Today is the deadline to change registration for upcoming closed primary in person or via mail.
If you want to vote in one of the upcoming party primary elections next month, you may want to check your registration today.
“April 15 is not just Tax Day, but also the deadline to register to vote or make changes to an existing registration in person or by mail ahead of the May 16 closed party primary election,” The Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office noted in a news release.
If you want to vote in the Democratic Primary, you must be registered as a Democrat or as “no party.” Likewise, voters wanting to cast a ballot in the Republican Primary have to be registered as a Republican or as “no party.”
“Voters who miss that deadline still have time to act online. Registration and updates can be completed through GeauxVote.com or the GeauxVote mobile app until April 25.”
Officials remind voters that Louisiana’s May 16 election will feature a closed party primary system for the first time since the Legislature voted to make the change back in 2024.
Unlike in past open primaries, Democratic and Republican voters will receive ballots specific to their party.
“Unaffiliated, or ‘No Party’ voters may choose to participate in either party’s primary—or neither—by completing a Declaration of Ballot Choice during early voting or on Election Day. This selection does not change party affiliation, but it does determine which primary ballot the voter receives. This declaration carries through to any necessary runoff in June.”
The news release also explains that third-party voters, such as members of the Green or Libertarian parties, cannot participate in Democratic or Republican primaries but may vote in eligible races, propositions, and constitutional amendments.
Party is not a factor when the General Election is held.
“During the November general election, registered voters, regardless of party, will be able to vote for any candidate in the general primary in November.”
The Secretary of State’s Office says it is also addressing false and misleading information circulating on social media regarding inactive voter status.
The news release notes that individuals who are on the inactive voter list are still eligible to vote but will be required to confirm their address prior to voting.
“Both federal and state laws require states to engage in meaningful voter list maintenance. The foundation of secure elections starts with clean and accurate voter lists,” Secretary Landry said. “Maintaining an inactive voter list is a routine and responsible part of that process. It ensures that when we conduct elections, we are working from the most up-to-date and reliable information possible. Being moved to the inactive list does not take away anyone’s right to vote but simply means we need to confirm their information is current.”
A voter is placed on the inactive list for only two reasons:
- The voter has had no activity, including voting, in the last 10 years; or
- The voter’s address could not be verified by their parish Registrar of Voters, often due to returned mail or routine canvassing.
“Voters on the inactive list will have ample opportunity to confirm their address and be placed back on the active voter list. They may do this by updating their registration in person, by mail, or online at GeauxVote.com, or by completing an address confirmation form at the polls. Failure to do so within two federal election cycles, whether at the polling place or their Registrar of Voters’ Office, will result in their record being removed from the voter registration list. If this happens, the voter simply needs to submit a new voter registration application to re-register, which can be done online.”
You can check you registration status at GeauxVote.com or with the GeauxVote mobile app.
