray Beck said.

Jefferson County early voting has surpassed early voting in previous presidential election years. In 2008 there were 64,190 early votes cast and 2012 with 67,925 votes cast early, according to information from the county clerk’s office. The grand total for this year’s early voting is 71,571.

Beck’s camp is encouraged by those numbers.

“We have worked hard this year to let people know who Ray Beck is and what Ray Beck stands for,” he said.

Stephens, who will make history if elected as being the first female and first black sheriff, said she and her camp have been connecting with voters.

“We have been calling people (registered Democratic voters) and going door-to-door, encouraging people to get out and vote tomorrow,” Stephens said. “This election is very important on a national and a local level.”

Jefferson County Constables will be out at various polling places on Tuesday to make sure things go smoothly.

Jefferson County Constable Precinct 2 Christopher Bates said constables were actually out on Friday, which was the last day for early voting.

“There is no real reason, per se. We know the lines could get long with some people as last minute voters,” Bates said. “We want to make sure everything runs smoothly for the election workers inside (polling places) as well as the citizens waiting to cast their votes. This year we want to be proactive in every effort to keep it running smooth.”

Carolyn Guidry, Jefferson County clerk, identified a number of polling places where there is likely to be a lot of activity. In Port Arthur those include the Port Arthur Library on Ninth Avenue and the sub-courthouse downtown.

“There is no type of threat. We don’t want people to think that and we don’t want people to be nervous,” he said. “This is simply to make sure it (Election Day) runs smoothly. Better to have then not to have.”

Mary Meaux: 409-721-2429

Twitter: @MaryMeauxPANews