Qualifying opened Feb. 11 and will run through Feb. 14 for candidates seeking office in the May 16 election in Richland Parish.
Voters will see races on the ballot for U.S. Senator for both the Democratic and Republican parties, U.S. Representative for Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District for both parties, and Public Service Commission District 5 for both the Democratic and Republican parties.
Local ballot items will also be included. In Rayville, voters will cast ballots for Police Juror District 3, mayor, chief of police, and aldermen, with five aldermen to be elected.
Voters in the Town of Mangham will consider a proposition to renew a one percent sales and use tax for a period of 10 years, beginning Jan. 1, 2027, and ending Dec. 31, 2036. The tax is estimated to generate approximately $125,000 annually and would be used for any lawful purpose.
The deadline for inperson or mail voter registration is April 15. Online registration through the GeauxVote system will close April 25.
Early voting will take place May 2 through May 9. The deadline to request a mail ballot from the registrar of voters is May 12, and voted mail ballots must be received by the registrar no later than May 15.
Election Day is May 16. Voters will see an important change starting with the 2026 election cycle: Louisiana is moving away from its longtime open primary system for certain offices and adopting closed-party primaries instead.
Under the old system, all candidates appeared on the same ballot and all voters could vote for any candidate, regardless of party. That will no longer be the case for some races.
In a closed-party primary, voters will only see candidates from their own political party on the ballot for certain offices.
Registered Democrats will vote only for Democratic candidates.
Registered Republicans will vote only for Republican candidates.
Voters registered as “No Party” may choose either a Democratic or Republican ballot at the polling place, but must stay with that party if a runoff is required.
Voters registered as Green, Libertarian, or Other Party will not be able to vote in closed-party primary races, though they may still vote in other contests on the ballot.
Simply voting for a party’s candidates in the past does not change your party registration. Your ballot is determined by what is listed on your voter registration record.
The new system applies only to these offices:
• U.S. House • U.S. Senate
• Louisiana Supreme Court
• Public Service Commission
• Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) All other races, including most local offices, will continue under the existing system.
In the closed-party primary, a candidate must receive a majority of the vote to advance. If no one reaches 50% plus one vote, the top two candidates from that party will face each other in a runoff.
In the general election, the candidate with the most votes wins. A majority is not required.
Because party affiliation now determines which candidates appear on your ballot, voters are encouraged to check their registration well before Election Day.
Changes to voter registration must be made:
• At least 30 days before the election if done in person or by mail
• At least 20 days before the election if done online Voters can check or update their registration online, through the GeauxVote Mobile App, or by visiting the registrar of voters or clerk of court.
Some ballots may include both closed-party races and other contests that remain open to all voters.
This means two voters standing side by side may receive different ballots depending on their party registration.
Voters can find more information, check their registration, and sign up for election reminders online or through the GeauxVote Mobile App. Local election officials are also available to answer questions.
