Louisiana

Registering to Vote

How do I register to vote for the first time?

You can register to vote in Louisiana by using one of the following methods:

• Online: Register to vote by completing the application on the Secretary of State website.
• By mail: You may get a paper voter registration form by printing out this form, or picking up a paper form at your local elections office. Once you’ve filled out the form, you’ll need to print it, sign it, and mail it.
• In person: Visit an office where elections are administered in your area and register there in person. You must register 30 days before the election.

You can also register to vote on BallotReady.org.

How do I update or change my voter registration?

The process of changing your voter registration is similar to registering to vote for the first time. You can update your voter registration online, by mail, or in-person. You can also use BallotReady.org to check your voter registration status. 

Remember that the deadline to change your voter registration is 30 days before the election.

What ID do I need to register to vote?

The identification that you need to register to vote in Louisiana varies based on the method of registration: 

Registering to vote in an election office 

You will be asked to prove your age, residency, and identity. Bring your current Louisiana driver's license, if you have one, or your birth certificate or other documentation which reasonably and sufficiently establishes your identity, age and residency. If you have no driver's lciense, special Louisiana ID or social security number, you may show a photo ID, a utility bill, payroll check or government document that includes your name and address.

Registering to vote by mail

You must provide your Louisiana driver's license number or Louisiana special ID card number, if issued. If not issued, you must provide at least the last four digits of your social security number, if issued. The full social security number may be provided on a voluntary basis. If the applicant has neither a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana special identification card, or a social security number, the applicant shall attach one of the following items to his application: (a) a copy of a current and valid photo identification; or (b) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of applicant. Neither the registrar nor the Department of State shall disclose the social security number of a registered voter or circulate the social security numbers of registered voters on commercial lists (R.S. 18:104 and 154; 42 U.S.C. § 405).

Registering to vote online

Once you have completed the application, you will be allowed to either print and mail your application, or if verified by the Office of Motor Vehicles, submit your application electronically. If you plan to submit online, you must have your Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana special ID card in hand when you begin the process. There is an audit code on the card that you must enter. The audit code is a four digit number labeled AUDIT on the front of the license.

If you’re under the age of 18, you may still be eligible to register to vote! If you can pre-register, you’ll need the following documents:

Pre-registering to vote in an election office 

You will be asked to prove your age, residency, and identity. Bring your current Louisiana driver's license, if you have one, or your birth certificate or other documentation which reasonably and sufficiently establishes your identity, age and residency. If you have no driver's lciense, special Louisiana ID or social security number, you may show a photo ID, a utility bill, payroll check or government document that includes your name and address.

Pre-registering to vote by mail

You must provide your Louisiana driver's license number or Louisiana special ID card number, if issued. If not issued, you must provide at least the last four digits of your social security number, if issued. The full social security number may be provided on a voluntary basis. If the applicant has neither a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana special identification card, or a social security number, the applicant shall attach one of the following items to his application: (a) a copy of a current and valid photo identification; or (b) a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of applicant. Neither the registrar nor the Department of State shall disclose the social security number of a registered voter or circulate the social security numbers of registered voters on commercial lists (R.S. 18:104 and 154; 42 U.S.C. § 405).

Pre-registering to vote online

Once you have completed the application, you will be allowed to either print and mail your application, or if verified by the Office of Motor Vehicles, submit your application electronically. If you plan to submit online, you must have your Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana special ID card in hand when you begin the process. There is an audit code on the card that you must enter. The audit code is a four digit number labeled AUDIT on the front of the license.

For more information on voting requirements for your state, make a plan to vote on BallotReady.org.   

How do I check my voter registration?

Residents of Louisiana can check their voter registration status through the following methods:

• Online: Visit Louisiana’s voter registration page on their Secretary of State website’s Voter Portal. 
• Election authority: For specific questions, you may be able to contact your local elections office, courthouse, or county elections office for more information on your voter registration status.

You can also check your voter registration on BallotReady.org. 

What is the deadline for registering to vote?

In Louisiana, you need to be registered to vote at least 30 days before an election to be eligible to cast a ballot. 

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• Received in-person by: {{ deadline_voter_registration_in_person }}
• Submitted online by: {{ deadline_online_voter_registration }}

Can I register to vote on Election Day?

No, Louisiana does not have same-day voter registration. This means you cannot register to vote on Election Day. You must register at least 30 days before an election in order to vote.

Can I register to vote during early voting?

No, in Louisiana, you cannot register to vote during early voting. To cast your vote in an election, make sure you’re registered at least 30 days in advance. 

Who is eligible to register to vote?

Louisiana residents that fit the following criteria are eligible to register to vote:

• Be a U.S. citizen
• Be 17 years old to register (16 years old if registering in person at the Registrar of Voters Office or at the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles), but must be 18 years old to vote
• Not be under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony or, if under such an order not have been incarcerated pursuant to the order within the last five years and not be under an order of imprisonment related to a felony conviction for election fraud or any other election offense pursuant to La. R.S. 18:1461.2
• Not be under a judgment of full interdiction for mental incompetence or partial interdiction with suspension of voting rights
• Reside in the state and parish in which you seek to register
• Must be registered at least 30 days prior to an election if registering in person or by mail to be eligible to vote in that particular election.

In Louisiana, you can register to vote, even if you’re under the age of 18! Future voters who are 16 or 17 may pre-register to vote. They will be eligible to vote for the first election after they turn 18. 

Do I have to choose a political party when registering to vote?

Louisiana gives voters the option to choose a political party when registering to vote. It is not required to register, but choosing “no party preference” could limit your ability to participate in presidential primary elections and caucuses.