How To Vote in Louisiana's 2023 Elections

En español | Primaries are unique in Louisiana in that a candidate can win the election outright with a majority vote. If no one wins a majority, the top two candidates for a particular seat advance to the general election.

The municipal general election is April 29. The state’s gubernatorial primary is Oct. 14, and the gubernatorial general election is Nov. 18.

• Absentee voting: All registered voters 65 and older, as well as others with an eligible excuse, can vote absentee by mail. You’ll need to apply to do so — and you’ll need a witness signature on your ballot.

• Early in-person voting: Vote early and in person at a designated location in your parish.

• Voting at the polls: Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bring an acceptable photo ID, such as a Louisiana driver’s license.
  

The primary is Oct. 14, and the general election is Nov. 18.

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. You may cast a ballot as long as you were in line before 8 p.m.

More information about candidates is available at the secretary of state’s website. Sample ballots will be available about three weeks before the election.

Redistricting in 2022 has changed certain boundaries of the state’s U.S. congressional districts. Note that lawsuits over the new districts are pending.

Register online, by mail or in person:

• Online: Use the state’s GeauxVote online registration system to register or update your information. You will need the four-digit audit code on your Louisiana driver’s license or state special ID card to submit your application.
  

• By mail: Download and print an application from the secretary of state’s website. Mail your completed application to your local registrar of voters office. Or call your parish registrar of voters or the secretary of state’s office at 1-800-883-2805 to request a form.

•  In person: Go to any registrar of voters office and fill out a voter registration form. Bring a driver's license, social security card, birth certificate or other form of ID that proves your name, age and residency. Or register in person at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles or other state agencies.  
  

For the gubernatorial primary, register online by Sept. 23 or in person by Sept. 13. Mailed registration forms also must be postmarked by Sept. 13.

For the gubernatorial general election, register online by Oct. 28 or in person by Oct. 18. Mailed registration forms also must be postmarked by Oct. 18.

Louisiana has an open primary system, so all eligible voters can cast a ballot regardless of party affiliation. All candidates appear on the ballot and can win the election outright if they earn 50 percent plus one vote. If no one wins a majority, the top two candidates advance to the general election.

If a candidate wins the primary by a majority vote, that race will not appear on the general election ballot. 

Anyone 65 or older can vote absentee by mail. Others can vote absentee for approved reasons, such as a disability or being out of town during the voting period.

Request an absentee ballot online, by mail or in person:

• Online: Log in to the state’s voter portal, click the “request absentee ballot” link under quick links and complete the requested information.

• By mail: Print a general application form from the secretary of state’s website or call your parish registrar of voters to request an application. Mail your completed form to your parish registrar of voters.

• In person: Print and complete an application form, then hand-deliver it to your parish registrar of voters. You may also have an immediate family member deliver it for you, but that person may need to fill out additional paperwork.

Applications must be received by 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 10 for the gubernatorial primary and by 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 14 for the general election. Requests received after the deadline will not be accepted.

Separate disabled application and military or overseas application forms are also available. The disabled form requires proof of a disability, such as a doctor’s letter, a copy of your mobility impaired ID card issued by the motor vehicles office, or a copy of your Social Security disability benefits.

If you’re 65 or older, or have a disability, you can apply to automatically receive ballots for all future elections. And if you live in a nursing home, you can apply to participate in a special early voting program held one week before early voting starts. Find more information at the secretary of state’s website.

Place your completed ballot in the smaller ballot affidavit envelope and seal it. Fill out and sign the affidavit flap, which must be attached to the ballot envelope. You’ll also need a witness to sign, and if you received assistance, the person who helped you must sign as well.

Place your completed ballot affidavit envelope in the larger pre-addressed return envelope. Return your ballot by 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 13 for the gubernatorial primary and by 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 17 for the general election.

• By mail: Mail your completed ballot with proper postage to your parish registrar of voters.

• In person: Hand-deliver your ballot to your parish registrar of voters. You may also have an immediate family member deliver it for you, but that person will need to sign a statement certifying their relationship to you.

Watch a video explainer on the secretary of state’s YouTube channel. Track your absentee ballot through the state’s voter information portal.

Vote early at your designated parish location from Sept. 30 through Oct. 7 for the gubernatorial primary and Nov. 3 through Nov. 11 for the general election. Early voting is closed on Sundays and on Veterans Day. 

You must show an acceptable photo ID such as a Louisiana driver’s license, Louisiana special identification card or U.S. military ID. Voters also may show a digital copy of their license using the app LA Wallet. Registered voters without an ID can sign an affidavit with information to verify their identity.


Editor’s note: This guide was updated on April 6, 2023, with more information about voting in Louisiana. The guide was first published on Aug. 5, 2020.

• Follow AARP's political coverage at aarp.org/elections  
• Keep up with local events and AARP advocacy efforts at aarp.org/louisiana