Louisiana voters head to the polls in Senate runoffs
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Illustration: Maura Losch/Axios
Louisiana heads to the polls this week for early voting in the state's new closed-party primary system.
Why it matters: These runoffs will determine who will be the Democratic and Republican candidates for U.S. Senate, Public Service Commission and other state and local offices.
The big picture: Early voting ends Saturday. Under the new system, you need to be a registered Republican or Democrat to vote in the primaries.
- If you are a "no party" voter and you cast a ballot in last month's primary, you must stick with the same party for the runoff.
- If you didn't vote in the primary, you can fill out a declaration at the poll and pick a party.
- Election Day is June 27. The winners will face off in November in the general election.
The Republicans: Incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy lost his reelection bid in the primary.
- The race is down to Rep. Julia Letlow, whom President Trump endorsed, and state Treasurer John Fleming.
- Letlow got 45% of the primary vote, while Fleming got 28%, according to results from the secretary of state.
- Republicans also have runoffs for the Public Service Commission and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.
The Democrats: Jamie Davis and Gary Crockett are facing off to be the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate.
- Davis got 47% of the primary vote last month, while Crockett got 26%.
By the numbers: For the Senate races, which were the most high-profile item in the primary, Republicans cast about 401,000 ballots, while Democrats cast about 345,000, according to the SOS's office.
Zoom out: Louisiana rescheduled its U.S. House elections after Gov. Jeff Landry paused the previous cycle to redraw the state's congressional map.
- The Republican-led Legislature passed a new map that removes one of the state's two majority-Black districts. The Baton Rouge seat, currently held by Democrat Cleo Fields, will likely flip Republican.
- The candidates will meet in a jungle primary Nov. 3, the same day as the state's general election. Any runoffs will be Dec. 12, the SOS says.
What's next: Check your sample ballot