Nearly half a million Louisiana voters are on an inactive voter registration list statewide, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State. Officials are urging residents to verify their status and party affiliation ahead of a May primary election under a new closed primary system.
More than 50,000 names on the inactive list are from East Baton Rouge Parish. Ascension Parish has more than 9,000, and Livingston Parish has more than 7,000.
Parish registrars of voters routinely review death reports, felon reports, and annual canvassing records to identify voters who may have moved. Over the past year, registrars have also flagged voters who have not cast a ballot in the last 10 years.
“A number of those voters wind up on the inactive list, so voters who have had a piece of mail returned to our office, or who we couldn’t verify their information during the annual canvas,” an official said.
Each year, the Secretary of State publishes the names and addresses of inactive voters in a newspaper ad.
Voters on the inactive list are not immediately removed. They remain registered and go through a grace period covering two general federal elections. If they do not vote or update their records with the registrar’s office during that period, they are removed from the rolls.
“They are still registered voters, they go through a grace period of two general federal elections, and if they don’t vote during that time or update their records with our office, then they’re removed from the rolls,” an official said.
New closed primary system adds urgency
With the May party primary operating under a new closed primary system, officials said voters should also confirm their party affiliation.
“The closed party primaries are new to Louisiana, and you’re restricted by your party affiliation as to which primary you can vote in,” an official said.
Voters can update their information or change their registration status by submitting a new registration online. Registration closes approximately one month before each election.
Voters who do not update their records ahead of an election can also fill out an address confirmation form at their polling place on election day.
“Or when you do go to vote at the next election, you’ll be asked to fill out an address confirmation form at the polling place,” an official said.