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AARP AARP States Louisiana Voters

How to Vote in Louisiana’s 2024 Elections

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Important dates and election information

Key dates

  • Presidential primary: Saturday, March 23 
  • General election: Tuesday, Nov. 5 

Voting at a glance

  • 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 — and you’ll need a witness signature on your ballot. 
  • Early voting: Voters do not need a reason to vote early and may do so during regularly scheduled early voting periods. For early voting hours, visit the secretary of state's website.
  • Voting on Election Day: Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Bring an acceptable photo ID, such as a Louisiana driver’s license. 

What to know about recent changes

Redistricting has changed certain boundaries of the state’s U.S. congressional districts, potentially impacting which candidates appear on your ballot. Litigation is ongoing. Check back for updates.

Voter registration

For the presidential preference primary, the deadline to register to vote is on Wednesday, Feb. 21 if registering in person or by mail, and Saturday, March 2 if registering via the GeauxVote online registration system. Visit the secretary of state’s website for specific deadlines for subsequent elections.

  • In person: Go to any registrar of voters office and fill out a voter registration form. Bring your current Louisiana driver's license, Social Security card, birth certificate or other form of ID that proves your identity, age and residency. You may also register in person at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles or other state agencies.  
  • Online: Use the state’s GeauxVote registration system to register or update your information. You will need the four-digit audit code on your Louisiana driver’s license or the state’s special ID card to submit your application electronically. 
  • By phone: Call your parish registrar of voters or the secretary of state’s office at 1-800-883-2805 to request a form. 

Check whether you’re registered to vote through the state’s voter information portal.

Registering to vote on Election Day


Louisiana does not permit registration on Election Day.

Primary voting and party affiliation

For the presidential preference primary, only registered Democratic voters may vote in the Democratic Party primary, registered Republicans in the Republican Party primary, and registered independents in the Independent Party primary.

Ways to vote

Requesting an absentee ballot

Anyone 65 or older is eligible to vote absentee by mail. Others are eligible to vote absentee for approved reasons — for example, if they have a disability or will be out of town during the voting period. You will need to list the election dates you want to vote via absentee ballot on your application. (Disabled, military and overseas voters should contact their registrar of voters, or visit the secretary of state’s website for instructions on voting absentee.)

  • In person: Print and complete an application form, then hand-deliver it to your parish registrar of voters. You may have an immediate family member deliver it for you, but that person may need to fill out additional paperwork.
  • Online: Log in to the state’s voter portal, search by voter, enter your name, zip code, birth month and year. Once entered, click the “request absentee ballot” link and follow the instructions.

Applications must be received by Tuesday, March 19 for the presidential preference primary.
For more information on absentee voting, visit the secretary of state’s website.

Returning your absentee ballot

Follow the printed instructions for returning your completed ballot. A step-by-step guide is posted at the secretary of state’s website.

The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted absentee ballot is Friday, March 22 by 4:30 p.m. for the presidential preference primary, with the exception of military and overseas voters, whose ballots are due on Election Day.

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

Track your absentee ballot through the state’s voter information portal.

Voting in person before Election Day

All voters may vote before Election Day. Vote early at your designated parish location. For the presidential preference primary, early voting is Saturday, March 9 through Saturday, March 16 (excluding Sunday, March 10), from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Voting at the polls on Election Day

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

Use the Louisiana Voter Portal to find out where you vote on Election Day, or call your parish registrar of voters office.

The secretary of state’s office posts sample ballots online.

Voter ID requirements on Election Day

You must show an acceptable photo ID such as a Louisiana driver’s license, Louisiana special identification card or U.S. military ID card. Voters 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.

Voting with a disability 

Voters with disabilities may receive assistance while voting as long as the assistance doesn’t come from political candidates, employers or union agents, commissioner-in-charge, or staff for a state residential facility.

If you need help voting, you can either file a statement with your registrar in person or by mail before the election, or provide documentation to the commissioner on Election Day, such as a letter from a medical doctor. Visit the secretary of state’s website for examples of acceptable documentation.

A voter with a visible disability and the person assisting them in voting may go to the front of the line at polling places. Audio ballots are available to help the hearing-impaired.

Voters with disabilities have the option of voting via absentee ballot and can apply to vote absentee for all elections. The Disabled Application for Absentee by Mail Ballot requires proof of a disability, such as a doctor’s letter, a copy of your mobility-impaired ID card issued by the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles, or a copy of your Social Security disability benefits.

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. A registrar will visit your facility to oversee voting. Find more information at the secretary of state’s website.

More information about candidates

Key races:
U.S. President
U.S. House: six seats

More information about candidates is available at the secretary of state’s website.

Editor’s note: This guide was updated on Jan. 30, 2024, with new information about upcoming 2024 elections.

Michelle Tuccitto Sullo is a contributing writer covering state and federal policy. She previously served as managing editor of the Hartford Business Journal in Connecticut and has worked for the New Haven Register, Connecticut Law Tribune and New Haven Biz.

Also of Interest

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