What to know on Election Day in Louisiana
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After months of campaigning, with street corners filled with signs and endless text messages vying for your attention, Election Day is finally here.
Why it matters: Louisiana will pick a new senator and tap U.S. House representation Tuesday, along with selections in other statewide and local matters.
The intrigue: While this midterm election cycle has lent national attention to our neighbors (see Senate races in Texas and Mississippi), Louisiana's own have been a little quieter in comparison.
- But that does not mean these races are without consequence.
- In the Senate race, Louisiana could elect the first Black man to hold statewide office since Reconstruction in Jamie Davis. Or, voters could tap President Trump ally Republican Rep. Julia Letlow, even while that affiliation has proved dicey elsewhere this cycle.
- If re-elected, Rep. Troy Carter could become the Congressional Black Caucus leader.
By the numbers: More than 530,000 early voters have already cast their ballots in Louisiana. That's more than the 2022 midterms, but less than the 975,000 in 2024, a presidential election year, according to Secretary of State numbers released Monday.
- Most early voters this year were Democrats, who outpaced early voting Republicans by more than 17,000.
- An additional 94,330 no-party voters also cast ballots.
Between the lines: A little more than 34% of early voters this year were Black, notes pollster John Couvillon, which he calls an indicator of "robust enthusiasm" among Democrats. That's some of the highest Black turnout in recent years, he notes, "other than perhaps 2008."
- "Independents are more strongly favoring Democrats than in the past, so that combined with disgruntled Republicans makes for what I think will be a competitive U.S. Senate race," he adds.
- In other words, should people be paying more attention to the Davis v. Letlow fight? Couvillon didn't equivocate: "Yes."
Be smart: Here's your voting guide for the 2026 midterms in Louisiana.
- This is an explainer on New Orleans' charter amendment.
- See your full sample ballot through Geaux Vote.
- Polls are open Tuesday from 6am to 8pm.
What we're watching: Suspicious letters containing white powder landed in congressional lawmakers' offices and election offices nationwide a couple of weeks ago, including Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry's office.
- The disruptions were short-lived, but they raised concerns over political intimidation.
- "While we won't publicly discuss every security measure, that doesn't mean those measures aren't in place," says Trey Williams, a spokesman for Landry's office.
The bottom line: "Voters should feel confident about going to the polls," Williams says.