Louisiana’s shift away from its signature “jungle” primary system is about to come with a serious price tag, The Center Square writes.
Beginning in 2026, voters casting ballots for Congress, the state Supreme Court, BESE and the Public Service Commission will participate in closed-party primaries—while unaffiliated voters can pick just one side. The Legislative Fiscal Office says switching to this more traditional system could cost taxpayers up to $47 million over five years, driven largely by the possibility of more runoff elections.
Each statewide runoff alone could reach $7 million, thanks to printing, staffing and overtime needs. Meanwhile, the Secretary of State’s office is preparing for more than $2 million in voter education and reprogramming costs as Louisiana overhauls ballots, party labels and election technology for 2026.
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