NEW ORLEANS — Let this guide be your vote of confidence as you fill out your ballot.
Register To Vote:
Make sure you can vote in Louisiana — and find your polling place.
To check if you are registered to vote, start here.
If you are not registered: the deadline to register in person for the April 4 presidential primary election is March 4. You can register online through the Louisiana Secretary of State's website or in person at the Registrar of Voter's Office or Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles.
If you are registered, you can use these links to find your registration, or change your party affiliation or contact information.
You can also look up your early voting location, election dates and request an absentee ballot here.
Know Your Deadlines:
Keep your eye on these important upcoming dates:
- March 4: Deadline to register to vote in person or by mail
- March 14: Deadline to register to vote online through GeauxVote.
- March 21- March 28 (except Sunday, March 22): Early voting period from 8:30 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- March 31: Deadline to request an absentee by mail ballot, 4:30 p.m. You can request an absentee by mail ballot online through our Voter Portal or in writing through your Registrar of Voters Office (other than military and overseas voters).
- April 3: Deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted mail ballot by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).
- April 4: Election Day. Polls open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Know the Rules:
Democratic and Republican voters will elect a candidate to be nominated and represent their political party for President of the United States.
Only registered Democratic voters can vote in the Democratic Party primary, registered Republicans in the Republican Party primary, and registered Independents in the Independent Party primary. These primaries are closed to all other registered voters.
Some parishes will also elect members to their party's state central committee and parish executive committees as well as local races and parish wide propositions.
Who is Running for President in 2020?
Four Democrats remain in the race for their party's presidential nomination to take on President Donald Trump in 2020. But Trump is also facing a challenge from within his own party, something which is not unprecedented for a sitting president but has succeeded only once.
While ballots in Louisiana will still include candidates who have dropped out, here is a look at who is still in the running:
Democratic Party:
This is Biden's third run for the presidency. He was elected to seven terms in the U.S. Senate before serving as Barack Obama's vice president. Biden has said he would campaign as an "Obama-Biden Democrat," who is as pragmatic as he is progressive.
Gabbard is a major in the U.S. Army National Guard and is calling for an end to regime-change wars. She faces controversy over previously held anti-gay views but says she is now an LGBT supporter.
Sanders finished second to Hillary Clinton for the Democratic nomination in 2016. Despite running as a Democrat, Sanders has labeled himself as an independent throughout his political career. He's campaigning on getting money out of politics, Medicare For All and battling climate change.
Warren is an expert on bankruptcy law and is known for her advocacy of protections for consumers. Has proposed a wealth tax and a massive program to forgive student loan debt.
Republican Party:
The president launched his reelection campaign on the day of his inauguration. While Trump has high popularity among Republicans and was given his highest approval rating yet from Gallup in early February, he has yet to break an average 50 percent overall approval rating in most polls.
The self-described Reagan Republican has called on President Trump to resign since the release of Robert Mueller's report into the 2016 election. But, some state Republican parties are canceling their primaries and giving their delegates to Trump, so Weld's chances of taking the nomination away are virtually nonexistent.
Other Races & Propositions
Voters in seven parishes in the WWL-TV viewing area will also vote on additional races or propositions when they cast their ballots.
Voters in Jefferson, Orleans, St. Charles and St. Tammany Parishes will vote for local government office elections. Voters in Lafourche, Tangipahoa and Washington parishes will vote on propositions.
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TEGNA reporter Travis Pittman, the Associated Press, and information from the Louisiana Secretary of State's Office contributed to this report.