Voting While Trans in Louisiana

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.

Dates and Deadlines:

Deadline to register to vote in person or by mail: Oct. 18, 2023
Deadine to register online: Oct. 28, 2023
Deadline to request an absentee ballot: Nov. 14, 2023 by 4:30 p.m.
Deadline for your registrar to receive your absentee ballot: Nov. 17, 2023 by 4:30 p.m.
Election Day: Nov. 18, 2023

Election Protection Hotlines:
English: 866-OUR-VOTE
Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA
Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE
Arabic: 844-YALLA-US

Election Overview:

This election season, we’ll elect our next Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, and Secretary of State. Among state court judges and Board of Education officials, every seat in the State Senate and State House of Representatives will be on the ballot. You can track every candidate for every race on the Secretary of State’s Voter Portal.

As we all know, just because someone qualifies to run for office, it doesn’t mean they’re qualified to hold that office. That’s where you, the voter, come in. Below is helpful information about registering to vote, election deadlines and dates, polling locations, and specific information for voters who are formerly incarcerated and voters who identify as trans or gender non-conforming.

Download the guide for Louisiana poll commissioners

1. Can I vote?

A.Can I vote?

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!
Also, anyone who’s on probation or parole AND has been out of prison for five years can vote. Check out this video from our friends at VOTE for more information.

2. How do I register or update my registration?

A.How do I register or update my registration?

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. How do I request an Absentee Ballot?

A.How do I request an Absentee Ballot?

Print and Mail Application: Print an application and deliver it to your parish’s registrar of voters by mail, fax, or hand deliver your application. If hand delivered, the application can only be for you or your immediate family member. The immediate family member must sign a statement, certifying their relationship to you.
Requests for an absentee ballot must be received by Nov. 14, 2023 by 4:30 p.m.

4. How do I vote?

A.How do I vote?

Vote by Mail:
- Mail your absentee ballot to your parish’s registrar of voters as soon as you can. It must be received by the registrar by Nov. 17, 2023 by 4:30 p.m. If you don’t receive your absentee ballot in time for send it in on time, please vote on Election Day.
Early voting is Nov. 3 through Nov. 11 (excluding Sunday, Nov. 5 and Friday Nov. 10 for Veterans Day) from 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m

Election Day: Election day is Nov. 18, 2023. Polls are open from 7:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. CST. All voters in line by 8:00 p.m. CST have the right to vote. To find your polling place, log on to the Louisiana Voter Portal.

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

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

ID if you have one (but you can legally vote without an 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, if you prefer
Your sample ballot and a good idea of how you’ll vote on the issues.
- State law provides a 6 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!

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

If issues persist, please show them the “Information for Poll Commissioners" guide.
There may be an election protection monitor at your polling place whom you can ask for assistance.
If no one is around:
- 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.