Louisiana voters face new closed primary election: What to know

Added: 2026-05-22

[00:00:00]Joining us for News 10 at 6, Louisiana voters are preparing to head to the polls tomorrow and there's a palpable sense of anxiety among many of them.

[00:00:08]The closed primary process will be a new experience. A local clerk of court provides insight into what voters should expect. News 10's Renee Allen reports.

[00:00:18]This is not the normal like your open primary election. This is a closed primary election. That means Republicans vote for Republicans and Democrats vote for Democrats.

[00:00:31]Louis Perret, the clerk of court in Lafayette Parish, is the president of the Board of Election Supervisors. This is something new. This is something that people are not used to. We know they're going to be frustrated.

[00:00:43]>> First, make sure your address is up to date and have a photo ID ready to present. You will receive your ballot based on your political party affiliation. An election worker is not allowed to ask voters to disclose whether they are Republican or Democrat.

[00:00:58]>> They are instructed not to talk about party registration because you can't uh change your party registration on election day. Perret says voters without party affiliation can sign a one-page declaration at the polls to lock into the Republican or Democratic ballot. For just the May and June election, does not change your party registration, but the ballot issued to you will be Republican or Democrat. If you stay no party, you don't get to vote for the United States Senate race until November. The voting process may have changed, but not the voting hours. Polls open at 7:00 and close at 8:00. Renee Allen, KLFY News 10.