U. S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller Announces Election Integrity Plan for General Election and Early Voting in Louisiana

LAFAYETTE - The U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Louisiana, in coordination with the Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division, announced today its comprehensive strategy to oversee federal voting protections and address potential election-related violations as early voting begins across Louisiana for the 2026 midterm elections.

This initiative is part of a nationwide effort to ensure a secure, transparent, and accessible election process. The U.S. Attorney's Office, working closely with federal, state, and local election partners, will vigorously enforce federal election laws while safeguarding the right of every legal voter to cast a ballot free from intimidation or obstruction. Voters are encouraged to consult the Department of Justice and the Louisiana Secretary of State election portals for detailed information about voter rights, eligibility, and federal protections.

"The right to cast a ballot is sacred - a right secured for us through the extraordinary sacrifice of our Founders," said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller. "We are privileged to exercise that right, and we do so with gratitude and vigilance. Our Office's responsibility is twofold: to ensure that every eligible Louisiana citizen can freely and confidently participate in our elections, and to safeguard that process so that only those with a legal and constitutional right to cast a ballot in our state do so."

Key Enforcement Priorities for the 2026 Election:
Protecting Voter Rights: Ensuring all eligible Louisiana voters may participate in early voting, absentee voting, and Election Day voting free from discrimination, harassment, coercion, or unlawful interference.

Voter Eligibility and Compliance: Monitoring compliance with federal laws governing voter registration and eligibility.

Combating Election Fraud: Addressing reports of credible allegations involving election day ballot tampering, voter impersonation, unlawful interference with polling locations, or fraudulent absentee ballot practices. Any credible threat to election integrity or voter access in the state of Louisiana will be swiftly addressed.

Early Voting in Louisiana
Dates & Hours: Early in-person voting runs from Tuesday, October 20 through Tuesday, October 27 (excluding Sunday).

Daily hours: 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.

View Louisiana early voting locationsLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. to know where to vote early and to find your your voting precinctLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link. to vote on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3, 2026.

Polls will be open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Anyone in line when polls close is entitled to vote.

Voters should be prepared to show a photo identification card with photo and signature or a United States military identification card that contains name and picture when voting. If one does not have a photo ID, a free Louisiana special identification card can be obtained by presenting a voter registration card to the Louisiana Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV), or one may vote by affidavit after answering identifying information prior to voting.

Federal oversight will continue throughout the early voting period to ensure compliance with the Voting Rights Act and to maintain uninterrupted access to polling locations and secure ballot procedures in every parish.

Check Your Voter Registration & Polling Site
Louisiana Voters can confirm their registration status, view sample ballots, and find their polling locations using the Louisiana Secretary of State Voter PortalLinks to other government and non-government sites will typically appear with the "external link" icon to indicate that you are leaving the Department of Justice website when you click the link..

Reporting Election Irregularities
Members of the public who witness or have knowledge of election fraud, voter intimidation, civil-rights violations, or other unlawful activity in Louisiana are urged to report it immediately. Please visit the official FBI Tips Portal or contact local law enforcement to report potential election fraud or voting irregularities. Complaints regarding voter discrimination or civil rights violations can also be directed to the Civil Rights Division via the Department of Justice Civil Rights Reporting Portal. Finally, voting irregularities can be reported to the Louisiana Election Integrity Division at 800-722-5305.

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CONTACT:
Public Affairs
(337) 262-6704
[email protected]
www.justice.gov/usao-wdla