Louisiana began using closed-party primaries for certain offices in 2026, including U.S. Senate, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

For closed-party races, registered Democrats vote in Democratic primaries, registered Republicans vote in Republican primaries and voters registered as No Party may choose either a Democratic or Republican primary ballot.

The Nov. 3 election is the general election for those closed-party offices, so voters may vote for any candidate in those races regardless of party affiliation. Louisiana is also holding an open U.S. House primary on Nov. 3, meaning candidates appear together regardless of party.

With the election date approaching, below are some information McNeese students need to know before casting a ballot.

Early voting: Oct. 20-27, excluding Sunday, Oct. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

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

Students can use the Louisiana Voter Portal or GeauxVote to:

• Check their voter registration status
• Find their Election Day polling place
• Find election information
• View their sample ballot

Louisiana voters are asked to show one of the following photo identification when voting in person:

• A Louisiana driver’s license
• A Louisiana special identification card
• A U.S. military ID containing the voter’s name and photograph

Louisiana also accepts the LA Wallet digital driver’s license.

Voters who do not have an accepted photo ID may still vote by signing a voter identification affidavit.

McNeese students registered outside Calcasieu Parish can:

• Vote early at an early voting location in the parish where they are registered.
• Vote on Election Day at their assigned polling place.
• Request an absentee ballot if they qualify

Absentee Voting

Louisiana allows higher education students who live outside the parish where they are registered to qualify for absentee voting. You may apply through a General Application and, once accepted by the registrar of voters, absentee vote.

Students voting for the first time who use the higher education absentee provision must print and mail their application with a copy of their student ID or fee bill.

For most eligible voters, the deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 30 at 4:30 p.m.

The completed absentee ballots must be received by the voter’s registrar of voters by Nov. 2 at 4:30 p.m. for most voters. The deadline is based on when the ballot is received, not when it is postmarked, so account for mailing time.

Louisiana’s early voting, absentee voting and Election Day procedures do not apply to voters registered in another state.Voting: What You Need To Know