Should I Vote by Mail or In Person?

In Louisiana you must have a particular reason to be eligible to vote by mail. Because of this, your default plan will likely be to vote early, either in person or on Election Day. We have that information first on this page for that reason.

If you can vote by mail, to avoid possible postal delays impacting your vote, we recommend mailing your completed ballot back by Tuesday, October 13th. Plan to drop it off by hand after that.

If you are concerned about your absentee ballot returning on time through the mail, visit our other page to learn how to drop your ballot off in person.

Louisiana Elections Website

Early Voting (In Person) Information

First & Last Days of Early Voting

October 20, 2020 to October 27, 2020, 8:30 AM - 6 PM, Monday through Saturday. Holidays excluded

Early Voting Locations

Parish registrars’ offices. Registrar may provide alternate location in the courthouse or a public building in the immediate vicinity thereof. One branch office of the registrar, as long as it is in a public building

Find either here.

Will I Need a Photo ID or Non-Photo ID to Vote?

Photo ID requested.

If ID is not presented, the voter signs an affidavit and provides date of birth and other information from the poll book.

Poll workers will ask in-person voters to show a photo ID that contains your name and signature, but if you do not have one, you may sign an Identification Affidavit instead.

Acceptable forms of photo ID include:

Louisiana driver’s license,

Louisiana special identification card;

LA Wallet digital driver’s license;

Military ID; OR

Other generally recognized picture ID card that contains your name and signature.

Absentee/Vote by Mail Information

Note: Always read all of the instructions on or with your absentee/VBM ballot. This is a guide, but go by what the instructions say and follow them thoroughly. Your ballot may not be counted if you don't.

How Can I Request An Absentee/VBM Ballot?

You may request an absentee by mail ballot by logging in to the Louisiana Voter Portal and following these steps:

1. Click the "Search By Voter" button.

2. Type in your First Name, Last Name and Zip Code or Birth Month and Year and then click the "Submit" button;

3. Click the "Request Absentee Ballot" link found under the Quick Links heading; and

4. Complete requested information and submit.

Note: You must be logged in to the Voter Portal as the voter for whom the request is intended to electronically submit a request for an absentee ballot.

You can also apply by printing and mailing a ballot. Follow the link for more information.

More information here.

Do I Need an Excuse to Vote Absentee?

Yes, you must be in one of the specified categories listed below.

• military or overseas citizens;

• senior citizens (65+);

• voters with disabilities;

• students & professors;

• religious clergy;

• voters temporarily absent during early voting and election day;

• voters who moved to a new parish more than 100 miles from former residence within 30 days of election;

• persons involuntarily confined to institution;

• sequestered jurors;

• voters hospitalized or who expect to be hospitalized during early voting and election day;

• voters employed upon state waters

• voters incarcerated for non-felony with sheriff's certification; and

• participants in the state's address confidentiality program.

Even if you registered to vote online or by mail, your first time voting in the parish must be done in person, either early or on Election Day. Exceptions include:

• military or overseas citizens;

• senior citizens (65+)

• people who are homebound because of a disability;

• students, who submit a copy of student ID or fee bill with the request;

• citizens who appear in the registrar of voters office before the election to verify identity; and

• participants in the state's address confidentiality program.

How Can I Track My Absentee/VBM Ballot?

Go to this link.

Do I Need a Notary or Witnesses to Sign my Ballot?

Yes; the absentee ballot return envelope must be signed by a witness.

Where Can I Return My Ballot In Person If I Choose?

Yes, by 4:30pm the day BEFORE Election Day to your parish's registrar of voters.

Find your parish's registrar of voters here.

Can Someone Else Return My Ballot on My Behalf?

Yes, but it's limited. No person except the immediate family of the voter shall hand deliver more than one marked ballot to the registrar. Furthermore, if delivered by other than the voter, a commercial courier, or the U.S. Postal Service, the registrar shall require that the person making such delivery sign a statement, prepared by the secretary of state, certifying that he has the authorization and consent of the voter to hand deliver the marked ballot.