Voting in Louisiana

Get more information on how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting elections in Louisiana.

Upcoming Elections and Deadlines in Louisiana

Statewide & Federal
Local

Voter Registration In Louisiana

Who Can Register In Louisiana

To register to vote in Louisiana, you must:
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Be a resident of Louisiana and of the parish in which you wish to register
- Be at least 17 years old, or 16 years old if registering in person at the Registrar of Voters Office or at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles
- Not have been declared “non-compos mentis” or “mentally incompetent” by a court of law
- 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 (if you have a past conviction, learn more about your eligibility to vote here)

You must register to vote at least 20 days prior to an election if registering online or 30 days prior to an election if registering in person or by mail.

Louisiana Election Day Registration

Louisiana does not offer Election Day registration, so be sure to submit your voter registration before the deadline.

Pre-registration

You can pre-register to vote in person in Louisiana when you turn 16, or by any method when you turn 17.

Voting Rights Restoration

Louisiana only restores the right to vote if you appear in person at the registrar of voters office, complete a voter registration application, and provide documentation to prove that you have completed your probation and/or parole or that you have not been incarcerated within the last five years and are not under an order of imprisonment related to a felony conviction for election fraud or any other election offense. The application and documentation may be submitted by mail if you are unable to appear in person due to a disability.

If you have a past conviction, learn more about your eligibility to vote here.

Voting In Louisiana

Where To Vote In Louisiana

You can search for your polling place here.

Vote-by-mail & Absentee

Voters can typically only vote by mail in Louisiana with an approved excuse. Following a judicial decision, during COVID-19, a COVID-19 absentee ballot application is available with an expanded list of approved excuses, including experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, being under medical quarantine, being at higher risk from COVID-19, or caring for someone under medical quarantine.

To request a vote by mail ballot in Louisiana, apply online, or complete a PDF application and return by mail, fax, or in person to the registrar of voters. The paper version of the application must include your original, non-digital signature.

Click here to track your Louisiana vote by mail ballot.

To return your Louisiana vote by mail ballot, you can mail it back, or you or a member of your immediate family may hand-deliver the ballot to the registrar of voters. You may also be able to return your vote by mail ballot by fax upon request submitted to the registrar of voters. Your ballot must be received by 4:30pm on the day before Election Day.

Early Voting In Louisiana

Louisiana offers in-person early voting. No excuse is needed to vote early. Early voting begins 14 days before the election (15 if there is a state holiday) and ends 7 days before the election.

Primary Elections In Louisiana

Louisiana has closed presidential primaries and open congressional primaries. Voters registered with a particular party may only vote in that party's presidential primary. Any registered voter can participate in primary congressional elections, regardless of political party. 17-year-olds cannot vote in any primary election even if they will be 18 by the corresponding general election.

Voter ID In Louisiana

Voter ID Requirements

Photo ID is required to vote in Louisiana. Valid forms of ID include:
- Louisiana driver's license
- a Louisiana special identification card
- LA Wallet digital driver's license
- other generally recognized picture identification card that contains the name and signature of the applicant

If you do not have an approved form of ID, all registered voters may obtain a free Louisiana special identification card by presenting a voter information card to the Office of Motor Vehicles. If you go to your polling place without an approved form of ID, you may still cast your vote by signature on a voter affidavit.

Additional Louisiana Resources

Your State Election Official

Louisiana Secretary of State
R. Kyle Ardoin
https://www.sos.la.gov/ElectionsAndVoting/Pages/default.aspx
Phone number: 225.922.0900

Overseas & Military Voting

Voting As A Student

Voting For People With Disabilities

Learn more about voting in Louisiana if you have a disability.

Voting For People With Convictions

If you have a past conviction, learn more about your eligibility to vote from Restore Your Vote.