Louisiana Election Law

Related Information

Voter Registration

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
MethodIn person, mail, online.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
DeadlineIn person or by mail; 30 days before Election Day.
Online; 20 days before Election Day.		No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
AutomaticNoNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Same DayNoNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity

Absentee Ballot Application

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
ExcuseExcuse required; listed in RS 18:1303.COVID-19 specific reasons were added to list of excuses for requesting an absentee ballot.No Legislative Activity
AutomaticOnly for qualifying and opting-in senior citizens or disabled voters.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
DeadlineFor General and Disabled applications; 4:30 PM on the 4th day before Election Day.
For Military, Overseas, or Hospitalized applications; 4:30 PM the day before Election Day.		No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Valid for X# of Cycles1No ChangesNo Legislative Activity

Absentee Ballot Return (other than by mail)

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
Voter IDPhoto ID or affidavit required; if no photo ID, ballot subject to challenge.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
In PersonYes; only at registrar's office.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Drop BoxYes; only at registrar's office.No ChangesSB 90 Increased Security of Drop Boxes
See Line 120 of Bill
Return DeadlineFor General and Disabled voters; 4:30 PM on Election Day.
For Military, Overseas, and Hospitalized voters; 8PM on Election Day.		No ChangesNo Legislative Activity

Ballot Harvesting

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
ProhibitedYesNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Limited 3rd PartyNoNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Paid Political OperativesNoNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity

Early Voting

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
By MailNoNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
In PersonPermitted from fourteen days to seven days before Election Day.No ChangesHB0286 (enrolled) extends the early voting period for presidential elections to eighteen days to seven days before Election Day.

Voter Identification - Absentee Ballot

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
Signature VerificationNoNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Witness StatementNoNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Other---
Cure ProcessNoNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity

Voter Identification - In Person

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
Photo IDRequiredNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Other OptionsIf the voter does not present valid photo ID, the voter may sign an affidavit and vote by provisional ballot.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Provisional BallotsAvailable for voters without ID or voters voting outside of their parish.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity

Voting Day

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
Hours7AM-8PM for Saturday elections;
6AM-9PM for Tuesday elections.		No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Wait TimeNo LegislationNo ChangesNo Legislative Activity
ElectioneeringProhibited within 600 feet of a polling place.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity
Other---

Voter Rolls

Pre-COVIDDuring 20202021 Legislative Activity
Update FrequencyDead voters are removed by the tenth day of each month.No ChangesHB0138 (enrolled) would provide for a supplemental annual canvass of registered voters to identify voters who have moved.
Voter RemovalVoters removed at death. If the registrar receives word that a voter is ineligible or has moved, voter is moved to the inactive list. If the voter does not confirm status within 2 general election cycles, the voter is removed.No ChangesNo Legislative Activity