Government Publications and Patents & Trademarks Librarian
Overview of Louisiana's Election System
Open Primary and General Elections
Louisiana conducts local and state elections on Saturdays using what is referred to as an open primary system, where any qualified elector may qualify as a candidate, regardless of party, and run for office and all eligible voters may cast a vote in the election, regardless of party affiliation. Some call this system a jungle primary because all candidates for an office run together in one election and the majority vote wins. A candidate must win at least 50 percent of the vote in order to win the election.
If there is no majority vote winner in the primary election then the top two candidates go to a run-off election called a general election. This type of system is used in Louisiana for all offices state, parish, municipal and congressional, but it is not used for the presidential preference primary.
Congressional Elections
Louisiana elects two United States Senators for the entire state for six-year staggered terms and six United States representatives every two years from congressional districts drawn by the legislature.
Representatives and senators are elected at the federal November general election every even year on the first Tuesday following the first Monday and take office at noon on Jan. 3 following the election.
Secretary of State Website
The Louisiana Secretary of State has an official website where residents can access a wealth of election-related information, including polling locations, sample ballots, and more. Click the image below and select the "Election & Voting" tab to learn more about election and voting resources.
Geaux Vote
"GeauxVote Mobile" is an app provided by the Louisiana Secretary of State's office. With this app, residents can locate where to vote, discover voting dates and times, view sample ballots, and see election results. Additional information provided by the app includes voter registration information and voter district information. Geaux Vote is available for download on the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store.
Find Your Polling Location
Voting is a fundamental right in the United States. Knowing where to vote ensures you can exercise this right without any inconvenience. Click the image below to find your voting location and other specific ballot information.
