What do Louisiana voters need to know about the upcoming presidential primary?
Voters should bring an ID with them to vote.
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – Lousiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry has some reminders for voters as the state's Presidential Preference Primary approaches in March.
The most important note is that the primary is a closed-party primary.
Louisiana elections are typically known as a jungle primary, meaning all candidates on the ballot together regardless of party; however, the national primary changes that.
In the Presidential Preference Primary, only Democrats and Republicans can vote for their party of registration's respective ticket for the presidency of the United States.
The Louisiana SOS Office notes that there will be 24 parishes that also have local measures on the ballot, and voters may cast votes in local races regardless of party if their jurisdiction is included. Ahead of registration deadlines, voters should check their registration status, including registered party affiliation.
The deadline to register to vote online using the GeauxVote Registration System is March 2.
Early voting is March 9 -16 (excluding Sunday, March 10) from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. Early voting locations can be found at voterportal.sos.la.gov/earlyvoting.
The deadline to request an absentee ballot is March 19 by 4:30 p.m. (except for military and voters living abroad). Voters can request an absentee ballot online through the Voter Portal or in writing through the Registrar of Voters Office.
The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted absentee ballot is March 22 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and U.S. registered voters living abroad).
Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
Voters can find their polling location and sample ballot by downloading the GeauxVote mobile app or by visiting Voter Portal.
Voters can sign up for electronic notifications via GeauxVote mobile.
Voters should bring an ID with them to vote. Accepted forms are a Louisiana Driver's License, a Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification with name and signature such as a passport, or a digital license via LA Wallet.
Election results can be viewed in real-time via Geaux Vote Mobile or at www.sos.la.gov.
For more information or to report potential polling place accessibility issues, please call the Elections Hotline at 800-883-2805, with TDD/TTY access at 711, or email the Elections Division at elections@sos.la.gov.
Louisiana's Presidential Preference Primary is Saturday, March 23.