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Voting & Elections Toolkits

Voting and advocacy resources by librarians for librarians

Voter Registration in Louisiana

Eligibility Requirements

  • Age:
    • Must be 18 years old before Election Day to vote
    • Can pre-register at 17 years old
    • Can pre-register at 16 years old only if registering in person at the Registrar of Voters Office or at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
  • Citizenship: Must be a U.S. citizen
  • Residence: Must be a resident of the State of Louisiana and of the parish in which you seek to register
  • Other
    • Formerly incarcerated individuals: May vote if they are not under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony or, if under such an order not have been incarcerated pursuant to the order within the last five years and not be under an order of imprisonment related to a felony conviction for election fraud or any other election offense pursuant to La. R.S 18:1461.2
    • Must not be under a judgment of full interdiction for mental incompetence or partial interdiction with suspension of voting rights

Additional Resources

Registration Deadlines

  • Eligible individuals can register to vote at any time.
  • Registration deadlines for 2024 are:
    • Presidential Preference Primary: 
      • In person/by mail: February 21
      • GeauxVote Online: March 2
      • Request Absentee Ballot: March 19 by 4:30pm
    • Presidential & Congressional Election:
      • In person/by mail: October 7
      • GeauxVote Online: October 15
      • Request Absentee Ballot: November 1 by 4:30pm
    • Congressional Election
      • In person/by mail: November 6
      • GeauxVote Online: November 16
      • Request Absentee Ballot: December 3 by 4:30pm
  • The deadline to register to vote in an upcoming election is
    • at least 20 days prior to the election in which you seek to vote if registering through GeauxVote Online with a Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana special ID card
    • at least 30 days prior to an election in which you seek to vote if registering in person or by mail. If mailing an application, the application or envelope must be postmarked 30 days prior to the first election in which you seek to vote.

Additional Resources

Online Registration

If you are a Louisiana resident and have a valid Louisiana driver's license number or Louisiana special ID card, visit GeauxVote Online to submit a new registration or to update or change your existing record.

In Person Registration

You may register to vote in person at any of the following locations:

  • Any Registrar of Voters Office
  • Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
  • Louisiana Department of Child and Family Services
  • WIC Offices
  • Food Stamp Offices
  • Medicaid Offices
  • Offices serving people with disabilities, such as Deaf Action Centers and Independent Living Offices
  • Armed Forces recruitment offices

You may wish to download, complete, and print the Louisiana Voter Registration Application (PDF) to bring with you, but you are not required to do so.

By Mail Registration

To register by mail, download, complete, and print the Louisiana Voter Registration Application (PDF). Then, mail it to your local Registrar of Voters Office.

ID Requirements

Refer to the ID Requirements for Louisiana Voters box below for information about ID requirements.

Additional Resources

Updating Registration      

  • Registered, but need to update information:
  • Moved:
    • Within same parish: Notify parish Registrar of Voters in addition to updating information online, in person, or by mail
    • To different parish: Must register with new parish, have 3 month grace period
    • Must verify change of address online, or in person on Election Day or completing address confirmation card at Registrar of Voters
  • Inactive voters
    • Must verify residential address prior to voting
    • Can verify online, in person on Election Day or completing address confirmation card at Registrar of Voters, or by mail
  • Displaced due to emergency:
    • Remain registered at pre-emergency address if have not changed registration address or filed homestead exemption on different residence
    • Provide updated mailing address, if different from pre-emergency address, to local Registrar of Voters

Cancelling Registration

To cancel your voter registration, complete a Cancel Voter Registration Form and submit it to the Registrar of Voters in your parish either in person or by mail.

Additional Resources

ID Requirements for Louisiana Voters

ID Requirements for Registration

  • Online Registration via GeauxVote Online
    • Must have Louisiana's driver's license or Louisiana special ID card in hand
    • Must enter a Audit Code, a four digit number labeled AUDIT on front of the card
  • In Person Registration
    • If registering at a Registrar of Voters, you must prove age, residency, and identity using any of the following documents:
      • Current Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana special identification card
      • Social Security card, Birth certificate, or other documentation that establishes age, residency, and identity
      • If have none of the above: current and valid photo identification, copy of current utility bill, bank statement, government check, or government document that includes name and address
    • If registering at a mandated site, no further identification required beyond whatever proof required for services received that you applied for at that public agency
  • By Mail Registration
    • Must complete and return verification mailing card from Registrar of Voters sent to address provided on registration application

Additional Resources

ID Requirements for Voting

  • To vote, you must have one of the following types of photo identification (ID):
    • Louisiana driver's license, Louisiana special identification card, or Louisiana Wallet digital driver's license
    • Any other generally recognized picture ID with your photo and signature
    • United States military identification card with your name and photo
  • If you do not have a photo ID, you may:
    • Obtain a free Louisiana special identification card by presenting your voter registration card to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
    • Vote by affidavit after correctly answering identifying information before voting

Additional Resources

How to Get an ID to Vote

  • Obtain a free Louisiana special identification card by presenting your voter registration card to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
  • Vote by affidavit after correctly answering identifying information before voting

How to Get a Driver's License or ID Card

Additional Resources

Casting a Ballot in Louisiana

Election Dates

  • Presidential Preference Primary: March 23, 2024
  • Presidential & Congressional: November 5, 2024
  • Congressional: December 8, 2024

Additional Resources

Early Voting Dates and Locations

  • Presidential Preference Primary: March 9-March 16 (excluding March 10), 8:30am-6:00pm
  • Presidential & Congressional General Election: October 18-October 29, 8:30am-6:00pm
  • Congressional General Election: November 22-November 30, 8:30am-6:00pm
  • List of Early Voting Locations

Additional Resources

Who Can Request Absentee Voting

Louisiana uses three different absentee ballot request forms:

Deadlines To Request Absentee Ballot

  • General and Disabled Applications: By 4:30pm CST on fourth day before election day
    • Presidential Preference Primary Request Deadline: March 19, 2024
    • Presidential & Congressional Election Request Deadline: November 1, 2024
    • Congressional Election Request Deadline: December 3, 2024
  • Military and Overseas Applications: By 4:30pm CST on day before election day
    • Presidential Preference Primary Request Deadline: March 22, 2024
    • Presidential & Congressional Election Request Deadline: November 4, 2024
    • Congressional Election Request Deadline: December 6, 2024

Requesting Absentee Ballot

  • You can use GeauxVote Online to request any absentee ballot application. 
    • Select Search By Voter button
    • Enter and Submit your First and Last Name, Zip Code, and Birth Month and Year
    • Select Request Absentee Ballot link under Quick Links heading
    • Complete and Submit requested information
    • Note you must be logged in as the voter for whom the absentee ballot request is intended.
  • You can mail or fax any absentee ballot application to the parish Registrar of Voters.
    • Note you can only hand deliver or fax an absentee ballot application for yourself or an immediate family member.
  • You can email the Registrar of Voters a Military or Overseas Application Ballot by Mail (PDF).

Deadlines for Returning Absentee Ballots

  • General and Disabled Voters: By 4:30pm CST on day before election day
    • Presidential Preference Primary Request Deadline: March 22, 2024
    • Presidential & Congressional Election Request Deadline: November 5, 2024
    • Congressional Election Request Deadline: December 6, 2024
  • Military and Overseas Voters: By 8:00pm CST on election day
    • Presidential Preference Primary Request Deadline: March 19, 2024
    • Presidential & Congressional Election Request Deadline: November 5, 2024
    • Congressional Election Request Deadline: December 7, 2024

Returning Absentee Ballots

  • Mail or Fax to Registrar of Voters
  • Hand Deliver to Registrar of Voters
    • Only voter or immediate family member of voter can deliver
    • Signed statement must be completed upon delivery if immediate family member
  • Emergency Provisions
    • Apply for Military, Overseas, and Hospitalized voters, including electronic delivery
    • Contact Registrar of Voters for information

Additional Resources

Find Your Polling Place

Election Day Voting Hours

  • Voting hours are determined by the day on which the election is held:
    • Saturday elections: 7:00am-8:00pm
    • Tuesday elections: 6:00am-8:00pm
  • If you encounter any problems or have questions, the Registrar of Voters in each parish will be open:
    • Saturday elections: 7:00am-9:00pm
    • Tuesday elections: 6:00am-9:00pm

Additional Resources

Rides to the Polls

Ride to the Polls from the Power Coalition for Equity & Justice provides rides to polls for the Presidential Election. Rides can be requested for November 3-9, 11, and 18.

Requirements for Proof of Disability

  • May submit the following documentation to the Registrar of Voters before election day:
    • Copy of your current mobility impairment identification card bearing your photograph and the international symbol of accessibility issued by the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
    • Current proof of disability from a physician
    • Copy of current documentation showing eligibility for disability benefits from either social security, veterans affairs, paratransit services, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities or benefits from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services
    • If submitting by mail, must also include Louisiana driver's license, special ID card, or other picture ID with name and signature
    • If seeking absentee voting for first time, must submit doctor's letter certifying unable to vote in person
  • May provide the following documentation to the commissioner on election day:
    • Letter from a medical professional certifying to disability
    • Copy of current documentation showing eligibility for disability benefits from either social security, veterans affairs, paratransit services, Office for Citizens with Developmental Disabilities or benefits from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services

Accessible Voting for Persons with Disabilities

  • Entitled to assistance from person of your choice if unable to read or to vote without assistance due to physical disability
  • People prohibited from assisting voters:
    • candidate in the election
    • employer or employer's agent cannot assist an employee
    • union agent cannot assist a union member
    • commissioner-in-charge
    • staff for a state residential facility cannot assist residents of their facility in voting.
  • If have visible physical disability or have current mobility impairment ID card, you and person assisting you go to the front of the line at your polling place
  • May use audio ballot through Audio Voting Keypad or Audio Tactile Interface
  • Accommodations to Assist In Person Voting
    • Adjusting voting machine for sitting or wheelchair
    • Audio accessible voting machines and audio voting keypads
    • 2X magnifier available on request
    • Adjustable screen text size on early voting machines
    • Braille voting instructions
    • Extended voting time to 20 minutes if need assistance or using audio voting keypad
    • May bring personal:
      • Headphones to use with audio voting keypad
      • Flashlight for additional lighting in voting machine
      • Signature tool to assist in signing name
  • Accessibility Requirements for Polling Places
    • Doors wide enough for wheelchairs
    • Ramps or elevators anywhere with steps
    • Reserved accessible parking
    • Walkways accessible and free of obstacles
  • If polling place not accessible, contact your parish's Clerk of Court's Office or Secretary of State (800-883-2805)

Additional Resources

Elections

How Do Open Primary Elections Work in Louisiana?

  • Primary elections are held for for all state, parish, municipal and congressional offices.
  • "Open" primary means all eligible voters may cast a vote in the election regardless of party affiliation.
  • To be elected, candidates must receive a majority vote (more than 50%).
  • If no candidate receives a majority vote, a general election, or run-off, is held.

How Do General Elections Work in Louisiana?

  • All qualifying candidates from the primary election enter the general election.
  • To be elected, candidates must receive the most votes.

How Do Presidential Elections Work in Louisiana?

  • Presidential preference primary elections are held for political parties with 40,000 or more registered voters.
  • Presidential preference primary elections are closed, meaning only voters registered for those political parties can vote in them.
  • Louisiana has 3 political parties that hold presidential preference primary elections:
    • Democratic
    • Independent
    • Republican
  • Presidential elections use electors from each state in the Electoral College.
  • Candidates with the most total votes receive all eight of Louisiana's votes in the Electoral College.

Additional Resources

Information About Candidates

You can search the Candidate Database for information.

  • To search for state wide or multi-parish offices:
    • Select Date of Election from drop down menu
    • Select one or more Offices from list
    • Select View Candidates for Selected Race(s)
  • To search for elections in a Parish:
    • Select Date of Election from drop down menu
    • Select Races in a Parish
    • Select Parish from drop down menu

Sample Ballots

You can view sample ballots two to three weeks prior to an election to prepare for voting. These sample ballots are available:

Who Conducts Elections?

In Louisiana, the Secretary of State's Elections Division is responsible for:

  • administering all laws governing voter registration and elections
  • maintaining the statewide voter registration system
  • scheduling elections and qualifying candidates for elections
  • purchasing and maintaining absentee, early voting and election day voting equipment
  • programming all equipment with election specific information and delivering and testing on all equipment statewide
  • printing and distributing absentee paper ballots
  • statewide support of administering elections during early voting and on election day
  • election night tally and transmission of results
  • paying for all election expenses
  • compiling, reporting and maintaining official elections returns and statistics

Other Election Related Duties

Voter Rights

Louisiana Voters' Bill of Rights and Voting Information (PDF)

Additional Resources

Local or State Elections

  • The Elections Compliance Unit (ECU) of the Secretary of State's Office investigates violations of Louisiana election code, including:
    • Voter fraud
    • Vote buying
    • Voter intimidation
    • Persons providing false or misleading information during registration or voting process 
  • Report violations by:
    • Calling the Election Fraud Hotline: 1-800-722-5305
    • Submitting an online form to the Elections Compliance Unit (ECU) or the Commissioner of Elections
    • Mailing a notarized complaint to the following address: Commissioner of Elections, Department of State, P.O. Box 94125, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9125

Federal Elections

Recent Campaign Finance Reports

The Louisiana Ethics Administration Program has scanned versions of campaign finance reports starting in 1999.

Historic Campaign Finance Reports

Contact Your Elected Officials

General Resources on Voting and Elections

General Resources on Voting and Elections

Election Protection Hotlines

1-866-OUR-VOTE (866-687-8683)

1-888-VE-Y-VOTA (888-839-8682) (en Español)

1-888-API-VOTE (888-274-8683) (Asian multilingual assistance)

1-844-YALLA-US (844-925-5287) (Arabic)

Voter Registration & Election Day Resources

Find useful voter information including:

  • Local Election Office and Contact Information
  • Address, Telephone and Email for Local Election Offices
  • Upcoming Federal Election Dates and Deadlines
  • Upcoming State Election Dates and Deadlines
  • Eligibility Requirements
  • Identification Requirements
  • Voter Materials Transmission Options
  • State Lookup Tools – Am I Registered? Where’s my Ballot?

Population-Specific information and Resources

Voting Rights: Laws, Cases, Policy

Voter Engagement

Voter Education

Campaign Finance/Funding Information

Primary Sources, Lesson Plans & Exhibits

Disclaimer

Librarians from the Government Documents Round Table (GODORT), a Round Table of the American Library Association (ALA), created these reference guides. These guides are intended for informational purposes only and are not in any way intended to be legal advice.

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These guides are designated with a Creative Commons license and re-use and modification for educational purposes is encouraged.

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.