Folks – if you can’t vote on election day, Tuesday is your last chance. Wait times vary. I voted early Thursday at 2 p.m. and was out in an hour-and-a-half, but a friend who was at City Hall in the morning took two-and-a-half hours. My wife voted on Saturday and got out five hours later. I hear the lines are shorter at the Algiers County Courthouse, but theoretically, that site is supposedly for West Bankers. Is it in practice? You might want to find out if you’re short on time. In my experience, the process was about as efficient as it could be, and they took good care of special needs voters, hustling them in as quickly as possible. Whatever the case, I recommend taking a book and an iPod.

Here’s the info:

Early voting in Person is available 14 to 7 days prior to a set election, excluding Sunday. This period covers two Saturdays to accommodate out of town or working citizens. The Registrar’s office is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. This is an option for persons who know they will be out of town on election day or for personal reasons they do not wish to visit their polling site. Early voting in person is available at the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters Office in City Hall at 1300 Perdido Street, Rm. 1W23.

Residents of the Westbank may vote early at the Registrar’s satellite office at the Algiers Courthouse at 225 Morgan Street.

You must bring a Louisiana Driver’s License, Louisiana Special ID or other official picture ID when you vote early in person. If you do not have a picture be prepared to bring other proof of residency such as a utililty bill and be prepared to fill out an affidavit.