Ascension Parish clerk outlines new closed-party primary, urges voters to check registration

Ascension Parish Clerk of Court Bridget Hannah told Ascension 21 viewers that Louisiana has switched to a closed-party primary system for some statewide and federal contests, and she urged voters to confirm their party registration well before May 16.

Hannah said the change, enacted during the 2024 Louisiana legislative session, applies to U.S. Senate and House races, the Louisiana Supreme Court, the Public Service Commission and the state Department of Education board. “Democratic voters can only vote for Democratic candidates. Republican voters can only vote for Republican candidates,” Hannah said, adding that local and other state races remain on the open-primary schedule.

Hannah explained how the rule affects voters at the polls. The first closed-party primary is May 16, she said, and precinct ballots will show all candidates and the five constitutional amendments, but polling officials will restrict access to party-specific contests based on a voter’s registered party. “You will be locked out of whatever you can't vote for,” Hannah said.

Voters registered as “no party” have a specific option: they must complete a declaration of ballot choice form—either during early voting or at the precinct—selecting Democrat, Republican or unaffiliated for that election. Hannah emphasized a common misunderstanding about that form: “It absolutely does not” change a voter’s party registration; it only allows a no‑party voter to participate in a party’s primary for that election.

If no candidate receives 50% plus one in May, Hannah said, a runoff will be held June 27. Any no‑party voter who filled out a declaration for May will be recorded in the poll book and must vote the same way in the June runoff unless they change their registration before the applicable deadline. Hannah noted the registration cutoffs: 30 days before the election for mail or in-person changes, and 20 days before for online changes.

Hannah also described administrative preparations: her office is conducting 12 training classes for election commissioners to ensure poll workers can implement the closed-party procedures on election day. She urged voters to check their party affiliation in advance—through the GeauxVote app or govote.com—and to “be informed. Be prepared,” so they are not surprised at the polling place.

For more information, Hannah directed constituents to contact the Ascension Parish Clerk of Court’s office or use GeauxVote/Govote to verify registration and ballot contents. The May 16 closed-party primary and the possible June 27 runoff are the next key dates for affected races.