{"id":351475,"date":"2020-03-17T09:36:41","date_gmt":"2020-03-17T14:36:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/voting\/louisiana-voting-guide.html"},"modified":"2026-05-12T14:17:24","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T19:17:24","slug":"louisiana-voting-guide","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/voting\/louisiana-voting-guide.html","title":{"rendered":"Louisiana Voting Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Louisiana Voting Guide<\/div>\n \"Your\n <\/div>\n<\/section>\n
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  1. \n FindLaw <\/a>\n \/<\/span>\n <\/li>\n
  2. Louisiana Voting Guide<\/li>\n <\/ol>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n\n
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    Louisiana Voting Guide<\/h1>\n\n
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    \n By Lyle Therese A. Hilotin-Lee, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Catherine Hodder, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
    \n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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    This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

    \n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
    \n

    The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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    Key Takeaways<\/h2>\n

    Louisiana<\/span> limits voting to U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old<\/span>, live in the state, and have registered before Election Day<\/span>. The state also restricts absentee voting<\/span> to specific qualifying reasons and runs closed primaries. This means only registered party members can vote in their party’s primary.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

    Whether you plan to vote in a\u00a0local\u00a0or presidential election, it is important to understand Louisiana<\/span>\u2019s voting laws. This guide will help you prepare for the\u00a0upcoming election<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    If you have questions about your voting rights<\/span> or believe your right to vote has been violated, contact a\u00a0civil rights attorney<\/a>\u00a0near you. They can help you understand Louisiana<\/span>‘s voting laws and how those rules apply to your situation.<\/p>\n

    Am I Eligible To Vote in Louisiana<\/span>?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

    You must be a\u00a0U.S. citizen to vote<\/a>\u00a0in local, state, and federal elections. For state elections, you must reside in\u00a0Louisiana<\/span> and be at least 18\u00a0years old<\/span>.<\/p>\n

    Louisiana<\/span>\u00a0allows people as young as 16 to register to vote, as long as they will be 18 by\u00a0Election Day<\/span>. Register to vote at the\u00a0Louisiana<\/span> Office of Motor Vehicles<\/span>\u00a0or the\u00a0Registrar of Voters\u2019 office<\/span>. If you are unsure of your eligibility<\/span> for the next local election<\/span>, contact the Board of Elections or check\u00a0Louisiana<\/span>\u2019s voting portal<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    Who Cannot Vote in Louisiana<\/span>?<\/h2>\n

    There are certain circumstances that could affect your eligibility<\/span> to vote. Louisiana<\/span> state law bars voting for people in the following situations:<\/p>\n

    Felony Conviction<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

    In Louisiana<\/span>, you are ineligible to vote if a court has issued a felony imprisonment order following a felony conviction<\/span>, and you were incarcerated for that sentence within the past five years.\u00a0Someone still serving probation or parole may register and cast a ballot<\/a> if at least five years have passed since their last period of actual confinement. A person whose sentence never included prison time does not face the voting bar.<\/p>\n

    Election Offense Convictions<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    The state treats election offense convictions as a serious offense. Anyone convicted of election fraud<\/a> or any other voting-related offense under\u00a0Louisiana<\/span> law\u00a0who remains under an order of imprisonment cannot register or vote, with no five-year exception available.<\/p>\n

    Full Interdiction<\/strong><\/h3>\n

    You cannot vote if a court placed you under full interdiction following a judicial declaration of mental incompetence<\/a>.\u00a0If you are subject only to a limited interdiction, you retain the right to vote unless the court’s judgment in that proceeding specifically suspended it.<\/p>\n

    Your Rights as a Voter in Louisiana<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

    Louisiana<\/span>\u2019s <\/span>Election<\/span> Day<\/span> Bill of Rights and federal law protect your right to take part in elections. At the polls, you have the right to:<\/p>\n