Large voter turnout expected today

Large numbers of Louisianians are expected to show up at voting booths to make decisions for president, congressional representatives and a lengthy list of local races around the state.

Polls close at 8 p.m.

Secretary of State Tom Schedler expects long lines in urban areas and turnout that tops 70 percent of the state's 2.9 million registered voters.

At the top of the ticket is the presidential race. Also on the ballot in Louisiana are six U.S. House races, nine constitutional amendments and an open seat for the Louisiana Supreme Court. Local parish elections include school board seats, city council jobs and mayor's races.

The most hotly-contested congressional race is between Republican U.S. Reps. Charles Boustany and Jeff Landry, who were merged into the same district.

Voters in Orleans, Jefferson and Plaquemines also vote on tolls for the Crescent City Connection bridge.