Election Guide 2020 - Banner

Key Dates and Deadlines

Mon, Oct. 5: Voter Registration Deadline
Fri, Oct. 16 - 27: Early Voting Begins
Fri, Oct. 30: Request Absentee/Mail-In Ballot Deadline
Mon, Nov. 2: Absentee/Mail-In Delivered by Date
Tues, Nov. 3: In-Person Voting

Register to Vote

Mon, Oct. 5: Voter Registration Deadline
Register to vote or check your registration status.

Absentee/Mail-In Voting

Fri, Oct. 30: Request Absentee/Mail-In Ballot Deadline

Mon, Nov. 2: Absentee/Mail-In Delivered by Date

General and Disabled Voters: Voted ballots must be received by your parish registrar of voters by 4:30 p.m. CST on the day before election day.

Military, Overseas or Hospitalized Voters: Voted ballots by military personnel and/or their dependents, U.S. citizens residing outside the U.S., or voters that are hospitalized must be received by your parish registrar of voters by 8 p.m. CST on election day.


1. Request an absentee ballot by mail ballot by logging in to the Louisiana Voter Portal.

2. Receive your ballot in the mail or Print it out online

3. Fill your ballot out. You can mail it back or deliver it in person to your local registrar of voters' office

4. Check the status of your mail in ballot

Early In-Person Voting

Fri, Oct. 16 though October 27: Early Voting Begins

Any eligible voter can also vote early in-person at your registrar of voters offices. Excluding Sundays October 18 and 25. 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 pm

In-person Voting

Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Election day voting hours are from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all Saturday elections and 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on all Tuesday elections.

You need to bring ID. If you do not have a driver's license, Louisiana Special ID, a United States military identification card that contains the applicant's name and picture or some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature, you may still cast your vote by signature on a voter affidavit.

What's on The Ballot

Voter or parish specific information including what is on your ballot can be found at the Louisiana Secretary of State's website

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I do not have a valid ID?
If you do not have a driver's license, Louisiana Special ID, a United States military identification card that contains the applicant's name and picture or some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature, you may still cast your vote by signature on a voter affidavit.

What are my voting options if I'm a member of the armed forces or overseas?
Voters in the military or overseas may vote by Requesting an Absentee Ballot by Mail, Fax, or Email. They also have the option to Use the Federal Post Card Application ("FPCA") to Register to Vote and Request an Absentee Ballot at the Same Time. Find out how here

When voting by mail, what documents should i expect?
When voting by mail, check to make sure you have received all of the following from the registrar of voters:

  • official ballot(s) (white paper ballot(s) for either the primary or general election);
  • affidavit envelope (secrecy envelope to seal your voted ballot with affidavit flap to certify your information);
  • return envelope (to mail secrecy envelope with voted ballot(s) to registrar of voters); and
  • instructions for absentee voting by mail.

Who can vote early?
All registered voters may cast a ballot during the early voting period at the Registrar of Voters Office or at an alternate site designated for early voting. You do not need a reason to vote early.

Do I need to bring identification to vote?
Each voter is required to identify themselves by giving their name and address before voting by presenting a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana special identification card, LA Wallet digital driver's license, a United States military identification card that contains the voter's name and picture or other generally recognized picture identification card that contains the name and signature of the voter, or by completing a Voter Identification Affidavit (AV-34) if no photo identification is available. A voter without photo ID may vote after completing the affidavit but is subject to challenge by law.

You may obtain a free Louisiana special identification card by presenting your voter information card to the Office of Motor Vehicles.

Can I request assistance with voting?
Voters in Louisiana may request assistance in voting when they are registering to vote or when making a change to their voter registration. Assistance in voting is allowed when you have a physical disability or you are unable to read. To learn more about voting assistance, click here

Can a previously convicted felon reinstate voting rights?
To restore your voting rights after a felony conviction, you must appear in person at the registrar of voters office, complete a voter registration application and provide documentation to prove that you have completed your probation and/or parole or that you have not been incarcerated within the last five years and are not 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.

If you are disabled and homebound, you may submit your application and documentation by mail, facsimile, commercial carrier or hand delivery.

What is provisional voting?
A paper provisional ballot is used to allow a person to vote when there is a question about the voter's eligibility. The person must certify that he or she is a registered voter in the parish and eligible to vote in the federal election before casting a provisional ballot. A provisional ballot is a paper ballot that is cast provisionally until election officials can verify the voter's eligibility to vote in the federal election.
Learn about provisional voting here