Voting in
Louisiana

LAUpdated February 1, 2026

Your Voting Cheat Sheet

Louisiana requires photo ID and offers early voting for 7 days. Absentee voting requires an excuse. The state has different registration deadlines depending on whether you register online, by mail, or in person.

Online Reg Available

Upcoming Elections in Louisiana

Special

Louisiana 5th Congressional District Special Election

LA

A special election to fill a vacant U.S. House seat in Louisiana's 5th Congressional District. Louisiana uses a jungle primary system where all candidates compete on one ballot.

Key Races
  • U.S. House of Representatives, 5th District
198 days away
General

2026 Federal Midterm General Election

Nationwide

The 2026 midterm general election determines control of Congress and numerous governorships. All 435 U.S. House seats, approximately 33-34 U.S. Senate seats, and 36 governorships are on the ballot.

Key Races
  • U.S. Senate (33-34 seats)
  • U.S. House of Representatives (all 435 seats)
  • Gubernatorial races (36 states)
  • +3 more
249 days away

Registration Deadlines

219 days until earliest deadline
OnlineOctober 13, 2026
By MailOctober 4, 2026
In PersonOctober 13, 2026
Register Now

Quick Facts

Online Registration
Yes
Same-Day Registration
No
Voter ID Required
Yes
No-Excuse Absentee
No

Voter ID Requirements

Louisiana requires photo ID to vote. Acceptable forms include a Louisiana driver's license, Louisiana special ID, US military ID, or other generally recognized photo ID. Voters without ID can sign an affidavit.

Early Voting

StartsOctober 20, 2026
EndsOctober 27, 2026

Absentee / Mail-In Voting

No-Excuse Absentee No
Request DeadlineOctober 30, 2026
Return DeadlineNovember 2, 2026

Election Day Polling Hours

6:00 AM - 8:00 PM

Election Day: November 3, 2026

Key Facts

  • Photo ID is required; an affidavit option exists for voters without ID
  • Early voting runs for 7 days, typically ending the week before Election Day
  • Absentee voting requires a valid excuse
  • Online and in-person registration close 20 days before the election; mail closes 30 days before
  • Louisiana uses a unique jungle primary system for some elections

Find Your Polling Place

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