The short version
Louisiana uses an open 'majority-vote' primary: every candidate for an office runs on one ballot regardless of party, and if no one wins a majority the top two advance to a runoff. You qualify by filing a Notice of Candidacy during the qualifying period.
- Offices you can run for
- Federal (U.S. House and Senate); statewide offices (Governor and other state officials); the Louisiana Senate and House; parish and municipal offices; and judicial seats.
- How to get on the ballot
- File a Notice of Candidacy with either the qualifying fee or a nominating petition. State candidates file with the Secretary of State; local candidates file with the parish clerk of court. The fee depends on the office and must be paid by cash, certified or cashier's check, or money order. An agent may file for you with an agent affidavit.
- Who runs candidate filing
- Louisiana Secretary of State — Elections Division800-883-2805
This is a plain-language overview, not legal advice. Filing deadlines and fees change every election cycle and vary by office — the official Louisiana resources below are the final word. When in doubt, the elections authority is right and we're wrong.
Official Louisiana candidate resources
Start here for the exact deadlines, fees, forms, and signature counts for your office and cycle.
Once you're on the ballot, Motion51 runs your field game.
Get your district's voter file loaded, cut into walkable turf, and onto an app your volunteers use at the door. Louisiana is fully available — see how to get your voter file.
Talk to us about your Louisiana race
Tell us what you're running for and we'll help you go from "qualified" to "knocking doors" — voter file loaded, turf cut, volunteers set up.