Early voting locations will be expanded to Loreauville and Delcambre thanks to a vote from the Iberia Parish Council this week. 

The Iberia Parish Council approved funding to create two new early voting locations in Loreauville and Delcambre at Wednesday’s council meeting.

The approval, which will not create a new precinct but will simply allow more convenient locations for Delcambre and Loreauville residents, will be funded from the General Fund after what several members called heated discussions in committee.

“We’re not opening a precinct, let’s just keep that in mind,” Councilman Scott Ransonet said. “We’re just expanding the ability to vote early. It will bring early voting closer to the residents, so there will be some funding but it’s to help the public that is paying for it.”

Ransonet estimated that a Loreauville residents will cut seven miles off a trip per person, which could be a money saver.

“This is the greatest country in the world whether you like it or not, and it’s because of voting,” Ransonet said. “Making it easier is the right thing to do.”

Councilman Cayman Crappell agreed with Ransonet, and said the move will provide better opportunities.

“It’s to make an equal opportunity to get everyone to vote,” he said.

Chairman Warren Gachassin said there was extensive debate in committee about the measure, but agreed that expanding opportunity to vote is a good thing.

“We talk about how bad the voter turnout is, this is another tool in the basket to give people the opportunity to vote,” Gachassin said.

The motion passed with two council members voting against.