Polls open for Louisiana runoff election | Everything you need to know

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – It’s Election Day, and many voters are deciding on some closely watched primary run-offs, which will determine who appears on the ballot in November.

Polls are open as of 7 a.m. on June 27 and will close at 8 p.m. You will still be able to vote as long as you are in line by 8 p.m.

Election coverage

Fox 8 will bring you analysis as the numbers come in. Our election coverage starts at 9 p.m. on our streaming apps and online.

Who’s on the ballot?

Today is the Republican primary runoff between Stephanie Hilferty and John Young for Louisiana Public Service Commission District 1.

And in the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education District 1 race, Joseph Cao and Ellie Schroder are going head-to-head.

Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming and Congresswoman Julia Letlow face off for the Republican U.S Senate nomination.

This week, a JMC Analytics poll put Fleming five points higher than Letlow.

Gary Crockett and Jamie Davis are the two candidates on the U.S Senate Democratic ballot.

On May 16, Davis got 47 percent of the vote statewide in the Democratic primary. Crockett got 26 percent of the vote.

Fox 8 interviewed the Republican and Democratic candidates for U.S. Senate. You can watch those interviews below:

Voters will also decide how much they want to fund 140 St. Tammany sheriff’s deputies. Fox 8 covered this proposal extensively, and voters can learn more HERE.

New party primary rules

In June 27th’s runoff, voters must stick with the same party they selected in the May election. For example, those who voted Republican in May must vote Republican in this runoff.

However, in the November general election, all voters can select any candidate on the ballot regardless of party.

The Louisiana Secretary of State website lists requirements voters should know before heading to the polls.

What should I bring?

Be prepared to show one of the following before voting:

• a driver’s license;
• a Louisiana Special ID;
• LA Wallet digital driver’s license; 
• a United States military identification card that contains your name and picture; or
• some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature.

Where do I vote?

You can use the Louisiana Voter Portal to find where you vote on election day, or you can call your parish Registrar of Voters Office. Your voter information card, which is sent by mail, lists your polling place.

Click HERE to find your voting precinct by entering personal information, such as your zip code. This method gives you the most specific information.

Can I vote by mail?

In Louisiana, only certain citizens can vote by mail, including:

• military or overseas citizens;
• senior citizens (65+);
• voters with disabilities;
• higher education students & professors;
• religious clergy;
• voters temporarily absent during early voting and election day;
• voters who moved to a new parish more than 100 miles from former residence within 30 days of election;
• persons involuntarily confined to institution;
• sequestered jurors;
• voters hospitalized or who expect to be hospitalized during early voting and election day;
• voters employed upon state waters;
• voters incarcerated for non-felony with sheriff’s certification; and
• participants in the state’s address confidentiality program.

For more information, click HERE.

What if I have a disability?

People with visual impairments and the person assisting them in voting may go to the front of the line at their polling place.

According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website, a voter is entitled to receive assistance while voting if they are unable to read or unable to vote without assistance because of a physical disability, including being visually impaired. A voter may choose to use the audio ballot instead of receiving assistance.

However, voters must either file a statement with the registrar in person or by mail before the election if they need assistance in voting or complete an affidavit and/or provide specific documentation to the commissioner on election day.

For more information, click HERE.

Rules on advocating

According to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website, you should never wear, hand out, or display anything advocating for or against any candidate, proposition, or political party appearing on the ballot in the election while voting. All polling places have a 600 foot campaign free zone.

To see what exactly will be on your ballot, find polling locations, and more, you can go to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s website HERE.

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