VIDALIA, La. &045; In the rest of the country, political ads gave way to Christmas sale announcements a month ago, but Louisiana voters won’t get a break from the mudslinging until Saturday.

Every day, the frequency of advertisements increases, as Democratic U.S. Sen. Mary Landrieu defends her seat against Republican Elections Commissioner Suzanne Haik Terrell, and GOP newcomer Lee Fletcher and state Rep. Rodney Alexander, D-Quitman, duke it out for departing U.S. Rep. John Cooksey’s post in Washington.

Even local politicos have entered the fray. Earlier this week, Vidalia and Ferriday Mayors Hyram Copeland and Glen McGlothin pledged their support for Landrieu.

Concordia Parish Clerk of Court predicted a 40 percent turnout &uot;at best,&uot; and only about 200 absentee votes have been cast, compared to well over 300 in the last round Nov. 5.

Even so, polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday for the diehard believers in the democratic process who are dedicated enough to cast their ballots.

And those votes will surely count in what pollsters say will be two close races.

In the Nov. 5 elections, Terrell came in a distant second to Landrieu, but has since garnered the support of Gov. Mike Foster and top national leaders. Both Vice President Dick Cheney and George Bush pere were in the state to campaign on her behalf.

The race for the Fifth Congressional District is similarly tight. Alexander was the front-runner Nov. 5, but Fletcher has the blessing and support of Cooksey, his former boss and a popular political figure in north Lousiana.