Early voting underway: Louisiana voters head to polls for first closed primary runoff

MONROE, La. (KNOE) – Early voting has begun for Louisiana voters as the state holds its first closed primary runoff.

Deborah Smith said the process has been stressful.

“It’s so confusing. It is so I don’t know. It’s very stressful. It is so stressful right now,” Smith said.

“If you chose Democrat or Republican the first time, then you have to vote Democrat or Republican the second time. You can’t change it now. But if you stay no party during the first party primary, then you have the option,” Isabella Butler, a certified elections registration administrator, said. “Only the people that have the option now are people who didn’t make a selection in the first party primary, they remained a no party voter, or they didn’t vote the first party primary, or they just registered to vote.”

Election officials said voters might be confused with new laws underway. This is Louisiana’s first year with closed primaries.

Early voting starts at 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. To learn about early voting and Election Day locations, click here.

Smith said she wanted to ensure her vote counted.

“I want to make sure that my vote counts. I wanted to make sure that no matter what I was able to cast my ballot,” Smith said.

Early voting will continue through June 20, except on June 14 and 19. Election Day is June 27.

To learn what is on the ballot, click here.