1) EARLY VOTES: More than a quarter of a million people in Louisiana cast their ballots during the first two days of early voting for the November election. The total is slightly ahead of the same point during the last presidential cycle (259,512 to 258,017), though the demographic shift is more notable. 

Four years ago, white voters comprised 62 percent of the electorate after two days while Black voters were 34 percent, notes Edward Chervenak, director of the UNO Survey Research Center. This year, the proportion is 70 percent versus 26 percent, he says. 

Similarly, at this point in 2020, Democrats made up 52 percent of early voters, compared to only 40 percent this year. Voters registered as Republicans cast 113,269 ballots the first two days, compared to 103,806 cast by Democrats and 42,437 from everyone else. 

It’s still early, but an enthusiasm gap could be bad news for Democrats. While Louisiana may not have many competitive inter party races, pollster John Couvillon says Black enthusiasm (or lack thereof) in Louisiana tends to mirror what’s happening in the swing states of Georgia and North Carolina. 

2) FUNDRAISING: Checking in on the money chase for three high-profile races yields few surprises. 

Sen. Jean-Paul Coussan had a big head start and has far more money to spend than his competitors in the race for Public Service Commissioner Craig Greene’s seat. Coussan reported almost $466,000 on hand in his most recent report, having raised almost $184,000 and spent almost $192,000 from July 29 through Sept. 26. 

Fellow Republican Julie Quinn wasn’t that far behind when it came to raising money during the most recent reporting period, having garnered almost $127,000, which included a $50,000 loan to herself (via her law firm). She was starting from nothing and had spent very little, leaving her with almost $124,000 on hand. 

Democrat Nicholas Laborde had raised $6,911.20, spent $4,138.53 and had $4,451.48 on hand. Laborde has no illusions about being able to keep up with his opponents’ fundraising, but hopes that being the only Democrat can help him make the runoff. 

Senate and Governmental Affairs Chair Cleo Fields had raised almost $1 million in his bid to replace Congressman Garret Graves and spent roughly half of that total, according to his most recent report that covers through the end of September. By contrast, endorsed GOP candidate Elbert Guillory has raised a little more than $66,000 and spent about $36,000, leaving him with a little less than $30,000, while Democrat Quintin Anthony Anderson reported raising almost $29,000 (mostly his own money) and spending most of it. 

In the race for East Baton Rouge mayor-president, former Rep. Ted James has been outraising incumbent Mayor Sharon Weston Broome, touting around $360,000 on hand versus about $290,000. Sid Edwards, who is endorsed by the parish GOP, reported a little more than $32,000. 

A poll of “likely” voters released Monday showed James and Broome virtually tied (29 percent to 28 percent respectively) with Edwards at 22 percent. A poll of “decided” voters released last week suggested a very different race, with Broome at 34 percent, Edwards at 16 percent and James at 12 percent. 

3) TAX TAKEAWAYS: RESET Louisiana, a collaboration between the Council for A Better Louisiana, the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana and the Committee of 100 for Economic Development, hired former chief state economist Greg Albrecht to analyze Gov. Jeff Landry’s proposed tax overhaul. His study of the impact on households of the personal income and sales tax changes was released Monday. 

According to Albrecht, most Louisiana citizens would see a double-digit percentage tax cut, with more than half saving 20 percent or more. Income tax rates would be “modestly more progressive,” while sales taxes would become “slightly less regressive.” 

“Overall, the distribution of tax liabilities across all levels of income amounts to little or no change from the current system,” according to the report’s summary. 

Albrecht notes that there would be a significant learning curve for service providers who would be required to collect and remit sales taxes for the first time under Landry’s plan. 

Correction: Funding totals for the Public Service Commission race have been corrected.