How to Vote in Louisiana’s 2026 Elections

Voter registration

• Monday, Oct. 5, by 4:30 p.m. (deadline if registering in person or by mail).
• Tuesday, Oct. 13, by 11:59 p.m. (deadline if registering online).

Voting in person

• Tuesday, Oct. 20, through Tuesday, Oct. 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (excluding Sunday, Oct. 25): Early voting is available.
• Tuesday, Nov. 3, Election Day: Polls are open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voting by mail

• Friday, Oct. 30, by 4:30 p.m. (deadline to request a ballot).
• Monday, Nov. 2, by 4:30 p.m. (deadline for receipt of mail ballots, except for military, overseas and hospitalized voters, who have until 8 p.m. on the day of the election).

December Election

Below are some key dates for the Louisiana election in December. If needed, the U.S. House general election will be on Dec. 12. Other items on the Dec. 12 ballot won’t be determined until after the qualifying period ends Aug. 7,  results from the Nov. 3 election are certified and the Oct. 12 deadline has passed to notify the secretary of state of any propositions or special elections for that election.

Voter registration

• Thursday, Nov. 12, by 4:30 p.m. (deadline if registering in person or by mail).
• Saturday, Nov. 21, by 11:59 p.m. (deadline if registering online).

Voting in person

• Saturday, Nov. 28, through Saturday, Dec. 5, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (excluding Sunday, Nov. 29): Early voting is available.
• Saturday, December 12: Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Voting by mail

• Tuesday, Dec. 8, by 4:30 p.m. (deadline to request a ballot).
• Friday, Dec. 11, by 4:30 p.m. (deadline for receipt of mail ballots, except for military, overseas and hospitalized voters, who have until 8 p.m. on the day of the election).

How to register to vote

• 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 mail: Download and print an application from the secretary of state’s website. Mail your completed application to your parish registrar of voters; the address is on the form.
• In person: Go to any parish registrar of voters’ office and fill out a voter registration form. Bring your current Louisiana driver’s license, birth certificate or other forms of documentation that prove your identity, age and residency. You may also register in person at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles or other state agencies.

The deadline to register to vote is 20 days prior to an election if registering online or 30 days prior to an election if registering in person or by mail. If mailing your application, the application or envelope must be postmarked 30 days prior to the election.

Registering to vote on Election Day

Louisiana does not permit registration on the day of an election.

Check your voter registration status

Check whether you’re registered to vote through the Louisiana voter portal.

How to request an absentee ballot

Anyone 65 or older is eligible to vote absentee by mail. Others are eligible to vote absentee for approved reasons — such as living with a disability or being absent from their parish or outside the state during the voting period. You will need to list the election dates you want to vote via absentee ballot on your application.

• Online: Log in to the Louisiana voter portal, click Search by Voter and then enter your name, ZIP code, birth month and year, and then submit and follow the instructions.
• By mail or fax: Print a general application form from the secretary of state’s website, or call your parish registrar of voters to request an application. Mail or fax your completed form to your parish registrar of voters.
• In person: Print and complete an application form and 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.

Applications for absentee ballots must be received by your parish registrar of voters by 4:30 p.m. four days before the day of the election; military, overseas or hospitalized applicants have until 4:30 p.m. on the day before the election.

Disabled, military and overseas voters should contact their registrar of voters or visit the secretary of state’s website for instructions on voting absentee.

Returning your absentee ballot

Follow the printed instructions for returning your completed ballot. Detailed information is on the secretary of state’s website.

• 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 have an immediate family member deliver it for you, but that person will need to sign a statement certifying their relationship to you.

Voted ballots must be received by your parish registrar of voters by 4:30 p.m. the day before the election, unless you are a military, overseas or hospitalized voter, in which case your ballot must be received by your parish registrar of voters by 8 p.m. on the day of the election. Track your absentee ballot through the Louisiana voter portal.

Voting in person before Election Day

All registered voters may vote early, before the day of an election, at their designated parish location. Early voting starts 14 days before any scheduled election and ends seven days before it, running from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day. When one or more state holidays fall within an early voting period, the first day for early voting starts 15 days before the date of the election.

Voting at the polls on Election Day

Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all Saturday elections and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all Tuesday elections. You may cast a ballot as long as you are in line at 8 p.m. Use the Louisiana voter portal to find out where you vote on the day of the election, or call your parish registrar of voters. 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 does not come from political candidates, employers, union agents, poll commissioner in charge, or staff for a state residential facility.

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

A voter with a visible disability and the person helping them vote may go to the front of the line at polling places. Audio ballots are available to help those with disabilities.

Voters with disabilities have the option to vote via absentee ballot and can apply to vote absentee for all elections. The Disabled Absentee by Mail Ballot Application 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.

Voting from a nursing home or long-term care facility

If you live in a nursing home, you can apply to participate in a special early voting program that starts providing ballots to eligible residents two weeks before early voting starts. This is available through the final day of early voting. A registrar will visit your facility to oversee voting. Find more information at the secretary of state’s website.