Developed by the ACLU of Louisiana and Louisiana Trans Advocates

According to the Williams Institute, 58% of Louisiana’s transgender population were at risk of facing barriers to voting in the 2020 presidential election. We have compiled some of the most common issues faced by transgender people at the polls, along with resources to help you vote comfortably and confidently in Louisiana.

Deadlines for rescheduled 2021 fall elections in Louisiana: 

***The elections that would have been held on October 9 will now be held on November 13 and the general elections for run-offs that would have been held on November 13 will now be held on December 11. 

  • The deadline to register to vote in person or by mail is Oct. 13.
  • The deadline to register to vote online is Oct. 23.
  • Early voting is Oct. 30 through Nov. 6 (excluding Sunday, Oct. 31) from 8:30 AM – 6 PM.
  • The deadline to request an absentee ballot is Nov. 9 by 4:30 PM. You can request an absentee ballot online through the Secretary of State’s Voter Portal or in writing through your Registrar of Voters Office (excluding military and overseas voters).
  • The deadline for a registrar of voters to receive a voted absentee ballot is Nov. 12 by 4:30 PM (other than military and overseas voters).
  • Election Day is Nov. 13.

Download the guide for Louisiana poll commissioners

1. Can I vote?

Q.Can I vote?
A.
  • If you are 18 or older by Election Day, reside in Louisiana and in the parish where you’re registered, and not in prison for conviction of a felony, you can vote!
  • Anyone who is on probation or parole and has been out of prison for five years can vote. 

2. How do I register or update my registration?

Q.How do I register or update my registration?
A.
  • Use this online application to register or update your registration.
  • Once you have completed the application, you can print and mail your application to your parish’s registrar of voters.
  • If you’re verified by the Office of Motor Vehicles, you can submit your application electronically. To submit electronically, you must have your Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana special ID card in hand when you begin the process. There is an audit code (a four digit number labeled AUDIT on the front of the license) that you must enter.

3. Can I vote by mail?

Q.Can I vote by mail?
A.

4. What do I need to bring to the polls?

Q.What do I need to bring to the polls?
A.
  • Bring your photo ID
    • You may use a Louisiana driver’s license, a Louisiana special identification card*, LA Wallet, a United States military identification card that contains the applicant's name and picture or other recognized ID that has your name and signature. 
    • You can request a La. special ID card from your local Office of Motor Vehicles. Even if you misplace your special ID card, you may print a new one by logging into the Voter Portal or requesting one from your parish’s registrar of voters.
    • Even if you don’t have ID with you, you can vote by signing a voter affidavit. 
  • Face covering
  • Your sample ballot and a good idea of how you’ll vote on the issues. 
    • State law provides a 3 minute time limit in the voting booth, and 20 minutes for voters requiring assistance due to a disability. Make sure to review your sample ballot ahead of time and plan your vote!

5. Do I need to reregister to vote if I have legally changed my name?

Q.Do I need to reregister to vote if I have legally changed my name?
A.
  • For the smoothest in-person voting experience, you should update your registration and file proof of your legal name change with your parish’s registrar of voters. 
  • If you have legally changed your name since registering to vote but it is too late to update your voter registration to reflect this change, you should bring proof of your legal name change (e.g., a court order) to the polls.
  • If the poll worker persists, ask for a “provisional” ballot.

6. What if the name I used for voter registration and the name found on my ID do not match?

Q.What if the name I used for voter registration and the name found on my ID do not match?
A.

In Louisiana, when you change the name on your ID, your voter registration should update, too.   

7. What if my current gender presentation doesn’t match the gender marker or presentation shown on my photo ID?

Q.What if my current gender presentation doesn’t match the gender marker or presentation shown on my photo ID?
A.

Gender identity or presentation has no impact on your constitutional right to vote. There is no requirement that the picture or gender on your photo ID match your current gender presentation. 

8. What do I do if the poll worker doesn’t think I look like the person on my ID?

Q.What do I do if the poll worker doesn’t think I look like the person on my ID?
A.
  • If issues persist, please show them the “Information for Poll Workers" guide. 
  • There may be an election protection monitor at your polling place whom you can ask for assistance. 
  • If no one is around:
    • File a complaint with the ACLU of Louisiana at intake.laaclu.org. 
    • Call the Election Protection Hotline 
      • English: 1-866-OUR VOTE
      • Spanish: 1-888-839-8682
      • Asian languages: 1-888-274-8683
      • Arabic: 1-844-418-1682
      • ASL (video call): 1-301-818-8683
    • Request a provisional ballot.
      • You must complete the affidavit on the ballot envelope, vote your ballot, place it in the ballot envelope and seal before returning it to the commissioner. The commissioner will give you a ballot stub that has a number that can be used to track the ballot online. Click provisional voter search to check if your provisional ballot was counted.

Documents