Households with registered voters will soon receive a letter from the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office. It’s all part of an instructional campaign on how to take part in the state’s new closed primary system, which goes into effect for some races in 2026. As Deputy Secretary Joel Watson tells the Louisiana Radio Network, for certain elections, registered Democrats or Republicans will only be able to vote in their own party's primary. “And no party voters or unaffiliated voters can choose which party primary they want to participate in.”
Last year, The legislature mandated the switch to require voters to declare a party to take part in primaries for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission (PSC), and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). The first test of this new closed primary system comes in April with federal elections, along with Louisiana Supreme Court, PSC and BESE races. The runoff takes place in May. Winners of the primary races will face off in a November election. Watson says party affiliation is key to participating in party primaries. “The most important thing voters need to remember is to keep their voter registration up to date and current. Voters are also encouraged to visit GeauxVote.com/CCP or the GeauxVote mobile app. It provides Louisiana voters with a range of election information, including voter registration status, polling locations, personalized sample ballots, and real-time election results.
