Voter Registration Week Underway

Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin is joining registrars of voters across the state this week if Aug. 23-27 to host Voter Registration Week activities aimed at registering Louisiana citizens to vote. This year, the Natchitoches Parish Registrar of Voters Office will hold voter registration events from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. in their office at the Parish Courthouse. “The first step to participating in the electoral process is registering to vote,” Ardoin said. “This fall, Louisianians will choose statewide leaders as well as vote for a host of local and municipal races, constitutional amendments and propositions. Make sure you get registered so you can Geaux Vote on Election Day!” Citizens with a valid Louisiana driver’s license or Louisiana Special ID card can register online 24/7 by visiting https://voterportal.sos.la.gov or when they apply for or renew their driver’s license at any Office of Motor Vehicles or when obtaining services at public assistance agencies and Armed Forces recruitment offices. Citizens wishing to register by mail can download and print the application from GeauxVote.com or complete an application found at public libraries or through registration drives. To register and vote in Louisiana individuals must:

•be a U.S. citizen;

•be at least 17 years old (16 years old if registering in person at the Registrar of Voters Office or at the Office of Motor Vehicles) to register and 18 years old prior to the next election to vote;

•not be under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony or, if under such an order not have been incarcerated pursuant to the order within the last five years and not be under an order of imprisonment related to a felony conviction for election fraud or any other election offense pursuant to La. R.S. 18:1461.2 not be under a judgment of full interdiction for mental incompetence or partial interdiction with suspension of voting rights;

•be a resident in the state and parish in which you seek to register and vote;

•apply at least 20 days prior to an election if registering online or 30 days prior to an election if registering in person or by mail.

The deadline to register to vote in person or by mail is Wednesday, Sept. 8.

The deadline to register to vote online is Saturday, Sept. 18. For more information about elections and voting, contact the Secretary of State’s Elections Division at 800.883.2805 or elections@sos.la.gov