Louisiana General and Primary Election
Last update: Oct 15, 2026 01:04 a.m. EDT
Last update: Oct 14, 2026 01:24 a.m. EDT
Can I trust this information?
This election guide is researched, written, and updated by Democracy Works, a nonpartisan 501(c)(3) registered nonprofit organization, to inform voters via TurboVote and other partners. The information in these guides originates from official sources. The guides also link to authoritative state and local resources to provide additional information.
How do I report an issue with the information provided on this page?
Drop us a line to report an issue, share feedback or ask questions about the voting information on this page.
Registration Summary
Louisiana offers online voter registration. You can register by mail to vote in Louisiana by printing a voter registration form, filling it out, and mailing it to your local election office. You can also register to vote in person if you prefer.
Voting Summary
Louisiana offers absentee ballots by mail to voters who will be unable to vote in person. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Louisiana offers early voting.
19 days to Election Day!
- Vote early from Oct 20 to Oct 27. Dates and times may vary by location.
- Vote by mail: see if you’re eligible and request your absentee ballot online by Oct 30.
- Visit the Louisiana website to find where to vote.
- You may need to show an ID when you vote in person. See the “Do I need to bring an ID?” section below to learn more.
Register to Vote
Check that you're registered to vote on Louisiana's website.
What key changes should voters know about?
- Beginning January 1, 2026, to participate in primary elections for certain offices, including the US Senate, you must either register with the political party whose primary you would like to vote in, OR, if you are a No Party (unaffiliated) voter, select one party's ballot when you vote. Check your registration to make sure that you can vote in your preferred party’s primary election.
- Beginning January 1, 2025, you will need to provide proof of citizenship when you register to vote. This is due to a new law in Louisiana.
Visit the Louisiana Secretary of State website or contact your local election office to learn more.
How can I check the status of my mail ballot?
You can check the status of your ballot on Louisiana’s website.
How do election officials keep voting secure?
Election officials in your state and community are working hard to ensure the integrity of our elections. All states have implemented security measures to protect the vote.
Visit the Louisiana Secretary of State website to learn more about election security. If you’re interested in getting involved with elections in your community, contact your local election office to learn about opportunities in your area.
How do I vote in person?
Where can I vote on Election Day?
You can look up where to vote on Louisiana's site.
Can I vote early?
- Yes, early voting is offered in this election. You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
- Learn more about voting early in Louisiana.
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Louisiana’s site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in Louisiana.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- Louisiana driver's license or special ID card
- LA Wallet digital driver's license
- United States military identification card that contains your name and picture
- some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you may still cast your vote by signature on a voter affidavit.
Can I register to vote online?
- Louisiana offers online voter registration.
- To register online in Louisiana, you must provide your Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana special ID number and the 4-digit audit code printed on your ID card. You will also be asked to provide your Social Security number, but you are not required to do so. If you are at least 17 years old and don’t have a Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana special ID, you can still submit a voter registration application by mail.
Can I vote early?
Yes, Louisiana offers early voting.
- You can choose whether to vote on Election Day or during the early voting period, whichever is easier for you. This can be especially helpful if it would be difficult or not possible for you to vote on Election Day. Early voting locations may be less crowded, as well.
When can I vote early?
- You can vote in person before Election Day between Oct 20 and Oct 27. Dates and times may vary by location.
Where can I vote early?
- Early voting locations may be different from where you vote on Election Day. Check Louisiana's site to find where to vote early.
What do I need to bring?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in Louisiana.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- Louisiana driver's license or special ID card
- LA Wallet digital driver's license
- United States military identification card that contains your name and picture
- some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you may still cast your vote by signature on a voter affidavit.
Can I submit voter registration forms by mail?
Yes, you can submit your voter registration application by mail using the National Voter Registration Form or the Louisiana voter registration form.
Once you confirm that you’re eligible to vote, print your form and fill it out.
Here's some advice to complete the National Voter Registration Form:
Box 6 - ID Number:
To submit a voter registration application by mail in Louisiana, you must provide your Louisiana driver's license number OR Louisiana special ID card number, if you have one. If you do not have either of these ID numbers, you must instead provide the last four digits of your Social Security number.
If you have not been issued any of these ID numbers, indicate this on the form and submit with your application a copy of one or more of the following documents to prove your identity, residence, and date of birth:
- current and valid photo ID
- current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document
Box 7 - Choice of Party: To participate in presidential primary elections or elections for party committee members, you must register with the political party whose primary you would like to vote in.
To participate in Louisiana partisan primary elections for US Senate, Justice of the Supreme Court, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and Public Service Commission, you must either register with the political party whose primary you would like to vote in OR, if you are an unaffiliated voter, choose one party's ballot when you vote.
For all other races, you are NOT required to register with a party to participate in primary elections.
Box 8 - Race or Ethnic Group: In Louisiana, you are asked to indicate your race or ethnic group in the relevant box. However, you are not required to do so.
In Louisiana, state law requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Contact your local election office for more information about how that impacts the voter registration process where you live.
If you are registering to vote for the first time in your county and submit your registration application by mail, federal law requires you to provide proof of identification. Include an acceptable ID number, if you have been issued one, on your application. If you have not been issued an acceptable ID number, you must instead submit with your application a COPY of identification documentation OR show proof of identification when you vote. Acceptable forms of identification include a current and valid photo ID OR a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or government document that shows your name and address. More information about these requirements is available on the National Voter Registration Form.
- You may be exempt from federal proof of identification requirements if you are entitled to vote by absentee ballot under the Voting Accessibility for the Elderly and Handicapped Act or another federal law.
- Depending on your state, you may need to show additional identification when you vote, even if you meet federal identification requirements.
Once you’ve filled out all required fields on the form you selected, sign the completed form and send it to your local election office.
If you plan to return your application through the mail, be sure to mail your voter registration application before the deadline to ensure it's timely postmarked. Keep in mind that USPS might not postmark your mail on the day it's dropped off. You can also request a manual postmark at the counter of a USPS office. Find a USPS location near you.
How do I vote by mail?
Louisiana allows eligible voters to request a mail ballot. All other voters are expected to vote in person. Check to see if you’re eligible to vote by mail on Louisiana's site.
How do I get my ballot?
See if you’re eligible and request your absentee ballot online by Oct 30.
What should I do if I don’t get my ballot?
If you don’t receive your ballot in the mail, then contact your local election office.
How do I return my ballot?
- Read the instructions carefully on how to mark and return your ballot.
- You can return your ballot by mail or by visiting a dedicated drop off location.
- Contact your local election office for more information about where to return your ballot in person.
- If you choose to return your ballot by mail, the United States Postal Service (USPS) recommends that voters mail their completed ballots at least one week before the due date. Find a USPS location near you.
What do I need to do if I’ve moved?
What’s on your ballot depends on where you live, so your voter registration is tied to your exact address. If you’ve moved, you need to re-register with your new address.
Can I register to vote on Election Day?
No, this election does not offer in-person registration on Election Day.
Can I submit voter registration forms in person?
- You can complete a voter registration application in person. Contact your local election office for information on when and where to register to vote.
- Learn more by visiting the Louisiana Secretary of State website or contacting your local election office.
What are key deadlines for this election?
Registration deadlines
- In-person at local election office : Oct 5
- Online : Oct 13
- By mail (postmarked by) : Oct 5
Absentee ballot deadlines
- Request ballot (received by) : Oct 30 by 4:30 p.m. CDT
- Return ballot by mail (received by) : Nov 2 by 4:30 p.m. CST
- Return ballot in person : Nov 2 by 4:30 p.m. CST
Do I need to bring an ID to vote in person?
You will be asked to show photo ID to vote in Louisiana.
Acceptable forms of photo ID include:
- Louisiana driver's license or special ID card
- LA Wallet digital driver's license
- United States military identification card that contains your name and picture
- some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature
Voters without ID: If you are unable to provide ID, you may still cast your vote by signature on a voter affidavit.
How do I see what's on my ballot?
View official ballot information on the Louisiana Secretary of State website, if available.
How do I get help registering to vote?
TurboVote can help you make your plan to vote. They can help you start the registration process, learn how to vote by mail, send you election reminders, and more.
Who can register to vote?
To register in Louisiana you must:
- be a United States citizen
- be at least 17 years old (16 years old if registering in person at the Registrar of Voters Office or at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles), and you must be at least 18 years old to vote
- reside in the state and parish in which you seek to register
- not be 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
- not be under a judgment of full interdiction for mental incompetence or partial interdiction with suspension of voting rights
- be registered at least 20 days prior to an election if registering through the GeauxVote Online Registration System with a Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana special ID card or 30 days prior to an election if registering in person or by mail to be eligible to vote in that particular election. If mailing in an application, the application or envelope must be postmarked 30 days prior to the first election in which you seek to vote
How do I vote if I'm in the military or live overseas?
Active-duty military, their families, and overseas citizens can register to vote and request their absentee ballot using the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA). The FPCA process is done by mail, but your state may offer other options to request and return ballots. Please contact your local election office for more information about delivery and return methods, including email, fax, and state online portals. To follow the FPCA process:
- Fill out the Federal Post Card Application (FPCA), or download a copy. Your local election office may have questions, so please provide an email address or phone number where they can reach you.
- Send the application to your local election office.
- It is never too early to submit an FPCA! Please do so as soon as possible.
- Please fill out and send back your ballot as soon as you receive it.
- States begin mailing absentee ballots at least 45 days before Election Day. If you haven't received your ballot by 30 days before Election Day, contact your local election office.
If your ballot does not arrive after you submit your FPCA, contact your local election office first. Then:
- You can still vote using the Federal Write-In Absentee Ballot (FWAB). Print, sign, and mail your FWAB to your local election office.
- If you mail a FWAB and then receive your regular absentee ballot, you should complete and mail your absentee ballot also. Election officials will ensure that only one ballot is counted.
The Federal Voting Assistance Program offers additional information on military and overseas voting in Louisiana. You can also call 1-800-438-VOTE (8683) or email vote@fvap.gov
How can I check my voter registration status?
You can look up your voter registration record and verify that your information is correct using Louisiana's voter registration lookup tool.
How do I contact my state election office?
Which election office should I contact?
- In Louisiana, your local election office runs the elections in your area. They can help you with questions about registering to vote, voting by mail, and local elections.
- The Secretary of State oversees elections and election administration in Louisiana. They can help you with questions about voting in your state, election security, or issues you might have at the polls. If you have concerns about voter intimidation, reach out immediately.
How do I contact my local election office?
Visit your state’s site to find your local election office.