October 31, 2026

Greetings League Members and Friends!

Did we say last month major election activity for “November elections” happens in October? Well, we didn’t have to—because a large number of Louisiana voters (and a large number of Black voters!) did so with their feet during the Early Voting period. There’s real momentum in this election cycle, and we hope that Louisiana voters remember that energy when the 2027 Louisiana State Elections primary happens next year.

LWV of Caddo-Bossier deserves an award for beautiful graphics to advertise the Early Voting period, along with forums for its important mayoral race that received ample broadcast media coverage. LWVCB also delivered a highly informative educational graphic to help voters understand their options following the announcement, early in the month, of a database error at the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office that mistakenly switched 67,000 voters to inactive status. LWVCB also worked with a representative from the Caddo Parish Registrar of Voters Office to educate voters on absentee/mail-in ballot procedures.

And speaking of graphics and forums, LWV of Lafayette was also no slouch in the art of visual communications to advertise two important candidate forums—one for an open school board seat and the other a judicial forum including the district attorney and city court races. Not all races could be covered. The League still adheres to a “no empty chairs” policy whereby forums cannot be held without the participation of at least two candidates (and prior commitments sometime prevent candidates for attending). But the school board, district attorney, and judicial races are important opportunities for voters to learn about these offices and to have important community discussions about law enforcement and school policy.

Perhaps the height of the month was the October 17 No Kings Rally, where  LWV of St. Tammany’s voter education table made it onto the national news via “The Rachel Maddow Show” on the MSNOW network and had a fabulous table spread the next morning at the Abita Farmer’s Market.) Across the state, LWV of Lafayette and LWV of Iberia joined forces under a purple tent at the Lafayette No Kings Rally. For this year’s No Kings Rally, with its focus on Early Voting, LWVUS was a national co-sponsor. But the Early Voting action was not limited to St. Tammany, Lafayette, and Iberia, LWV of New Orleans held Wake Up-n-Vote coffee and donut sessions joined forces with partner organizations in a second-line way in Parades to the Polls during the Early Voting period.




Meanwhile, over in the eastern part of the state, LWV of Tangipahoa continued its strong work to educate voters about the Inactive Voter List and how to get off it, earning more media attention in the process. Relatedly, LWVLA president M. Christian Green was quoted in an article in The Advocate on the release of an LA SOS list of 150,00o inactive voters slated for cancellation around the state. If all of these voters are removed from the rolls, this would double the number removed in 2024, after a steady increase in previous elections. When it comes to avoiding the Inactive Voter List, our recommendation continues to be to follow the “ABC Rule.” That is Always Be Checking the Geaux Vote app or website and make sure you see the green Active Voter symbol next to your name.

Just a reminder that our “Unite & Rise 8.5” campaign to register, educate, and activate 8.5 million voters across the nation before the 2026 midterm election is winding its way to Election Day—and LWVLA is seeking to reach 160,000 Louisiana voters. As always, if you’re not with us yet as a League member, join us, tell your friends, or donate to fund our work.

In League,

Your LWVLA State Board

P.S. You’ll notice from the extensive list of dates below that our work at LWVLA doesn’t end in November. Is it our imagination that Louisiana has a large number of young voters turning 18 in October and November? Could it be that their parents had an extra fun Mardi Gras season nine months earlier? Whatever it is, we would like to register these 18-year-olds for the December run-off and also encourage 16- and 17-year-olds to PRE-REGISTER!

With our December 12 election featuring possible run-offs in hotly contested U.S. House districts and important local ballot issues like the renewal of the library funding millage in Lafayette, we’ll be working through nearly the end of the year!

 

Upcoming Events in November:

  • November 2-Deadline to return absentee ballot
  • November 3–ELECTION DAY
  • November 11-Veterans Day
  • November 12-Deadline to register in-person or by mail for December 12 election
  • November 21-Deadline to register online for the December 12 election
  • November 28, 30—Early Voting days for the December 12 election