​SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE ARDOIN ANNOUNCES INTERIM AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT COMPLIANCE OFFICER

​September 27, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — In accordance with Act 277 of the 2023 Regular Legislative Session, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has announced Bryce Bourg as the Department of State's interim Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliance Officer.

“Bryce Bourg has worked with members of the disability community to ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act in her current capacity in the Elections Division, and, as the ADA Compliance Officer, will continue to ensure that the right to vote can be safely exercised by all eligible Louisiana citizens, no matter their ability," Secretary Ardoin said. 

Those who wish to report a potential election accessibility issue are asked to call the Department of State's Election Hotline at 800-883-2805 or with TDD/TTY access at 711.

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​ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES FOR THE OCTOBER 14 ELECTION

August 28, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters of the upcoming absentee ballot deadlines for the Oct. 14 Gubernatorial Primary Election.

​The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Oct. 10 by 4:30 p.m. Requests can be made online by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov and selecting “Request Absentee Ballot," or in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office. Voters who have requested but not yet received an absentee ballot may check their absentee ballot status by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov, entering the appropriate voter information and selecting “Check Absentee Ballot Status."

The deadline to return a completed ballot is Friday, Oct. 13 by 4:30 pm. This instructional video shows step-by-step how to properly fill out and return an absentee ballot. Completed ballots can be returned to the parish Registrar of Voters by mail, in-person by the voter or by a voter's immediate family member. Should a voter be unable to meet an absentee ballot deadline, they can still vote in-person on Election Day. Polling locations can also be found on voterportal.sos.la.gov or on the free GeauxVote mobile app.

For more information, please contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​EARLY VOTING BEGINS SEPTEMBER 30 FOR THE OCTOBER 14 ELECTION

August 28, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters that early voting for the Oct. 14 Gubernatorial Primary Election begins Saturday, Sept. 30, and continues through Saturday, Oct. 7 (excluding Sunday, Oct. 1) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. 

Voters are encouraged to utilize Louisiana's award-winning, free smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate parish early voting locations, Election Day voting site, or view their sample ballot. GeauxBot, the virtual voter assistant, is also available to access pertinent election information such as registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, and hours. GeauxBot is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.

Voters should bring an ID with them to vote (Louisiana driver's license, Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport, or a digital license via LA Wallet).

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​August 28, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters that the deadlines to register to vote in the Oct. 14 Gubernatorial Primary Election are fast approaching. The deadline to register to vote in person, by mail or at the OMV Office is Wednesday, Sept. 13. The deadline to register through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is Saturday, Sept. 23. This deadline is for citizens who have never registered to vote as well as voters who would like to make changes to their registration.

​Citizens may check their registration or register to vote online at www.GeauxVote.com. After registering, voters should download the GeauxVote Mobile smartphone app. The app provides registration information as well as voting districts, sample ballots, polling place information and election results.

Early voting for the Oct. 14 election will take place Saturday, Sept. 30 through Saturday, Oct. 7 (excluding Sunday, Oct. 1), from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information about the Secretary of State's Elections Division, visit www.GeauxVote.com or call the Elections Hotline at 800.883.2805.

- www.sos.la.gov -

​OCTOBER 14 ELECTION REMINDERS

August 28, 2023

​BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters that Saturday, Oct. 14, is Election Day for the Gubernatorial Primary Election.

In preparation for the election, Secretary Ardoin encourages voters to remember:

• The deadline to register to vote in person, by mail, or at the OMV office is Sept. 13.
• The deadline to register to vote through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is Sept. 23.
• Early voting is Sept. 30 – Oct. 7 (excluding Sunday, Oct. 1) from 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m.
• The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Oct. 10 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters). Voters can request an absentee ballot online through the Voter Portal or in writing through the Registrar of Voters Office.
• The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted absentee ballot is Oct. 13 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).
• Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
• Voters can find their polling location and sample ballot by downloading the GeauxVote Mobile app for smartphones, or by visiting www.GeauxVote.com and logging into the Voter Portal.
• Voters can sign up for electronic notifications via GeauxVote Mobile.
• Voters should bring an ID with them to vote (Louisiana driver's license, Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport, or a digital license via LA Wallet).
• Election results can be viewed in real-time via GeauxVote Mobile or at www.sos.la.gov. 

For more information, please contact the Secretary of State's Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov. 

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​

SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE ARDOIN DECLARES AUGUST 26 AND 27 A “WEEKEND OF PRAYER IN LOUISIANA"

August 25, 2023

Baton Rouge, La—In the midst of record-high temperatures, historic drought conditions, and wildfires raging across Louisiana, Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has declared Saturday, August 26 and Sunday, August 27 a “Weekend of Prayer in Louisiana."

“I implore Louisianans of all faiths and religious affiliations to join together in prayer for relief from these extreme conditions, for those who have lost their homes in these wildfires and those forced to evacuate because of them, and the brave first responders who are working around the clock to keep us safe," Ardoin said. “Prayer is powerful, and just like they always do, I know Louisianans will come together to help those who have lost so much in these difficult days."

Secretary Ardoin also reminds Louisiana citizens to be mindful of the statewide burn ban, and to adhere to state and local officials, as well as emergency personnel.

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​STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY ARDOIN ON HB 646

July 18, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La.—Today, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin issued the following statement on the failure of the legislature to override the governor's veto of HB 646 by Representative Les Farnum:

“I am disappointed that the legislature was not able to override the governor's misguided and highly partisan veto of HB 646," Secretary Ardoin said. “I have long said that this bill is critical to maintaining accurate voter rolls in our state. Although this bill did not become law, our office will continue to implement and execute the election integrity policies and procedures that make our state a national leader in safe and secure elections.

​“I wish to thank Representative Les Farnum for his work on this legislation for the past three years, and all members of the legislature who recognized the importance of the legislation and voted to override its veto. I call upon the next Secretary of State to pursue this legislation under a pro-election integrity governor next year."

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​QUALIFYING PROCEDURES FOR OCTOBER 14 GUBERNATORIAL PRIMARY ELECTION

July 17, 2023

​

BATON ROUGE, La. — Qualifying for the Oct. 14 Gubernatorial Primary election will be held from Tuesday, Aug. 8 through Thursday, Aug. 10.

Local and municipal candidates qualify with the clerk of court in the parish in which they are registered to vote. All candidates for state office will qualify at the Louisiana State Archives located at 3851 Essen Lane in Baton Rouge. Hours of operation for the secretary of state are 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily. Candidates are encouraged to check with their local clerk of court for specific parish hours.

​Pursuant to Act 312 of the 2020 Regular Session and Act 35 of the 2022 Regular Session, qualifying candidates will be required to provide an email address and present a valid Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana identification card. For more information on qualifying, visit the secretary of state's website at www.sos.la.gov.

- www.sos.la.gov -

​SECRETARY ARDOIN URGES LEGISLATURE TO OVERRIDE VETO OF H.B. 646

July 17, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La.—Today, following the announcement that the legislature would hold a veto override session, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin again called on the legislature to override the veto of HB 646 by Representative Les Farnum. 

“HB 646 is critical to election integrity and the maintenance of accurate voter rolls in Louisiana. While the Governor's veto was misguided and blatantly partisan, the legislature has a chance to right that wrong by overriding that veto," Secretary Ardoin said. 

​HB 646 would phase in an additional subset of voters in the annual voter canvass to include voters who have not voted or had any voter activity in ten or more years.

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​SECRETARY ARDOIN ISSUES STATEMENT ON H.B. 646

​July 5, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La.— Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin issued the following statement after Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed House Bill 646 by Representative Les Farnum, which would enhance the annual voter canvass to ensure the accuracy of Louisiana's voter rolls.  

“The insistence by the governor that this process is unnecessary is blatantly partisan and ignores not only the recommendation of the nonpartisan Louisiana Legislative Auditor and election experts, but also the relevant testimony and real-life examples presented in committee. I believe preserving election integrity is the most important role of the Secretary of State, and my office and our local election partners need this statutory authority to uphold my duty to deliver safe, secure, and accurate elections to the people of Louisiana. I call on the legislature to convene a veto override session and consider H.B. 646. No other election integrity measure is more critical to our state at this juncture."

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​SECRETARY ARDOIN DECLARES SATURDAY, JUNE 24 “LSU BASEBALL DAY"

June 23, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — In honor of the LSU Baseball team's return to the NCAA College World Series Finals for the first time since 2017, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin proclaimed Saturday, June 24 as “LSU Baseball Day" in Louisiana.

“The LSU baseball team has had an incredible run, led by Coach Jay Johnson and an amazing roster of players," Ardoin said. “I encourage all Louisianans to wear purple and gold this Saturday, June 24 to show their support for the Tigers as they look to win their seventh national championship."

LSU's baseball team is making its eighth appearance in the NCAA tournament finals, and its first appearance since 2017. The Tigers have a record of 52-16 so far, with players like National Pitcher of the Year Paul Skenes setting the school strikeout record, and both Skenes and Dylan Crews being finalists for the Golden Spikes Award. 

 The official proclamation can be seen here​. 

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SECRETARY ARDOIN ISSUES STATEMENT ON LOUIS RUFFINO 

​SECRETARY ARDOIN ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING LEGISLATION PASSED DURING 2023 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION

June 12, 2023

​STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY ARDOIN ON THE PASSAGE OF HB 311 

​June 8, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Senate joined the House of Representatives in passing HB 311 by Representative Miguez, which will place a constitutional amendment on the ballot this fall prohibiting the use of funds and resources from a foreign government or a nongovernmental source in the conduct of Louisiana elections, functions and duties called for in the election code (Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes).

“Louisiana's elections are among the safest in the nation, and this endorsement of Representative Miguez's legislation by a supermajority of members in both houses only serves to help further protect Louisiana's ballot from outside influences," said Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin. “I thank Representative Miguez for his diligence in bringing this opportunity for Louisiana's citizens to decide this crucial issue once and for all!"

A link to the bill's final language can be found here.

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​MEDIA ADVISORY: SECRETARY OF STATE TO TEST ELECTION RESULTS TRANSMISSION FOR APRIL 29 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION

April 25, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. —Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin's office will test its electronic election results system on Tuesday, April 25 at 2 p.m. in preparation of the upcoming April 29 Municipal General Election. During the test period, the Secretary of State's website will display mock results. These election results are only for testing purposes and do not reflect any actual results.

​Media outlets are strongly urged to test their election night broadcast systems, graphics and websites in conjunction with the test so any technical issues can be identified and remedied with assistance from the Secretary of State's IT staff prior to election night. In order to prevent any confusion, media outlets are urged to put banners on their websites showing their readers/viewers that the results are only test results and not official.

CREDENTIALED MEDIA ONLY

In preparation for election night, credentialed media outlets may reserve a limited number of seats at the Secretary of State's office on election night. If any issues are encountered, to sign up for the XML feed or to reserve a seat, please contact Kaylee Trisler in the Communications Office at 225.362.5086 or kaylee.trisler@sos.la.gov.

Finally, the Communications Office for Election Day will be staffed by Deputy Secretary, Communications John W. Tobler and Public Information Officer Kaylee Trisler. Mr. Tobler can be reached at 225.362.5111 (office) or john.tobler@sos.la.gov. Mrs. Trisler can be reached at the information listed above.

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BATON ROUGE, La. — The National State Auditor’s Association has named the Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s report on the Department of State’s election integrity procedures as its 2023 Small Performance Audit Excellence in Accountability Award winner.

The Louisiana Legislative Auditor’s team, led by Michael Waguespack, conducted an exhaustive review of Louisiana’s election integrity policies in 2021, leading up to a comprehensive report issued in March 2022 that concluded, “Overall, we found that the Louisiana Department of State has procedures and practices in place to ensure election integrity.”

“Legislative Auditor Michael Waguespack and his team are most deserving of this award for their thoroughness and professionalism in reviewing our election integrity efforts, and I sincerely thank them for their hard work,” Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin said. “Their report detailed the extensive efforts our office, our local election partners, and election workers across the state undertake to ensure that Louisiana’s elections are safe, secure, and accurate. Their report has been most helpful in correcting the myths surrounding our great elections, which have been lauded by others like the Heritage Foundation and Electoral Integrity Project.”

The 2022 report, entitled “Louisiana Department of State – Election Integrity,” can be found here.

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​Secretary Ardoin declares Saturday, April 15 "LSU Gymnastics Day"​

​​SECRETARY ARDOIN ANNOUNCES HE WILL NOT SEEK RE-ELECTION

April 11, 2023​

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin issued the following statement:

“I have decided not to seek re-election.

For the last five years, I have had the blessing of serving as Louisiana's 44^th Secretary of State. In that time, we have faced unprecedented challenges including major hurricanes, a global pandemic, and lies about our election processes and procedures. Through it all, I have been able to witness the unyielding dedication of election staff across the state who worked countless late nights and weekends, sometimes putting their own needs on hold, to deliver democracy to the people of Louisiana. I could not be prouder of their work, and being tasked with leading these individuals has been the honor of a lifetime.

I trust that the next Secretary of State will be able to build off of the accomplishments we have achieved in the last five years, including widespread recognition from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, the Heritage Foundation, and the Electoral Integrity Project for our election integrity measures. 

I hope that Louisianans of all political persuasions will stand against the pervasive lies that have eroded trust in our elections by using conspiracies so far-fetched that they belong in a work of fiction. The vast majority of Louisiana's voters know that our elections are secure and accurate, and it is shameful and outright dangerous that a small minority of vocal individuals have chosen to denigrate the hard work of our election staff and spread unproven falsehoods.

I am thankful for the tireless work of my staff over these last five years, and for the love and support of my family through the many challenges we have faced. I look forward to continuing to serve the people of Louisiana through the remainder of my term."

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​APRIL 29 ELECTION REMINDERS

April 5, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters that Saturday, April 29, is Election Day for the Municipal General Election.

In preparation for the election, Secretary Ardoin encourages voters to remember:

• The deadline to register to vote through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is April 8.
• Early voting is April 15-22 (excluding Sunday, April 16) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
• The deadline to request an absentee ballot is April 25 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters). Voters can request an absentee ballot online through the Voter Portal or in writing through the Registrar of Voters Office.
• The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted absentee ballot is April 28 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).
• Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
• Voters can find their polling location and sample ballot by downloading the GeauxVote Mobile app for smartphones, or by visiting www.GeauxVote.com and logging into the Voter Portal.
• Voters can sign up for text alerts via GeauxVote Mobile.
• Voters should bring an ID with them to vote (Louisiana driver's license, Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport, or a digital license via LA Wallet).
• Election results can be viewed in real-time via GeauxVote Mobile or at www.sos.la.gov. 

​For more information, please contact the Secretary of State's Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

 

​ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES FOR THE APRIL 29 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION

April 5, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters of the upcoming absentee ballot deadlines for the April 29 Municipal General Election.

​The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, April 25 by 4:30 p.m. Requests can be made online by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov and selecting “Request Absentee Ballot," or in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office. Voters who have requested but not yet received an absentee ballot may check their absentee ballot status by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov, entering the appropriate voter information and selecting “Check Absentee Ballot Status."

The deadline to return a completed ballot is Friday, April 28 by 4:30 pm. This instructional video shows step-by-step how to properly fill out and return an absentee ballot. Completed ballots can be returned to the parish Registrar of Voters by mail, in-person by the voter or by a voter's immediate family member. Should a voter be unable to meet an absentee ballot deadline, they can still vote in-person on Election Day. Polling locations can also be found on voterportal.sos.la.gov or on the free GeauxVote mobile app.

For more information, please contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​EARLY VOTING BEGINS APRIL 15 FOR THE APRIL 29 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION

April 5, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters that early voting for the April 29 Municipal General Election begins Saturday, April 15, and continues through Saturday, April 22 (excluding Sunday, April 16) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. 

Voters are encouraged to utilize Louisiana's award-winning, free smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate parish early voting locations, Election Day voting site, or view their sample ballot. GeauxBot, the virtual voter assistant, is also available to access pertinent election information such as registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, and hours. GeauxBot is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.

In addition to a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana Special ID or a generally recognized ID with picture and signature, voters may use a digital license via LA Wallet.

​For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE ARDOIN ANNOUNCES LEGISLATIVE PACKAGE FOR 2023 REGULAR SESSION

April 3, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced the Department of State's legislative package ahead of the 2023 Regular Legislative Session.

“The legislative package we are championing this year include bills that will strengthen our election integrity and cybersecurity posture. I am calling on the legislature to pass the bills in our package, and for the governor to use his remaining time in office to strengthen our election integrity by signing them into law," Secretary Ardoin said.

The package of bills includes:

• HB 159 by Rep. Les Farnum to provide for a supplemental voter canvass.
• HB 311 by Rep. Blake Miguez (Constitutional Amendment) to prohibit the private funding of elections.
• HB 361 by Rep. Daryl Deshotel to prohibit the use of TikTok on state devices or networks.
• HB135 by Rep. Mike Johnson to prohibit sex offenders from serving as election commissioners. 
• HB 216 by Rep. Dodie Horton to allow for military members and their dependents stationed in Louisiana to serve as election commissioners.
• HB 174 by Rep. Julie Emerson to protect the personal, identifiable information of active duty military members and their dependents from being released in a public records request.
  
  The legislative session begins on April 10 and ends on June 8. 
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​SECRETARY ARDOIN DECLARES FRIDAY, MARCH 31 “LSU WOMEN'S BASKETBALL DAY"

March 28, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — In honor of the LSU Women's Basketball team's return to the NCAA Final Four for the first time since 2008, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin proclaimed Friday, March 31 as “LSU Women's Basketball Day" in Louisiana.

“The LSU women's basketball team has had an incredible run, led by Coach Kim Mulkey and an amazing roster of players," Ardoin said. “I encourage all Louisianans to wear purple and gold this Friday, March 31 to show their support for the Lady Tigers as they look to make it to the national championship game on Sunday."

LSU's Women's Basketball team will be making its sixth appearance in the Final Four, and its first appearance since 2008. The Lady Tigers have a record of 32-2 so far, with players like forward Angel Reese setting the SEC single season double-double record.  

 See the official proclamation here.​ 

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​MEDIA ADVISORY: SECRETARY OF STATE TO TEST ELECTION RESULTS TRANSMISSION FOR MARCH 25 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION

March 17, 2023

​BATON ROUGE, La. —Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin's office will test its electronic election results system on Tuesday, March 21 at 2 p.m. in preparation of the upcoming March 25 Municipal Primary Election. During the test period, the Secretary of State's website will display mock results. These election results are only for testing purposes and do not reflect any actual results.

Media outlets are strongly urged to test their election night broadcast systems, graphics and websites in conjunction with the test so any technical issues can be identified and remedied with assistance from the Secretary of State's IT staff prior to election night. In order to prevent any confusion, media outlets are urged to put banners on their websites showing their readers/viewers that the results are only test results and not official.

CREDENTIALED MEDIA ONLY

In preparation for election night, credentialed media outlets may reserve a limited number of seats at the Secretary of State's office on election night. If any issues are encountered, to sign up for the XML feed or to reserve a seat, please contact Kaylee Trisler in the Communications Office at 225.362.5086 or kaylee.trisler@sos.la.gov.

Finally, the Communications Office for Election Day will be staffed by Deputy Secretary, Communications John W. Tobler and Public Information Officer Kaylee Trisler. Mr. Tobler can be reached at 225.362.5111 (office) or john.tobler@sos.la.gov. Mrs. Trisler can be reached at the information listed above.

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​SECRETARY ARDOIN RELEASES STATEMENT ON THREE MORE STATES WITHDRAWING FROM THE ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION INFORMATION CENTER 

March 6, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary Ardoin released the following statement today, following the news of three states withdrawing from the Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC):

“Today, three states—Florida, West Virginia, and Missouri—joined Louisiana and Alabama in withdrawing from ERIC. As I stated when Louisiana became the first state to leave ERIC, I have a responsibility to protect my constituents' personal data, and being a part of ERIC was no longer in the best interest of our citizens. I am pleased to see other states come to the same conclusion and join Louisiana in withdrawing, and I am confident that we will work together to advance election integrity in our respective states."​

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​ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES FOR THE MARCH 25 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION

March 1, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters of the upcoming absentee ballot deadlines for the March 25 Municipal Primary Election.

​The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, March 21 by 4:30 p.m. Requests can be made online by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov and selecting “Request Absentee Ballot," or in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office. Voters who have requested but not yet received an absentee ballot may check their absentee ballot status by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov, entering the appropriate voter information and selecting “Check Absentee Ballot Status."

The deadline to return a completed ballot is Friday, March 24 by 4:30 pm. This instructional video shows step-by-step how to properly fill out and return an absentee ballot. Completed ballots can be returned to the parish Registrar of Voters by mail, in-person by the voter or by a voter's immediate family member. Should a voter be unable to meet an absentee ballot deadline, they can still vote in-person on Election Day. Polling locations can also be found on voterportal.sos.la.gov or on the free GeauxVote mobile app.

For more information, please contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​EARLY VOTING BEGINS MARCH 11 FOR THE MARCH 25 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION

March 1, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters that early voting for the March 25 Municipal Primary Election begins Saturday, March 11, and continues through Saturday, March 18 (excluding Sunday, March 12) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. 

​Voters are encouraged to utilize Louisiana's award-winning, free smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate parish early voting locations, Election Day voting site, or view their sample ballot. GeauxBot, the virtual voter assistant, is also available to access pertinent election information such as registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, and hours. GeauxBot is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.

In addition to a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana Special ID or a generally recognized ID with picture and signature, voters may use a digital license via LA Wallet.

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​MARCH 25 ELECTION DAY REMINDERS

March 1, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters that Saturday, March 25 is Election Day for the Municipal Primary Election.

In preparation for the election, Secretary Ardoin encourages voters to remember:

• The deadline to register to vote through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is March 4.
• Seven parishes will have only local races on the ballot: Iberia, Iberville, Jackson, Morehouse, Orleans, Terrebonne, and Washington.
• 12 parishes will have local propositions only on the ballot: Ascension, DeSoto, Jefferson Davis, Lincoln, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Pointe Coupee, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Vermilion, West Feliciana, and Winn.
• Nine parishes will have both local races and local propositions on the ballot: Bossier, Caddo, East Baton Rouge, Grant, Lafourche, Livingston, St. Mary, St. Tammany, and Webster.
• 36 parishes will have no elections: Acadia, Allen, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Calcasieu, Caldwell, Cameron, Catahoula, Claiborne, Concordia, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Jefferson, Lafayette, LaSalle, Madison, Plaquemines, Rapides, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. Helena, St. James, St. John, St. Landry, St. Martin, Union, Vernon, West Baton Rouge, and West Carroll.
• Early voting is March 11 through March 18 (excluding Sunday, March 12) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
• The deadline to request an absentee ballot is March 21 by 4:30 p.m (other than military and overseas voters). Voters can request an absentee ballot online through the Voter Portal or in writing through their registrar of voters Office.
• The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted absentee ballot is March 24 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).
• Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
• Voters can find their polling location and sample ballot by downloading the GeauxVote Mobile app for smartphones, or by visiting www.GeauxVote.com and logging into the Voter Portal.
• Voters can sign up for text alerts via GeauxVote Mobile.
• Voters should bring an ID with them to vote (Louisiana driver's license, Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport, or a digital license via LA Wallet).
• Election results can be viewed in real-time via GeauxVote Mobile or at www.sos.la.gov. 

For more information, please contact the Secretary of State's Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE ARDOIN ANNOUNCES ORLEANS PARISH CONSENT JUDGMENT 

March 1, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced today a consent judgment with the leaders of the proposed mayoral recall in New Orleans.

“The maintenance of voter rolls in Louisiana is of utmost importance to me," Secretary Ardoin said. “Even though the statutory and constitutional authority to conduct list maintenance rests with each parish's Registrar of Voters, I continue to call for legislation that would provide for additional tools to better conduct this important job; namely, a supplemental voter canvass. The legislature supported this measure overwhelmingly in 2021 and 2022, but it was vetoed in both years by Governor Edwards. I am again calling on him to sign this critical legislation this year."

“The ability of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation, to participate in the democratic process necessitates accurate voter rolls. If presented with evidence that voter rolls are incorrect, it is critical that election officials review any alleged inaccuracy. Therefore, as part of the consent judgement we have reached with the leaders of the proposed mayoral recall, my office will lead the effort in reviewing, in-depth, each and every potential ineligible voter in Orleans Parish as identified by the recall leaders. Though this responsibility ultimately rests with the registrar, I want to personally see to it that this does not continue to be an issue by conducting a complete examination of the voting rolls by the Elections Division and the Elections Compliance Unit investigators."

The entry of a consent judgment by Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Jennifer Medley revises the number of qualified electors in Orleans Parish for purposes of the recall petition. The initial communication of qualified electors from Secretary Ardoin to Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters Sandra Wilson was 249,876. The consent judgment reached will revise that number to 224,876.

No voter will be removed from the voter rolls in Orleans Parish due to today's agreement. The removal of voters must be done in accordance with due process and with all state and federal laws.

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​

MEDIA ADVISORY: STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE ARDOIN ON ORLEANS PARISH VOTER LIST MAINTENANCE​

February 28, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin issued the following statement today concerning the questions surrounding voter list maintenance in Orleans Parish:

“First and foremost, I reiterate that the responsibility of updating and maintaining an accurate voter registration list falls to the Registrar of Voters in each parish. While my role is limited, my office has complied with each and every process provided and allowed for in law related to voter list maintenance.

However, I have long argued that the law does not go far enough. It is vital that we have more tools to ensure an accurate voter registration list; namely, a supplemental canvass to address individuals who are deceased, ineligible to vote in Louisiana, or have moved out-of-state. Despite the fact that many of these voters will not be removed through our current, legally prescribed canvass or monthly list maintenance procedures, Governor Edwards has continued to deny my office and our parish Registrars of Voters this necessary tool by vetoing legislation that would provide for such in 2021 and 2022.

As the law currently stands, my office has followed what we are legally allowed and required to do. I am confident in my office's ability to conduct our part of the list maintenance process, but I continue to support stronger procedures, such as a supplemental voter canvass, and will support legislation to authorize one when it is presented to the legislature in the upcoming session."

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SECRETARY ARDOIN ISSUES STATEMENT ON NEW ORLEANS RECALL QUESTIONS​

February 24, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Today, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin issued the following statement on voter list maintenance in Louisiana:

“As Louisiana's Secretary of State, I have always championed legislation to provide the tools needed to maintain accurate voter lists in each parish. Louisiana law places the responsibility of verification and maintenance of each parish's voter registration list on the local Registrar of Voters. These tools include, but are not limited to, more accurate death records from the Louisiana Department of Health (HB 167 by Rep. Mike Johnson, 2021 Regular Session).

Despite the nonpartisan Louisiana Legislative Auditor recommending a second annual canvass, and the overwhelming support of the legislature in 2021 and 2022 (HB 138 and HB 35 by Rep. Les Farnum), Governor Edwards vetoed both of these bills. Although the Legislative Auditor confirmed in its 2022 report that our office follows the necessary procedures related to list maintenance, I believe a second annual canvass is vital to ensuring an accurate voter registration list and maintaining voter confidence. For this reason, I will support this legislation, as authored by Rep. Les Farnum, in the upcoming legislative session, and I call on Governor Edwards to sign it upon its passage.

Recall elections are an essential component of Louisiana's democratic form of government. I fully and completely support and endorse the right of voters to seek a recall election."

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​SECRETARY ARDOIN ISSUES STATEMENT ON NEW ORLEANS RECALL QUESTIONS

February 16, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary Ardoin and the Elections Division have made the integrity of voting rolls their highest priority and have championed the effort to add a supplemental annual canvass period for parish registrars of voters, which passed the legislature in 2021 (HB138 by Farnum) and was later vetoed by Governor John Bel Edwards. Our office supported this effort again in 2022 (HB35 by Farnum), which passed both houses of the legislature and was again vetoed by the governor.  

Parish registrars are both constitutionally and statutorily tasked with the management of Louisiana's voter rolls. Among the many tools that are available to them are lists provided by the Louisiana Department of Public Safety & Corrections and the Louisiana Department of Health.

There are a number of federal and state laws governing the requirements for registrars to remove a voter from the voter rolls, including matching data points for voters that moved to another jurisdiction, had a change in qualified status as a result of a criminal conviction, or have passed away.

The Secretary of State's office maintains a policy of not commenting on active litigation and will not be offering further remarks on this matter.​

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​MEDIA ADVISORY: SECRETARY OF STATE TO TEST ELECTION RESULTS TRANSMISSION FOR FEB. 18 STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 93 SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION

Feb. 14, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. —Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin's office will test its electronic election results system on Tuesday, Feb. 14 at 2 p.m. in preparation of the upcoming Feb. 18 State Representative District 93 Special Primary Election. During the test period, the Secretary of State's website will display mock results. These election results are only for testing purposes and do not reflect any actual results.

Media outlets are strongly urged to test their election night broadcast systems, graphics and websites in conjunction with the test so any technical issues can be identified and remedied with assistance from the Secretary of State's IT staff prior to election night. In an effort to prevent any confusion, media outlets are urged to put banners on their websites showing their readers/viewers that the results are only test results and not official.

CREDENTIALED MEDIA ONLY

In preparation for election night, credentialed media outlets may reserve a limited number of seats at the Secretary of State's office on election night. If any issues are encountered, to sign up for the XML feed or to reserve a seat, please contact Kaylee Trisler in the Communications Office at 225.362.5086 or kaylee.trisler@sos.la.gov.

Finally, the Communications Office for Election Day will be staffed by Deputy Secretary, Communications John W. Tobler and Public Information Officer Kaylee Trisler. Mr. Tobler can be reached at 225.362.5111 (office) or john.tobler@sos.la.gov. Mrs. Trisler can be reached at the information listed above.​

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​Executive Order JBE 2023-5 Suspension of Election Qualifying​

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FEBRUARY 18 SPECIAL ELECTION REMINDERS

January 23, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters that Saturday, Feb. 18 is Election Day for the 93^rd Representative District Special Primary Election.

In preparation for the election, Secretary Ardoin encourages voters to remember:

• The deadline to register to vote through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is Jan. 28.
• Early voting is Feb. 4 through Feb. 11 (excluding Sunday, Feb. 5) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Feb. 14 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).
• The deadline to return a voted absentee ballot to the registrar of voters office is Feb. 17 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).
• Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
• Voters can find their polling location and sample ballot by downloading the GeauxVote Mobile app for smartphones or by visiting www.GeauxVote.com.
• Voters may also utilize the virtual voter assistant, GeauxBot, to access pertinent election information. GeauxBot is accessible by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.
• Voters can sign up for text alerts via GeauxVote Mobile.
• Voters should bring an ID with them to vote (Louisiana driver's license, Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport, or a digital license via LA Wallet).
• Election results can be viewed in real-time via GeauxVote Mobile or at www.sos.la.gov. 
  
  For more information, please contact our Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.
  
   
  
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ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES FOR THE FEBRUARY 18 DISTRICT 93 STATE REPRESENTATIVE SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION​

January 23, 2023 

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters of the upcoming absentee ballot deadlines for the Feb. 18 special primary election for state representative to fill the vacancy in the 93^rd Representative District.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Feb. 14 by 4:30 p.m. Requests can be made online by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov and selecting “Request Absentee Ballot," or in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office. Voters who have requested but not yet received an absentee ballot may check their absentee ballot status by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov, entering the appropriate voter information and selecting “Check Absentee Ballot Status."

The deadline to return a completed ballot is Friday, Feb. 17 by 4:30 pm. This instructional video shows step-by-step how to properly fill out and return an absentee ballot. Completed ballots can be returned to the parish Registrar of Voters by mail, in-person by the voter or by a voter's immediate family member. Should a voter be unable to meet an absentee ballot deadline, they can still vote in-person on Election Day. Polling locations can also be found on voterportal.sos.la.gov or on the free GeauxVote mobile app.

For more information, please contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​

EARLY VOTING BEGINS FEB. 4 FOR THE STATE REPRESENTATIVE DISTRICT 93 SPECIAL PRIMARY ELECTION ON FEB. 18

January 23, 2023​ 

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin reminds voters that early voting for the Feb. 18 special primary election for state representative to fill the vacancy in the 93^rd Representative District begins Saturday, Feb. 4, and continues through Saturday, Feb. 11 (excluding Sunday, Feb. 5) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. With Carnival festivities taking place during this election, voters are encouraged to vote early at one of Orleans Parish's four convenient early voting locations, which can be found by logging into the online voter portal at voterportal.sos.la.gov.

​Voters are encouraged to utilize Louisiana's award-winning, free smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate parish early voting locations, Election Day voting site, or view their sample ballot. GeauxBot, the virtual voter assistant, is also available to access pertinent election information such as registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, and hours. GeauxBot is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.

In addition to a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana Special ID or a generally recognized ID with picture and signature, voters may use a digital license via LA Wallet.

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​Click here​ to view the notice and agenda for the Jan. 23 State Board of Election Supervisors meeting.

WRITTEN IN THE STARS: CELEBRATING 100 LOUISIANA LUMINARIES ON DISPLAY AT THE LOUISIANA STATE ARCHIVES
​

​January 11, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. – Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin and the Louisiana State Archives are pleased to announce the opening of the 2023 exhibition, “Written in the Stars: Celebrating 100 Louisiana Luminaries," along with its companion show, “Generations of Light," a student art exhibition. The public is invited to be among the first to view the exhibition and art show by attending the opening reception and awards ceremony honoring the high school artists of “Generations of Light" on Thursday, January 12, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the State Archives. “Written in the Stars: Celebrating 100 Louisiana Luminaries" will be on display in the Louisiana Room and lobby Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Louisiana State Archives until December 8. “Generations of Light" will be on display in the Exhibitions Room until January 27.

The foundational concept for the exhibit is to feature the records housed in the Archives. The birth, death, and marriage certificates of dozens of historic figures document our state's identity as the birthplace and melting pot for cultural creativity. “As the official keeper of Louisiana's historic vital records, the Louisiana State Archives provides a window into the personal history of the larger than life individuals who have made their mark on the world and called Louisiana home," said Louisiana State Archivist Catherine J. Newsome. “We are honored to have the public view the legend and memory of Louisiana's citizens and brightest stars through the use of our records."

“Written in the Stars" explores notable Louisiana-born historical personalities who made their mark in Louisiana and beyond. These personalities are organized by their zodiac signs, and viewers will identify and connect the traits which shaped these renowned figures to their own. The exhibition utilizes the collection of the state's vital records from the Louisiana State Archives and artifacts loaned by private lenders and cultural heritage institutions, the exhibition offers a glimpse into the lives of some of Louisiana's most iconic and trailblazing cultural figures.

This major exhibition shines a special light on the legacies of 49 Louisiana-born men and women of color, each who reached remarkable professional heights in the face of disenfranchisement, discrimination and racial violence. A rare piece in the show features an original edition of La Tribune de la Nouvelle-Orléans  (The New Orleans Tribune), the first Black daily newspaper in the United States, reporting the news of July 12, 1866.  Published by a free man of color, Dr. Louis Charles Roudanez, the paper ignited a crusade for racial justice that reached far beyond the state's borders, with over 1,000 issues of The New Orleans Tribune printed in six years.

A show-stopping piece on display is the final Mardi Gras suit of Big Chief Donald Harrison Sr. of the Guardians of the Flame, along with his sewing shears and staple gun. Coinciding with the launch of Carnival season, visitors will be reminded of the skilled artistry involved in New Orleans' Black masking traditions. At the same time, photographs and awards show the family man throughout his career path.

The stories of several New Orleans culinary figures are told through their utensils, cookbooks, recipes, and work garments. Original recipe cards and kitchen tools from the inventor of the doberge cake, Beulah Ledner Levy, show the progression of her thriving business, as do the cookbooks of cooking show television host Lena Richard and the chef's jacket worn by restaurateur Leah Chase.

Fine art by Caroline Dormon, Caroline Durieux, Clementine Hunter, John Gasquet, and George Rodrigue is featured in the Louisiana Room. “I Live in Two Worlds," a 2010 George Rodrigue Blue Dog painting, complements his bronze sculptural masterpiece from the 1970s, “Evangeline Standing," as part of the exhibit. The exhibit also includes personal belongings from Briarwood, the North Louisiana nature preserve of botanist, author and forester Caroline Dormon.

The student artists featured in “Generations of Light" used the exhibition as inspiration and produced pieces honoring one of the 100 luminaries. The exhibition and show curator Angi Cinquemano cites the generational link between both exhibits as “evidence of Louisiana's ongoing creative revolution."

Personal tours are available by request. For more information about the exhibit, follow the Louisiana Secretary of State on Instagram and Facebook @louisianasos, visit www.sos.la.gov or call 225-922-1000.

# # #

​SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE ARDOIN COMMENDS GOVERNOR EDWARDS  AND SUPERINTENDENT BRUMLEY FOR TIKTOK BANS ​

January 5, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin commended Governor John Bel  Edwards and Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley for following the Department of State’s lead in  issuing a ban on TikToK on devices under their jurisdiction. This move comes two weeks after Secretary  Ardoin issued a ban on the app on all Department of State devices and networks, and called on Governor  Edwards to do the same on all state-issued devices.  

“I am pleased that Governor Edwards and Superintendent Brumley are following the lead of the Department of  State. Under my leadership, the department has prohibited access to the Chinese-owned TikTok app across all  of our networks and devices,” Ardoin said. “We have a responsibility to protect our constituents’ data, which  TikTok places at risk with its data mining and connections to the Chinese Communist Party. This app represents  a clear threat to our privacy and national security.” 

Secretary Ardoin also recently announced that he would be working with State Representative Daryl Deshotel  on legislation that would codify a ban on TikTok on all state-issued devices. 

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​MEDIA ADVISORY: SECRETARY OF STATE TO TEST ELECTION RESULTS TRANSMISSION FOR JAN. 14 TURKEY CREEK MAYORAL ELECTION

January 10, 2023

BATON ROUGE, La. —Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin's office will test its electronic election results system ahead of the upcoming Jan. 14 Turkey Creek Mayoral Election on Tuesday, Jan. 10 at 2 p.m. During the test period, the secretary of state's website will display mock results. These election results are only for testing purposes and do not reflect any actual results.

​Media outlets are strongly urged to test their election night broadcast systems, graphics and websites in conjunction with secretary of state testing so any technical issues can be identified and remedied with assistance from the Secretary of State's IT staff prior to election night. In an effort to prevent any confusion, media outlets are urged to put banners on their websites showing their readers/viewers that the results are only test results and not official.

CREDENTIALED MEDIA ONLY

In preparation for election night, credentialed media outlets may reserve a limited number of seats at the Secretary of State's office on election night. If any issues are encountered, to sign up for the XML feed or to reserve a seat, please contact Kaylee Trisler in the Communications Office at 225.362.5086 or kaylee.trisler@sos.la.gov.

Finally, the Communications Office for Election Day will be staffed by Deputy Secretary, Communications John W. Tobler and Public Information Officer Kaylee Trisler. Mr. Tobler can be reached at 225.362.5111 (office) or john.tobler@sos.la.gov. Mrs. Trisler can be reached at the information listed above.

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LOUISIANA SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE ARDOIN AND STATE REPRESENTATIVE DARYL DESHOTEL TO PURSUE LEGISLATION TO BAN TIKTOK ON STATE DEVICES

“TikTok is a clear and present danger to our national security and election integrity,” Representative Deshotel said. “TikTok is a Chinese company with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party. The last thing we need to do is give them access to the data on our state devices. We have seen first-hand that foreign agents will go to any length necessary to gather important intelligence on the United States using social media applications and sophisticated data collection. This is a commonsense piece of legislation.”

“I am grateful to be teaming up with Representative Deshotel after his announcement that he would pre-file a bill to ban the Chinese-owned TikTok on state-issued devices. TikTok is a threat to our citizens' personal data and has no business on any device owned by the State of Louisiana,” Ardoin said. “Representative Deshotel and I believe we should be doing everything we can to protect our constituents’ personally identifiable information. This bill will help do just that.”

Earlier this week, Secretary Ardoin announced that he was banning TikTok on Department of State-owned devices and wrote to Governor Edwards urging him to issue a ban on all state-owned devices. 

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​JANUARY 14 TURKEY CREEK MAYORAL GENERAL ELECTION REMINDERS

December 22, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin would like to remind voters in Turkey Creek in Evangeline Parish that the Turkey Creek Mayoral General Election will take place Saturday, Jan. 14, 2023. This will be the second general election for this race, the first of which resulted in a tie during the Dec. 10 statewide general election.

Turkey Creek voters should keep the following important dates and deadlines in mind:

• The deadline to register to vote through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is Dec. 24.
• Early voting is Dec. 29 through Jan. 7 (excluding Friday, Dec. 30 for a governor-declared holiday, Sunday, Jan. 1, and Monday, Jan. 2, for New Year's Day) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
• The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Jan. 10 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters). Voters can request an absentee ballot online through the online voter portal or in writing through the Evangeline Parish Registrar of Voters Office.
• The deadline to return a voted absentee ballot to the Evangeline Parish Registrar of Voters Office is Jan. 13 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).

For more information, please visit GeauxVote.com, download the Geaux Vote mobile app, or contact the Secretary of State's Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​SECRETARY OF STATE KYLE ARDOIN BANS TIKTOK ON DEPARTMENT OF STATE DEVICES, CALLS ON GOVERNOR EDWARDS TO ISSUE BAN ON ALL STATE-ISSUED DEVICES

December 19, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced today that he was banning TikTok on all Department of State-issued devices, and called on Governor John Bel Edwards to follow the lead of the governors of Alabama, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Maryland, Texas, Utah and Virginia by banning its use on all state government-issued devices.

In a letter sent to Governor Edwards today, Secretary Ardoin said: “As Secretary of State, I have the serious responsibility of protecting voters' personally identifiable information, which is why I have taken the step of banning the use of TikTok on all devices owned or leased by my agency. I wholeheartedly believe that doing so on a statewide level would protect our data and reaffirm our commitment to privacy protections for our constituents. Therefore, I urge you to issue a directive banning the use of TikTok on our state government's devices with immediate effect."

​This move follows a vote by unanimous consent by the United States Senate to ban TikTok on US government devices, stemming from concerns over its data collection and ties to the Chinese Communist Party.

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​MEDIA ADVISORY: SECRETARY ARDOIN TO HOLD PRESS CONFERENCE SUPPORTING CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT ONE

November 30, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin will hold a press conference Thursday, Dec. 1 at 10 a.m. at Louisiana's Old State Capitol to discuss Constitutional Amendment No. 1 on the ballot for the Dec. 10 election. Secretary Ardoin will be joined by state Senator Beth Mizell, along with Christopher Arps, President of Americans for Citizen Voting.

“As Secretary of State, it is my job to ensure that our elections remain secure, accurate and transparent. That includes protecting and preserving the right to vote for American citizens. Currently, there is the potential to exploit language in our state constitution that could allow municipalities to extend the sacred right to vote to noncitizens. That doesn't sit right with me, so I worked alongside Rep. Debbie Villio and Senator Beth Mizell during the most recent legislative session to craft language that makes it clear that only American citizens can vote in Louisiana's elections," Ardoin said.

Constitutional Amendment No. 1 was placed on the ballot after passage of HB 178 by Rep. Debbie Villio during the 2022 Regular Legislative Session. HB 178 had 40 co-authors and passed with a bipartisan two-thirds majority in the Louisiana House of Representatives, and a nearly-unanimous vote in the Louisiana Senate.

Louisiana's Old State Capitol is located at 100 North Blvd. in downtown Baton Rouge and is under direction of the Louisiana Department of State.

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​DECEMBER 10 ELECTION REMINDERS

November 21, 2022

​BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding everyone that Saturday, Dec. 10, 2022 is Election Day for the Congressional General Election.

In preparation for the election, Secretary Ardoin encourages voters to remember:

• Early voting will take place Nov. 26 through Dec. 3 (excluding Sunday, Nov. 27) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  
• The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Dec. 6 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).
• The deadline to return a voted absentee ballot to the registrar of voters office is Dec. 9 by 4:30 p.m. (other than military and overseas voters).
• Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
• Voters can find their polling location and sample ballot by downloading the GeauxVote Mobile app for smartphones or by visiting www.GeauxVote.com.
• Voters may also utilize the virtual voter assistant, GeauxBot, to access pertinent election information. GeauxBot is accessible by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.
• Voters can sign up for text alerts via GeauxVote Mobile.
• Voters should bring an ID with them to vote (Louisiana driver's license, Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport, or a digital license via LA Wallet).
• Election results can be viewed in real-time via GeauxVote Mobile or at www.sos.la.gov. 
  
  ​For more information, please contact our Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.
  
   
  
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​ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES FOR THE DEC. 10 CONGRESSIONAL GENERAL ELECTION

November 21, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters of the upcoming absentee ballot deadlines for the Dec. 10 Congressional General Election.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Dec. 6 by 4:30 p.m. Requests can be made online by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov and selecting “Request Absentee Ballot," or in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office. Voters who have requested but not yet received an absentee ballot may check their absentee ballot status by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov, entering the appropriate voter information and selecting “Check Absentee Ballot Status."

The deadline to return a completed ballot is Friday, Dec. 9 by 4:30 pm. This instructional video shows step-by-step how to properly fill out and return an absentee ballot. Completed ballots can be returned to the parish Registrar of Voters by mail, in-person by the voter or by a voter's immediate family member. Should a voter be unable to meet an absentee ballot deadline, they can still vote in-person on Election Day. Polling locations can also be found on voterportal.sos.la.gov or on the free GeauxVote mobile app.

For more information, please contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​EARLY VOTING BEGINS NOV. 26 FOR THE DEC. 10 CONGRESSIONAL GENERAL ELECTION

November 21, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters that early voting for the Dec. 10 Congressional General Election begins Saturday, Nov. 26, and continues through Saturday, Dec. 3 (excluding Sunday, Nov. 27) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. 

Voters are encouraged to utilize Louisiana's award-winning, free smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate parish early voting locations, Election Day voting site, or view their sample ballot. GeauxBot, the virtual voter assistant, is also available to access pertinent election information such as registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, and hours. GeauxBot is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.

 In addition to a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana Special ID or a generally recognized ID with picture and signature, voters may use a digital license via LA Wallet.

​For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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KENNER POLLING LOCATION MOVED

November 8, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin responded to a bomb threat this morning at the Kenner Discovery Health Sciences Academy on Loyola Drive, which also serves as a polling location. Law enforcement officers are on the scene, and early investigations indicate that the motive was not election-related. The school serves as a polling location for precincts K007A and K007B, which have been moved to Audubon Elementary School at 200 W. Loyola Drive in Kenner. Personnel have been stationed at the location to direct voters to Audubon Elementary, and voters who signed up for electronic notifications through the Geaux Vote online portal were notified of the change electronically.

“I am exceedingly grateful to Kenner Chief of Police Keith Conley and Jefferson Parish Sheriff Joe Lopinto for their prompt response and thorough investigation, which appears to show that this was never targeted toward voters or election workers. I also applaud our department's elections staff and Jefferson Parish Clerk of Court Jon Gegenheimer for this quick response to move the location and inform voters of the emergency move," Ardoin said.

For voting-related information or questions, please contact our Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov. Media inquiries should be directed to Deputy Secretary, Communications John W. Tobler at john.tobler@sos.la.gov.

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​MEDIA ADVISORY: SECRETARY OF STATE TO TEST TRANSMISSION OF ELECTION RESULTS FOR THE NOV. 8 ELECTION

October 27, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. —Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin's office will test its electronic election results system ahead of the upcoming Nov. 8 election on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 2 p.m. During the test period, mock results will be displayed on the secretary of state's website. These election results are only for testing purposes and do not reflect any actual results.

Media outlets are strongly urged to test their election night broadcast systems, graphics and websites in conjunction with our testing so that any technical issues can be identified and remedied with assistance from the Secretary of State's IT staff prior to election night. In an effort to prevent any confusion, we urge outlets to put banners on their websites showing their readers/viewers that the results are only test results and not official.

CREDENTIALED MEDIA ONLY

In preparation for election night, credentialed media outlets may reserve a limited number of seats at the Secretary of State's office on election night. If any issues are encountered, to sign up for the XML feed or to reserve a seat please contact Kaylee Trisler in the Communications Office at 225.362.5086 or kaylee.trisler@sos.la.gov.

Finally, the Communications Office for Election Day will be staffed by Deputy Secretary, Communications John W. Tobler and Public Information Officer Kaylee Trisler. Mr. Tobler can be reached at 225.362.5111 (office) or john.tobler@sos.la.gov. Mrs. Trisler can be reached at the information listed above.

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​EARLY VOTING BEGINS OCT. 25 FOR THE NOV. 8 OPEN CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY ELECTION

September 13, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters that early voting for the Nov. 8 Open Congressional Primary Election begins Tuesday, Oct. 25, and continues through Tuesday, Nov. 1 (excluding Sunday, Oct. 30) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. 

​Voters are encouraged to utilize Louisiana's award-winning, free smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate parish early voting locations, Election Day voting site, or view their sample ballot. GeauxBot, the virtual voter assistant, is also available to access pertinent election information such as registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, and hours. GeauxBot is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.

In addition to a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana Special ID or a generally recognized ID with picture and signature, voters may use a digital license via LA Wallet.

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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ELECTION DAY REMINDERS​

September 13, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding everyone that Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2022 is Election Day for the Open Congressional Primary Election.

In preparation for the election, Secretary Ardoin encourages voters to remember:

• Voted absentee ballots must be returned to the parish registrar of voters office by Monday, Nov. 7 at 4:30 p.m.
  
• Polls open at 6 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
• Voters can find their polling location and sample ballot by downloading the GeauxVote Mobile app for smartphones or by visiting www.GeauxVote.com.
• Voters may also utilize the virtual voter assistant, GeauxBot, to access pertinent election information. GeauxBot is accessible by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.
• Voters can sign up for text alerts via GeauxVote Mobile.
• Voters should bring an ID with them to vote (Louisiana driver's license, Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport, or a digital license via LA Wallet).
• Election results can be viewed in real-time via GeauxVote Mobile or at www.sos.la.gov. 

For more information, please contact our Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.​

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​VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES FOR THE NOV. 8 OPEN CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY ELECTION

​September 13, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding Louisianians that the deadlines to register to vote in the Nov. 8 Open Congressional Primary Election are fast approaching. The in-person or by mail registration deadline is Tuesday, Oct. 11, and the deadline for registering through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is Tuesday, Oct. 18. These deadlines are for citizens who have never registered to vote as well as voters who would like to make changes to their registration.

Citizens may check their registration or register to vote online at www.GeauxVote.com; at their parish's Registrar of Voters Office; while obtaining services at the Office of Motor Vehicles, public assistance agencies and disability services offices; or by mail. Louisianians can also utilize the GeauxVote Mobile smartphone app to access registration, ballot and polling place information.

After registering, voters should download the GeauxVote Mobile smartphone app. The app provides registration information as well as voting districts, sample ballots, polling place information and election results.

Early voting for the Nov. 8 election is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 25 through Tuesday, Nov. 1 (excluding Sunday, Oct. 30), from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information about the Secretary of State's Elections Division, visit www.GeauxVote.com or call the Elections Hotline at 800.883.2805.

- www.sos.la.gov -

ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES FOR THE NOV. 8 OPEN CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY ELECTION

September 13, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters of the upcoming absentee ballot deadlines for the Nov. 8 Open Congressional Primary Election.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Friday, Nov. 4 by 4:30 p.m. Requests can be made online by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov and selecting “Request Absentee Ballot," or in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office. Voters who have requested but not yet received an absentee ballot may check their absentee ballot status by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov, entering the appropriate voter information and selecting “Check Absentee Ballot Status."

The deadline to return a completed ballot is Monday, Nov. 7 by 4:30 pm. This instructional video shows step-by-step how to properly fill out and return an absentee ballot. Completed ballots can be returned to the parish Registrar of Voters by mail, in-person by the voter or by a voter's immediate family member. Should a voter be unable to meet an absentee ballot deadline, they can still vote in-person on Election Day. Polling locations can also be found on voterportal.sos.la.gov or on the free GeauxVote mobile app.

​For more information, please contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​Letter from Secretary Ardoin to Elections staff regarding records retention​

​Letter from Secretary Ardoin withdrawing from Electronic Registration Information Center (ERIC)​

​Letter from Secretary Ardoin to local election officials concerning retention of 2020 election records​​

SECRETARY ARDOIN TO UNVEIL 2022 “I VOTED" STICKER DESIGN

August 10, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La.— Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin will unveil the commissioned design for the 2022 “I Voted" sticker on Tuesday, Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. at Louisiana's Old State Capitol. The unveiling ceremony will be open to members of the public and media. The artwork for this year's sticker is entitled “Louisiana State of Mind," and was created by Jefferson Parish artist Becky Fos, who will also be in attendance at the unveiling.

“We are extremely grateful to Ms. Fos for creating this beautiful work of art to grace this year's 'I Voted' sticker. Louisiana voters are passionate about their stickers, and we wanted to ensure that this design was unique to our state and as colorful as the citizens we represent," Ardoin said.

Fos said she was honored to create the sticker design and was excited to have her work viewed by voters across the state. She also hopes that the design will help increase voter turnout and broaden her Happy Artist brand.

“I couldn't wait to turn 18 so that I could exercise my right to vote! To be commissioned to create the 'I Voted' sticker artwork is a huge compliment to me and a dream come true," Fos said.

Voters will receive the stickers when they vote at the polls for the Nov. 8 Open Congressional Primary Election and the Dec. 10 Congressional General Election. Ardoin is encouraging voters to check their voter registration and make any necessary updates before the midterm elections by logging into the GeauxVote online voter portal at voterportal.sos.la.gov.

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ELECTIONS COMPLIANCE UNIT INVESTIGATION RESULTS IN FEDERAL GUILTY PLEAS FOR FORMER POLICE CHIEF AND CITY COUNCIL MEMBER

July 22, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced today that an investigation that began as a result of the 2016 Amite City municipal elections has resulted in a pair of guilty pleas in election-related crimes in Tangipahoa Parish.

Federal court documents describe the conspiracy between former Amite City Chief of Police Jerry Trabona and Kristian “Kris" Hart, a current Amite City Council member, to pay voters for voting in the 2016 open primary where both were candidates, and in which federal candidates also appeared on the ballot. Hart pleaded guilty to three additional counts of both paying and offering to pay voters in the 2016 and 2020 elections.

“While this case against Trabona and Hart began as a result of a federal investigation, it was aided substantially by the efforts of the investigators in Louisiana's Elections Compliance Unit (ECU), as a result of our official review of Emmanuel Zanders III following the 2020 federal election," said Ardoin. “Our investigators were alerted to Mr. Zanders' activities by the Tangipahoa Registrar of Voters, and we quickly developed information that led to his arrest and a guilty plea deal that mandated his resignation from the Amite City Council in January of 2021. I remain committed to keeping Louisiana free of corruption in the voting process and ensuring that our elections are fair, safe, accurate and free of disruption by corrupt actors."

The Louisiana Elections Compliance Unit is charged with investigating and reporting matters involving violations of the Louisiana election code. The unit is composed of law enforcement officers with statewide jurisdiction. The unit conducts investigations that involve voter fraud, vote buying and voter intimidation during early voting, absentee-by-mail voting and Election Day voting. In addition, the unit also investigates allegations of persons providing false or misleading information to a registrar or to a commissioner during the registration or voting process, working closely with district attorneys and local law enforcement officials around the state.

Complaints involving violations of the election code should be reported to the unit at 1.800.722.5305.

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​LOUISIANA DEPARTMENT OF STATE RECEIVES 2022 NASS IDEAS AWARD

July 12, 2022
​

BATON ROUGE, La.—The Louisiana Department of State was the recipient of the 2022 National Association of Secretaries of State Innovation, Dedication, Excellence and Achievement in Service Award at the 2022 NASS Summer Conference in Baton Rouge. Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin accepted the award for Louisiana's submission, the Operation Geaux Vote Task Force.

“I am honored to accept this award on behalf of members of the Operation Geaux Vote Task Force, our Department of State staff, Clerks of Court, Registrars of Voters, and election commissioners who helped successfully execute the 2020 and 2021 statewide elections in Louisiana," Secretary Ardoin said. “They did so in the face of extraordinary challenges during a global pandemic and the aftermath of major hurricanes which upended their own lives and the lives of the citizens they serve. I could not be more proud of their work, dedication, and service."

Louisiana, Iowa and Colorado were finalists for the IDEAS Award. Louisiana was selected as the award recipient by NASS member secretaries after a video presentation by Operation Geaux Vote Task Force Co-Chairs Brad Manuel and Catherine Newsome.

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​QUALIFYING PROCEDURES FOR NOVEMBER 8 ELECTION

July 12, 2022​

BATON ROUGE, La. — Qualifying for the November 8 Open Congressional Primary election will be held from Wednesday, July 20 through Friday, July 22 from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

​Local and municipal candidates qualify with the clerk of court in the parish in which they are registered to vote. All candidates for state and federal office will qualify at the Louisiana State Archives located at 3851 Essen Lane in Baton Rouge. Hours of operation for the secretary of state are 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. daily. Candidates are encouraged to check with their local clerk of court for specific parish hours.

Pursuant to Act 312 of the 2020 Regular Session and Act 35 of the 2022 Regular Session, qualifying candidates will be required to provide an email address and present a valid Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana identification card. For more information on qualifying, visit the secretary of state's website at www.sos.la.gov.

- www.sos.la.gov -

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SECRETARY ARDOIN RESPONDS TO SUPREME COURT ORDER

June 28, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin addressed the order granting a stay by the United States Supreme Court in Ardoin v. Robinson, allowing the congressional district maps enacted by the Louisiana Legislature to be used in the fall 2022 elections.

​"The primary function of the Secretary of State is to ensure elections are conducted in a secure and equitable manner. We work hard, year-round, to guarantee that Louisiana's elections run effectively and securely. Today's ruling by the United States Supreme Court gives us the ability to continue working to implement secure elections this fall for all voters in Louisiana."

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SECRETARY ARDOIN ISSUES STATEMENT REGARDING LEGISLATION PASSED DURING 2022 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION

June 8, 2022 ​

BATON ROUGE, La. —Following the conclusion of the 2022 Regular Session of the Louisiana Legislature earlier this week, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin issues the following update on the Department of State's legislative package:

“I am grateful to the legislature for passing legislation included in our agency's legislative package, and I am especially thankful to the members who carried these bills and worked so hard to ensure their passage. I call on Governor Edwards to swiftly sign these bills into law so that we can continue to improve upon our stellar election integrity measures," Ardoin said.

​Bills that were part of the department's package include:

• HB 178 by Representative Debbie Villio—A proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit individuals other than American and Louisiana citizens from voting in state and local elections (as a proposed constitutional amendment, this instrument does not require the signature of the governor and will be placed on the statewide ballot on December 10, 2022).
• HB 35 by Representative Les Farnum—A bill to provide for a supplemental annual canvass.
• HB 671 by Representative Rick Edmonds—A bill to provide for additional requirements in the voting machine testing process (this bill is part of a package of recommendations from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's March 9, 2022 report on election integrity procedures within the Department of State).
• HB 924 by Representative Rick Edmonds—A bill to provide for the post-election tabulation audits of paper records, including absentee ballots (this bill is part of a package of recommendations from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's March 9, 2022 report on election integrity procedures within the Department of State).
• HB 1074 by Representative Rick Edmonds—A bill to require the Secretary of State to promulgate rules related to the curing of absentee ballots (this bill is part of a package of recommendations from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor's March 9, 2022 report on election integrity procedures within the Department of State).
• HB 357 by Representative Sam Jenkins—A bill that clarifies rules informing voters about changes to polling places.
• HB 423 by Representative Buddy Mincey—A bill that requires public school governing authorities to provide high school seniors the opportunity to register to vote.
• SB 369 by Senator Jimmy Harris—A bill that provides for a pay raise for election commissioners and members of parish boards of election supervisors.
• SB 144 by Senator Robert Mills—A bill that clarifies rules related to the hand-delivery of absentee ballots.
  
   
  
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SECRETARY ARDOIN RESPONDS TO 5^TH CIRCUIT REDISTRICTING RULING

​June 13, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin addressed the ruling entered by the 5^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals regarding the proposed congressional district maps passed during the Louisiana Legislature's 2022 First Extraordinary Session.

"We have received the decision by a three judge panel of the 5^th Circuit Court of Appeals lifting the stay of Judge Shelly Dick's preliminary injunction and we are determining our next course of action.  While I strongly disagree with the ruling of the panel, as Secretary of State I am obligated to comply with federal and state law, including Judge Dick's injunction as long as it remains in effect," said Ardoin. "I also remain committed that my office will do everything in our power to administer fair and equitable elections for all Louisiana voters in 2022."

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SECRETARY ARDOIN RESPONDS TO REDISTRICTING RULING

 June 6, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin addressed the ruling entered by the U.S. Middle District of Louisiana regarding the proposed congressional district maps passed during the 2022 First Extraordinary Session of the Louisiana State Legislature.

​“The Department of State's legal team and I are reviewing the ruling entered by Judge Shelly Dick this afternoon. Our office has filed a Notice of Appeal to the Fifth Circuit along with the other named parties in the original action. The Louisiana Department of State does not comment on pending litigation."

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STATEMENT FROM SECRETARY ARDOIN ON THE PASSAGE OF HB 178

June 3, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin released the following statement regarding the passage of HB 178 by Representative Debbie Villio:

“I am thankful that the legislature passed HB 178 by Representative Debbie Villio with overwhelming, bipartisan support. This proposed constitutional amendment will further ensure that our elections remain fair, accurate and transparent by enshrining in our state's cornerstone document that only American and Louisiana citizens may vote in our state and local elections. I am grateful to Representative Villio and Senator Mizell for their work on this legislation."

The proposed constitutional amendment will be on the ballot for all Louisiana voters during the December 10 election.

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IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES FOR RESCHEDULED SULPHUR CITY COUNCIL DISTRICT 2 ELECTION

May 2, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding everyone that Saturday, June 4, 2022 is Election Day for the rescheduled City of Sulphur District 2 Primary Election.

In preparation for the election, Secretary Ardoin encourages voters to remember:

• The deadline to register to vote in person, by mail or at the OMV office is Wednesday, May 4. The deadline to register through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is Saturday, May 14.
  
• Early voting will take place Saturday, May 21 through Saturday, May 28 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., excluding Sunday, May 22.
• The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, May 31 by 4:30 p.m. Voted absentee ballots must be returned to the parish registrar of voters office by Friday, June 3 at 4:30 p.m.
• Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
• Voters can find their polling location and sample ballot by downloading the GeauxVote Mobile app for smartphones or by visiting www.GeauxVote.com.
• Voters may also utilize the virtual voter assistant, GeauxBot, to access pertinent election information. GeauxBot is accessible by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.
• Voters can sign up for text alerts via GeauxVote Mobile.
• Voters should bring an ID with them to vote (Louisiana driver's license, Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport or a digital license via LA Wallet). Voters without an ID will be required to fill out an affidavit but will be allowed to vote.
• Election results can be viewed in real-time via GeauxVote Mobile or at www.sos.la.gov. 
  
  For more information, please contact our Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.
  
   
  
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ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES FOR THE APRIL 30 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION

​​March 30, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters of the upcoming absentee ballot deadlines for the April 30 Municipal General Election.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, April 26 by 4:30 p.m. Requests can be made online by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov and selecting “Request Absentee Ballot," or in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office. Voters who have requested but not yet received an absentee ballot may check their absentee ballot status by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov, entering the appropriate voter information and selecting “Check Absentee Ballot Status."

The deadline to return a completed ballot is Friday, April 29 by 4:30 pm. This instructional video shows step-by-step how to properly fill out and return an absentee ballot. Completed ballots can be returned to the parish Registrar of Voters by mail, in-person by the voter or by a voter's immediate family member. Should a voter be unable to meet an absentee ballot deadline, they can still vote in-person on Election Day. Polling locations can also be found on voterportal.sos.la.gov or on the free GeauxVote mobile app.

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov

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EARLY VOTING BEGINS APRIL 16 FOR THE APRIL 30 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION​

March 30, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters that early voting for the April 30 Municipal General Election begins Saturday, April 16, and continues through Saturday, April 23 (excluding Sunday, April 17) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. 

Voters are encouraged to utilize Louisiana's award-winning, free smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate parish early voting locations, Election Day voting site, or view their sample ballot. GeauxBot, the virtual voter assistant, is also available to access pertinent election information such as registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, and hours. GeauxBot is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.

In addition to a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana Special ID or a generally recognized ID with picture and signature, voters may use a digital license via LA Wallet.

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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ELECTION DAY REMINDERS​

March 30, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding everyone that Saturday, April 30, 2022 is Election Day for the Municipal General Election.

In preparation for the election, Secretary Ardoin encourages voters to remember:

• Early voting will take place Saturday, April 16 through Saturday, April 23, excluding Sunday, April 17.
• The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, April 26 by 4:30 p.m. Voted absentee ballots must be returned to the parish registrar of voters office by Friday, April 29 at 4:30 p.m.
• Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. on Election Day. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
• Voters can find their polling location and sample ballot by downloading the GeauxVote Mobile app for smartphones or by visiting www.GeauxVote.com.
• Voters may also utilize the virtual voter assistant, GeauxBot, to access pertinent election information. GeauxBot is accessible by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.
• Voters can sign up for text alerts via GeauxVote Mobile.
• Voters should bring an ID with them to vote (Louisiana driver's license, Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport or a digital license via LA Wallet). Voters without an ID will be required to fill out an affidavit but will be allowed to vote.
• Election results can be viewed in real-time via GeauxVote Mobile or at www.sos.la.gov. 
  

​​VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES FOR THE APRIL 30 MUNICIPAL GENERAL ELECTION​

March 30, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding Louisianians that the deadlines to register to vote in the April 30 Municipal General Election are fast approaching. The in-person or by mail registration deadline is Wednesday, March 30, and the deadline for registering through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is Saturday, April 9. These deadlines are for citizens who have never registered to vote as well as voters who would like to make changes to their registration.

Citizens may check their registration or register to vote online at www.GeauxVote.com; at their parish's Registrar of Voters Office; while obtaining services at the Office of Motor Vehicles, public assistance agencies, public schools, colleges and libraries; or by mail. Louisianians can also utilize the GeauxVote Mobile smartphone app to access registration, ballot and polling place information.

After registering, voters should download the GeauxVote Mobile smartphone app. The app provides registration information as well as voting districts, sample ballots, polling place information and election results.

Early voting for the April 30 election is scheduled for Saturday, April 16 through Saturday, April 23 (excluding Sunday, April 17), from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information about the Secretary of State's Elections Division, visit www.GeauxVote.com or call 225.922.0900.

- www.sos.la.gov -

BATON ROUGE, La. — Pursuant to House Concurrent Resolution 81 of the 2021 Regular Legislative Session, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor conducted an audit of the Louisiana Department of State’s policies, procedures, and practices regarding the integrity of elections in Louisiana to provide assurance as to whether the elections process in Louisiana is sufficient to provide for the integrity and security of all elections held within the state.

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin issued the following statement on the release of the Legislative Auditor’s report on election integrity in Louisiana:

“I am extremely pleased at the findings of the Legislative Auditor’s report that reaffirms Louisiana’s stringent election integrity practices which keep our elections safe, secure, fair and accurate. I am thankful for the thoughtful and diligent work of the Auditor’s staff over the last year as they delved into our practices and worked with my staff to produce this report. I am most proud of Louisiana’s team of election professionals at every level, who work tirelessly to ensure that our elections are a model for the rest of the country. ”

Key findings in the report include:

● 77 out of 79 responsive Clerks of Court and Registrars of Voters rated Louisiana’s election integrity as “excellent” (63) or “good” (14).

● Many of the Auditor’s suggested revisions to the Louisiana Election Code have been or are being pursued by the Department of State, including introducing an auditable paper trail in Louisiana’s voting system and holding a second annual voter canvass to ensure the accuracy of the state’s voter registration list.

● The Department of State takes reports of voter fraud seriously, having seen the prosecution and conviction of four individuals since 2017.

Louisiana has been ranked 7^thin the nation by the Heritage Foundation and 12^thin the nation (including being ranked 1^stin the south) by the Electoral Integrity Project for election integrity.

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​ELECTION DAY REMINDERS​

​March 15, 2022

EARLY VOTING BEGINS MARCH 12 FOR THE MARCH 26 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION

March 11, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters that early voting for the  March 26 Municipal Primary Election begins Saturday, March 12, and continues through Saturday, March 19 (excluding Sunday, March 13) from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. 

Voters are encouraged to utilize Louisiana's award-winning, free smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate parish early voting locations, Election Day voting site, or view their sample ballot. GeauxBot, the virtual voter assistant, is also available to access pertinent election information such as registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, and hours. GeauxBot is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.

In addition to a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana Special ID or a generally recognized ID with picture and signature, voters may use a digital license via LA Wallet.

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.​

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ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES FOR THE MARCH 26 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY ELECTION

March 8, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters of the upcoming absentee ballot deadlines for the March 26 Municipal Primary Election. 

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, March 22 by 4:30 p.m. Requests can be made online by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov and selecting “Request Absentee Ballot," or in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office. Voters who have requested but not yet received an absentee ballot may check their absentee ballot status by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov, entering the appropriate voter information and selecting “Check Absentee Ballot Status."

The deadline to return a completed ballot is Friday, March 25 by 4:30 pm. This instructional video shows step-by-step how to properly fill out and return an absentee ballot. Completed ballots can be returned to the parish Registrar of Voters by mail, in-person by the voter or by a voter's immediate family member. Should a voter be unable to meet an absentee ballot deadline, they can still vote in-person on Election Day. Polling locations can also be found on voterportal.sos.la.gov or on the free GeauxVote mobile app.

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov

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VOTER REGISTRATION DEADLINES FOR THE MARCH 26 MUNICIPAL PRIMARY​

February 21, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding Louisianians that the deadlines to register to vote in the March 26 Municipal Primary are fast approaching. The in-person or by mail registration deadline is Wednesday, Feb. 23, and the deadline for registering through the GeauxVote Online Registration System is Saturday, March 5. These deadlines are for citizens who have never registered to vote as well as voters who would like to make changes to their registration.

Citizens may check their registration or register to vote online at www.GeauxVote.com; at their parish's Registrar of Voters Office; while obtaining services at the Office of Motor Vehicles, public assistance agencies, public schools, colleges and libraries; or by mail. Louisianians can also utilize the GeauxVote Mobile smartphone app to access registration, ballot and polling place information.

After registering, voters should download the GeauxVote Mobile smartphone app. The app provides registration information as well as voting districts, sample ballots, polling place information and election results.

Early voting for the March 26 election is scheduled for Saturday, March 12 through Saturday, March 19 (excluding Sunday, March 13), from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. For more information about the Secretary of State's Elections Division, visit www.GeauxVote.com or call 225.922.0900.

- www.sos.la.gov -

State Board of Election Supervisors Agenda​

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​QUALIFYING PROCEDURES FOR MARCH 26 ELECTION

January 24, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Qualifying for the March 26 Municipal Primary election will be held from Wednesday, January 26 through Friday, January 28.

All candidates for local municipal races must qualify with their parish clerk of court. Candidates may qualify for office by paying a qualifying fee or by filing a nominating petition, and are encouraged to check with their local clerk of court for specific parish hours. More information, including contact information for parish clerk of court offices, can be found by visiting GeauxVote.com and selecting the Election Qualifying link.

All judicial candidates qualifying for Court of Appeal, 2nd Circuit, 3rd District, Election Section 2C and Court of Appeal, 3rd Circuit, 3rd District, Election Section 1C will qualify at the Secretary of State's office located at 8585 Archives Avenue in Baton Rouge. Hours of operation for the Secretary of State's office are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily. Once qualified, candidates will appear on the Secretary of State's website in real-time on the home page at www.sos.la.gov.

Pursuant to Act 312 of the 2020 Regular Session, qualifying candidates will be required to present a valid Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana identification card. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, candidates are encouraged to wear masks and follow social distancing guidelines. For more information on qualifying, visit the Secretary of State's website at www.sos.la.gov or call (225)922-0900.

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​VOTING SYSTEM COMMISSION DEADLINE SUSPENDED

January 21, 2022​​

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced that Governor John Bel Edwards has issued a proclamation suspending the deadline for the Voting System Commission's final report as a result of Hurricane Ida and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Act 480, the legislation that created the Voting System Commission, was passed and signed into law during the 2021 Regular Legislative Session. The act required the commission to produce a final report recommending a type of voting system to Secretary Ardoin by January 31, 2022.

“As chairman of the Voting System Commission, I am grateful to the governor for suspending the deadline for the report. The Voting System Commission has already had to delay its meetings due to Hurricane Ida and has canceled one meeting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This decision will give the commission the time it needs to hold its final meetings and carefully weigh its decision. The task of recommending a new type of voting system is far too important to rush the process," Ardoin stated.

The commission will vote to recommend a type of voting system after its final meeting this year. All meetings are open to the public.

​For more information about the Voting System Commission, contact John Ryan McGehee in the Communications Office at 225.922.0820 or visit www.GeauxVote.com. If members of the public would like to view recordings of previous meetings, please visit www.senate.la.gov.

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​ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES FOR THE JAN. 15 CATAHOULA POLICE JUROR ELECTION

​January 4, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters of the upcoming absentee ballot deadlines for the Jan. 15 Special General Catahoula Parish Police Juror, Dist. 3 Election.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Jan. 11 by 4:30 p.m. Requests can be made online by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov and selecting “Request Absentee Ballot," or in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office. Voters who have requested but not yet received an absentee ballot may check their absentee ballot status by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov, entering the appropriate voter information and selecting “Check Absentee Ballot Status."

The deadline to return a completed ballot is Friday, Jan. 14 by 4:30 pm. This instructional video shows step-by-step how to properly fill out and return an absentee ballot. Completed ballots can be returned to the parish Registrar of Voters by mail, in-person by the voter or by a voter's immediate family member. Should a voter be unable to meet an absentee ballot deadline, they can still vote in-person on Election Day. Polling locations can also be found on voterportal.sos.la.gov or on the free GeauxVote mobile app.

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov

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​ELECTION DAY REMINDERS

EARLY VOTING BEGINS JAN. 3 FOR THE JAN. 15 SPECIAL CATAHOULA PARISH POLICE JUROR ELECTION​

January 3, 2022

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters that early voting for the  Jan. 15 Special General Catahoula Parish Police Juror, Dist. 3 Election begins Monday, Jan. 3, and continues through Saturday, Jan. 8, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. 

Voters are encouraged to utilize Louisiana's award-winning, free smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate parish early voting locations, Election Day voting site, or view their sample ballot. GeauxBot, the virtual voter assistant, is also available to access pertinent election information such as registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, and hours. GeauxBot is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our polling commissioners will be supplied with personal protective equipment and will regularly sanitize designated areas and wipe down voting machines between each voter. Hand sanitizer will be provided to voters and masks are recommended, although not required.

In addition to a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana Special ID or a generally recognized ID with picture and signature, voters may use a digital license via LA Wallet.

​For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

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​LOUISIANA RANKED IN TOP 10 IN THE NATION FOR ELECTION INTEGRITY

December 20, 2021

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is pleased to announce that Louisiana was ranked in the top 10 states for election integrity by the Heritage Foundation. The 2021 Election Integrity Scorecard, which was released last week, ranks Louisiana seventh in the nation. Scores were calculated from 12 different categories, including voter ID implementation, absentee ballot management, vote counting practices and verification of citizenship.

“Louisiana is among the nation's leaders when it comes to election integrity due to our agency's sound procedures and best practices, along with our team of dedicated civil servants who work incredibly hard to ensure our elections run smoothly," Ardoin said. “While we are proud to be named in the top 10, our goal is perfection, so we will continue working to improve our system. Louisianians deserve the most secure, accurate and transparent elections possible—we strive to make it easy to vote, but hard to cheat."

Ardoin was recently designated as a Certified Elections/Registration Administrator (CERA), the nation's highest professional achievement for election officials. This distinction is earned through a multi-year course conducted by the Election Center's Professional Education Program at Auburn University.

The Heritage Foundation Election Integrity Scorecard compares states' election laws that affect election security and integrity. 

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​ELECTION DAY REMINDERS

December 10, 2021

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding everyone that Saturday, Dec. 11 is Election Day. Certain precincts in 35 parishes will have items on the ballot: Acadia, Allen, Assumption, Avoyelles, Ascension, Beauregard, Bienville, Bossier, Caddo, Calcasieu, Catahoula, Concordia, DeSoto, East Baton Rouge, Grant, Iberia, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Morehouse, Natchitoches, Ouachita, Orleans, Rapides, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Terrebonne, Union, Vernon, Washington, and West Carroll.

In preparation for the election, Secretary Ardoin encourages voters to remember:

• Polls open at 7 a.m. and close at 8 p.m. Anyone in line at 8 p.m. will be allowed to vote.
• Voters can find their polling location and sample ballot by downloading the GeauxVote Mobile app for smartphones or by visiting www.GeauxVote.com.
• Voters may also utilize the virtual voter assistant, GeauxBot, to access pertinent election information. GeauxBot is accessible by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.
• Voters can sign up for text alerts via GeauxVote Mobile.
• Voters should bring an ID with them to vote (Louisiana driver's license, Louisiana Special ID card, a generally recognized picture identification card with name and signature such as a passport or a digital license via LA Wallet). Voters without an ID will be required to fill out an affidavit but will be allowed to vote.
• Election results can be viewed in real-time via GeauxVote Mobile or at www.sos.la.gov. 

All absentee ballots must be returned to the Registrar's office by 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 10. Voters are encouraged to check their polling location and sample ballot by logging into the online voter portal at www.voterportal.sos.la.gov, on the award-winning GeauxVote Mobile app, or by calling the Elections Division hotline at 800.883.2805.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, polling commissioners will be supplied with personal protective equipment and will regularly sanitize designated areas and voting machines between each voter. Hand sanitizer will be provided to voters and masks are recommended, although not required.

​For more information, please contact our Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

- www.sos.la.gov -

Dec. 7, 2021

BATON ROUGE, La. —Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin's office will test its electronic election results system ahead of the upcoming Dec. 11 election on Tuesday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. During the test period, mock results will be displayed on the secretary of state's website. These election results are only for testing purposes and do not reflect any actual results.

Media outlets are strongly urged to test their election night broadcast systems, graphics and websites in conjunction with our testing so that any technical issues can be identified and remedied with assistance from the Secretary of State's IT staff prior to election night. In an effort to combat misinformation, we urge outlets to put banners on their websites showing their readers/viewers that the results are only test results and not official.

In preparation for election night, media outlets should reserve their seat at the Secretary of State's office if they are interested in watching results via our Elections Registration Information Network. This seat can also serve as a backup for your election night plans.

If any issues are encountered, to sign up for the XML feed or to reserve a seat at ERIN, please contact Kaylee Trisler in the Communications Office at 225.362.5086 or kaylee.trisler@sos.la.gov.

Finally, the Communications Office for Election Day will be staffed by Deputy Secretary, Communications John W. Tobler and Public Information Officer Kaylee Trisler. Tobler can be reached at 225.362.5111 (office) or john.tobler@sos.la.gov. Trisler can be reached at the information listed above.

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ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES FOR THE DEC. 11 ELECTION

November 30, 2021

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters of the upcoming absentee ballot deadlines for the Dec. 11 election.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Dec. 7 by 4:30 p.m. Requests can be made online by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov and selecting “Request Absentee Ballot," or in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office. Voters who have requested but not yet received an absentee ballot may check their absentee ballot status by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov, entering the appropriate voter information and selecting “Check Absentee Ballot Status."

The deadline to return a completed ballot is Friday, Dec. 10 by 4:30 pm. This instructional video shows step-by-step how to properly fill out and return an absentee ballot. Completed ballots can be returned to the parish Registrar of Voters by mail, in-person by the voter or by a voter's immediate family member. Should a voter be unable to meet an absentee ballot deadline, they can still vote in-person on Election Day. Polling locations can also be found on voterportal.sos.la.gov or on the free GeauxVote mobile app.

Voters relying on mail service are encouraged to request, fill out and return their absentee ballots to their parish Registrar of Voters office right away.  

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov

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EARLY VOTING BEGINS NOV. 27 FOR THE DEC. 11 ELECTION

November 24, 2021

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters that early voting for the Dec. 11 election begins Saturday, Nov. 27, and continues through Saturday, Dec. 4, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, excluding Sunday, Nov. 28. Citizens who want to vote early may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters Office or at other designated locations. 

• 7 parishes will have local propositions and candidate races: Ascension, Bossier, Catahoula, East Baton Rouge, Iberia, Orleans and Rapides.
• 26 parishes will only have local propositions: Acadia, Allen, Assumption, Avoyelles, Beauregard, Bienville, Caddo, Calcasieu, Concordia, DeSoto, Grant, Jefferson, Lafourche, Livingston, Morehouse, Natchitoches, St. Helena, St. Landry, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Terrebonne, Union, Washington, and West Carroll.
• 1 parish will only have candidate races: Vernon.
• 1 parish will have a local proposition and a recall election: Ouachita.
• 29 parishes will have no elections: Caldwell, Cameron, Claiborne, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Franklin, Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, LaSalle, Lincoln, Madison, Plaquemines, Pointe Coupee, Red River, Richland, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John, St. Martin, Vermilion, Webster, West Baton Rouge, West Feliciana, and Winn.

Voters are encouraged to utilize Louisiana's award-winning, free smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate parish early voting locations, Election Day voting site, or view their sample ballot. GeauxBot, the virtual voter assistant, is also available to access pertinent election information such as registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, and hours. GeauxBot is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our polling commissioners will be supplied with personal protective equipment and will regularly sanitize designated areas and wipe down voting machines between each voter. Hand sanitizer will be provided to voters and masks are recommended, although not required.

In addition to a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana Special ID or a generally recognized ID with picture and signature, voters may use a digital license via LA Wallet.​

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

sos.la.gov

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Nov. 9, 2021

BATON ROUGE, La. —Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin's office will test its electronic election results system ahead of the upcoming Nov. 13 election on Tuesday, Nov. 9 at 2 p.m. During the test period, mock results will be displayed on the secretary of state's website. These election results are only for testing purposes and do not reflect any actual results.

Media outlets are strongly urged to test their election night broadcast systems, graphics and websites in conjunction with our testing so that any technical issues can be identified and remedied with assistance from the secretary of state's IT staff prior to election night. In an effort to combat misinformation, we urge outlets to put banners on their websites showing their readers/viewers that the results are only test results and not official.

In preparation for election night, media outlets should reserve their seat at the Secretary of State's Office if they are interested in watching results via our Elections Registration Information Network. This seat can also serve as a backup for your election night plans.

If any issues are encountered, to sign up for the XML feed or to reserve a seat at ERIN, please contact Kaylee Trisler in the Communications Office at 225.362.5086 or kaylee.trisler@sos.la.gov.​

Finally, the Communications Office for Election Day will be staffed by Deputy Secretary, Communications John W. Tobler and Public Information Officer Kaylee Trisler. Tobler can be reached at 225.362.5111 (office) or john.tobler@sos.la.gov. Trisler can be reached at the information listed above.

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ABSENTEE BALLOT DEADLINES FOR THE NOV. 13 ELECTION​

November 2, 2021

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters of the upcoming absentee ballot deadlines for the Nov. 13 election.

The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Tuesday, Nov. 9 by 4:30 p.m. Requests can be made online by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov and selecting “Request Absentee Ballot," or in person at the parish Registrar of Voters office. Voters who have requested but not yet received an absentee ballot may check their absentee ballot status by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov, entering the appropriate voter information and selecting “Check Absentee Ballot Status."

The deadline to return a completed ballot is Friday, Nov. 12 by 4:30 pm. This instructional video shows step-by-step how to properly fill out and return an absentee ballot. Completed ballots can be returned to the parish Registrar of Voters by mail, in-person by the voter or by a voter's immediate family member. Should a voter be unable to meet an absentee ballot deadline, they can still vote in-person on Election Day. Polling locations can also be found on voterportal.sos.la.gov or on the free GeauxVote mobile app.

Absentee ballots that were requested or received prior to the governor's proclamation to reschedule fall elections will still count for the Nov. 13 election. Voters relying on mail service are encouraged to request, fill out and return their absentee ballots to their parish Registrar of Voters office right away.  

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov

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SECRETARY ARDOIN ANNOUNCES NEW EARLY VOTING SITE​

October 25, 2021

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is announcing a new, temporary early voting site in New Orleans. The new, temporary site will be at the LSU Health Sciences Center, located at 2020 Gravier Street. The site features ample free parking for voters.

“Due to the lingering effects of COVID-19, and in an effort to provide for adequate social distancing for New Orleans voters, we are temporarily holding early voting at the LSU Health Sciences Center in addition to our other early voting sites," Secretary Ardoin said. “I thank the staff at LSU HSC and Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters Dr. Sandra Wilson for their help in securing this site, and for working with our team so closely."

​Early voting runs 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., from October 30 through November 6 for the November 13 primary election, and from November 27 through December 4 for the December 11 general election. Both early voting periods will exclude Sundays.  

For more information, contact our Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

- www.sos.la.gov -

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EARLY VOTING BEGINS OCT. 30 FOR THE NOV. 13 ELECTION

 October 25, 2021​

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding voters that early voting for the Nov. 13 election begins Saturday, Oct. 30, and continues through Saturday, Nov. 6, excluding Sunday, Oct. 31. Citizens who want to early vote may do so in person at their parish Registrar of Voters office or at other designated locations.

• 12 parishes will vote in local races and on propositions and Constitutional Amendments: Bossier, Calcasieu, East Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lafourche, Morehouse, Orleans, Ouachita, St. Landry, St. Tammany, Vernon, and Washington.

• 7 parishes will vote in local races and on Constitutional Amendments: Ascension, Avoyelles, Caddo, Catahoula, Iberia, Rapides, and Richland.
• 24 parishes will vote on local propositions and Constitutional Amendments: Acadia, Allen, Assumption, Beauregard, Bienville, Claiborne, Evangeline, Franklin, Grant, Jefferson, Lincoln, Madison, Plaquemines, Sabine, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. John, St. Martin, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Union, Vermilion, West Carroll, and West Feliciana.
• 21 parishes will only vote on Constitutional Amendments: Caldwell, Cameron, Concordia, DeSoto, East Carroll, East Feliciana, Iberville, Jackson, Jefferson Davis, LaSalle, Livingston, Natchitoches, Pointe Coupee, Red River, St. Helena, St. James, Tangipahoa, Tensas, Webster, West Baton Rouge, and Winn.

Secretary Ardoin is also pleased to announce a new, temporary early voting site in New Orleans. The new, temporary site will be at the LSU Health Sciences Center, located at 433 Bolivar Street at the corner of Gravier and Bolivar. The site features ample free parking for voters. More information on this site is forthcoming.

Voters are encouraged to utilize Louisiana's free, award-winning smartphone app, GeauxVote Mobile, to locate parish early voting locations, Election Day voting site, or view their sample ballot. GeauxBot, the virtual voter assistant, is also available to access pertinent election information such as registration deadlines, election dates, polling locations, and hours. GeauxBot is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by visiting voterportal.sos.la.gov or by selecting Elections and Voting on sos.la.gov.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, polling commissioners will be supplied with personal protective equipment and will regularly sanitize designated areas and wipe down voting machines between each voter. Hand sanitizer will be provided to voters and masks are recommended, although not required.

In addition to a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana Special ID or a generally recognized ID with picture and signature, voters may use a digital license via LA Wallet.

For more information, contact the Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

-sos.la.gov-

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IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES FOR RESCHEDULED FALL 2021 ELECTIONS

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is reminding Louisianans of fast-approaching dates and registration deadlines for the Nov. 13 election. In preparation for the fall elections, which were rescheduled to Nov. 13 and Dec. 11 due to Hurricane Ida, Secretary Ardoin encourages voters to remember the following dates and deadlines:

Additionally, several polling locations have changed due to damage from Hurricane Ida. Voters in areas affected by Hurricane Ida are encouraged to check their polling location by logging into the online voter portal at www.voterportal.sos.la.gov, on the award-winning GeauxVote Mobile app, or by calling the Elections Division hotline at 800.883.2805. ​

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, our polling commissioners will be supplied with personal protective equipment and will regularly sanitize designated areas and voting machines between each voter. Hand sanitizer will be provided to voters and masks are recommended, although not required.

For more information, please contact our Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov.

- www.sos.la.gov -

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October 19, 2021

SECRETARY ARDOIN ANNOUNCES RESCHEDULED VOTING SYSTEM COMMISSION DATE​

BATON ROUGE, La. — Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced today the rescheduled first meeting of the Voting System Commission will occur at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, November 17. The meeting will take place at the State Capitol in Baton Rouge. 

“After being delayed by Hurricane Ida, I'm pleased that we are beginning this important work with a diverse group of dedicated citizens from around the state," Ardoin said. “I look forward to hearing from experts and members of the public on how to best advance Louisiana's voting system."

The November 17 meeting is open to the public and will be held in the John Hainkel Senate Committee Room.

- www.sos.la.gov -

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September 20, 2021

SECRETARY ARDOIN TO TRAVEL TO AREAS IMPACTED BY HURRICANE IDA​

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced that he will visit several parishes in South Louisiana that were affected by Hurricane Ida, beginning Tuesday, September 21 and ending Thursday, September 23.

“Our communities were ravaged by Hurricane Ida. The storm might have passed, but we still have work to do getting some of our operations and facilities back in working order," Ardoin said. “I want to hear directly from our local officials about what remains to be done to get our Registrar of Voters and Clerk of Court offices, early voting locations and Election Day polling places ready for the fall elections on November 13."

Secretary Ardoin will be traveling to 10 of the parishes affected by Hurricane Ida. His tentative schedule is as follows::

Tuesday, September 21

• Orleans Parish Criminal District Courthouse, Orleans Parish, 10 a.m.
• Lafitte Town Hall, Jefferson Parish, 11:30 a.m.
• St. Charles Emergency Operations Center Office, St. Charles Parish, 1:30 p.m.
• Edgard Courthouse, St. John the Baptist Parish, 3 p.m.
• St. James Parish Warehouse, 4 p.m.

Wednesday, September 22

• St. Helena Clerk of Court, St. Helena Parish, 10 a.m.
• Amite Courthouse, Tangipahoa Parish, 11:30 a.m.
• St. Tammany Justice Center, St. Tammany Parish, 2 p.m.

Thursday, September 23

• Matthews Government Complex, Lafourche Parish, 10 a.m.
• Terrebonne Parish Government Tower, Terrebonne Parish, 1 p.m.

For press availability, please contact Kaylee Trisler at 225.362.5086 or kaylee.trisler@sos.la.gov.

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​Executive Order 2021 JBE 13 Rescheduling Fall Elections​

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SECRETARY OF STATE ARDOIN ANNOUNCES RESCHEDULING OF FALL 2021 ELECTIONS

September 8, 2021

Baton Rouge, LA – Today, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced that Governor John Bel Edwards has agreed with his recommendation to reschedule the fall 2021 elections in light of the devastation brought on by Hurricane Ida. 

“I am thankful that the Governor has recognized the importance of our recommendation to move the October 9 election to November 13 and the November 13 election to December 11," Secretary Ardoin said. “This will allow our staff and local partners more time to properly prepare for a statewide election while ensuring the integrity of our election processes and that our voters' traditional voting habits are as undisturbed as possible."

Further announcements including an emergency certification and election-related deadlines are forthcoming.

-sos.la.gov-​