Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry says voters appear more comfortable with the state’s new closed party primary system as Election Day approaches on Saturday, June 27.
Landry joined Talk 107.3 after early voting ended Saturday. She said her office saw fewer questions from voters during the second round of voting, but she still urged everyone to check a sample ballot before heading to the polls.
“People are catching on,” Landry said.
Voters can review their ballot through GeauxVote.com or the GeauxVote mobile app. Landry said that step matters because Saturday’s election includes a statewide U.S. Senate primary runoff, plus local races and tax propositions in some parishes.
Under the new closed party primary system, party registration affects which ballot voters receive. Registered Republicans vote in the Republican primary runoff. Registered Democrats vote in the Democratic primary runoff.
No party voters have more options, but those options depend on whether they voted in May. If a no party voter selected a Republican, Democratic or no party ballot in May, that same choice carries over to the June 27 runoff. If they did not vote in May, they can choose a Republican primary runoff ballot, a Democratic primary runoff ballot or skip the party runoff.
Landry said voters must ask questions before casting a ballot. Once they vote, they cannot change that choice.
Early voting turnout ran lower than the May election. Landry said summer vacations, low interest and severe weather likely played a role. Still, she noted that Saturday brought an uptick in voters.
The closed primary law came from the Louisiana Legislature in 2024. Landry said the change has created a learning curve, but she expects voters and poll workers to adjust as more elections use the new system.