Voter Registration in Louisiana

Attention: Voter information or identification requirements may change prior to an election. Please check with the Secretary of State website to make sure you have the most current information.

Voting is one of your most powerful civil rights, because it lets you have a say in how your government is run. But in order to have that say, you'll need to register to vote.

Voter Eligibility in Louisiana

You're eligible to vote in Louisiana if:

  • You're a U.S. citizen.
  • You're a Louisiana resident in the parish in which you want to vote.
  • You're at least 17 years old, and will be 18 years old in time for the election.
  • You haven't been deemed mentally incompetent or otherwise had your voting rights suspended under judgment.
  • You're not currently incarcerated, on parole, or on probation for a felony conviction.*

*At the end of your supervised release your voting rights are restored. You will need to re-register to vote.

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Register to Vote in Louisiana

You can register to vote online, by mail, and in person.

Online

You can register to vote online using the Secretary of State's Online Voter Registration (OVR) system.

Regardless of how you register, you must show some proof of identification; registering to vote online is no different. When you register online, you must provide:

  • Your driver's license number or special identification card number.
  • Your audit code. *
    • This code is on your driver's license or your special identification card and it's labeled “AUDIT."
  • Your Social Security number.

* NOTE: If you don't have a driver's license or ID card (and therefore don't have an audit number,), you can continue the application online, print it, and mail it to your Registrar of Voters (see "By Mail" below).

By Mail

Register to vote by mail by completing the Louisiana Voter Registration Application (Form LA-VRA) and mailing it to the applicable address listed on the form.

In Person

If you register in person, you can download and complete the Louisiana Voter Registration Application (Form LA-VRA) in advance or pick one up at any of the following voter registration sites:

  • The Registrar of Voters office.
  • Your local Office of Motor Vehicles.
  • The Department of Social Services.
  • Offices serving WIC, food stamps, or Medicaid clients.
  • Any office serving people with disabilities, including Independent Living offices.
  • Military recruitment offices.

If you register at a Registrar of Voters office, you must bring proof of age, residency, and identity. This proof can include your driver's license, birth certificate, or any other document that proves your age, residency, and identity.

Without photo identification, you can bring a document with your name and address such as a current utility bill or paycheck.

Absentee, Military & Overseas Voter Registration

Citizens outside of the state who are retaining their LA residence can register to vote via mail or online. See Register to Vote in Louisiana above to learn how to register.

Military & Overseas Voters

While military and overseas Louisiana residents may also register to vote online or by mail, you can also use the Federal Voting Assistance Program's (FVAP) online assistant to fill out the Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application Form (Form 76).

The FPCA serves as both registration and a request for an absentee ballot.

Deadline to Register to Vote in Louisiana

You must be registered to vote 20 days prior to Election day if using the GeauxVote Online Registration System. You must register 30 days prior to Election Day if applying in person or by mail. This deadline applies to military and overseas residents.

Voter Name or Address Change

You must update your name and/or address* with the Registrar of Voters. Contact your local office for details.

For name changes, be prepared to show court documents.

If you fail to update your address, you could be given an “inactive voter status"; however, you will have the chance to correct this using any of the voter registration methods described above OR at the precinct on Election Day. Just remember to bring proof of your new address.

* NOTE: If you've moved outside of your parish, you must re-register with your new parish.

Moving Out of State

If you leave Louisiana for another state of residence, you'll need to cancel your voter registration when you go. Contact your local parish voter registrar to cancel.

Forms

76
Voter Registration and Absentee Ballot Request Federal Post Card Application
If you're a U.S. citizen living out of your voting jurisdiction, use this form to register to vote AND/OR request an absentee ballot.
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