Louisiana Ends Independent Party Recognition, Converts 150,000 Voters to No Party

Louisiana will officially end recognition of the Independent Party starting August 1, 2025, as part of a transition to closed party primaries for select offices including U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Approximately 150,000 voters registered as Independent will have their affiliation changed to 'No Party' in the state's voter registration system and will receive updated voter information cards by mail. This change follows the passage of House Bill 420 (Act 84) during the 2025 legislative session, which aims to clarify voter affiliations and allow 'No Party' voters to participate in one party's primary but require them to stick with that party in any subsequent runoff. The move eliminates the Independent Party designation, which many voters mistakenly believed signified no party affiliation, and replaces Louisiana's open or 'jungle' primary system with a closed primary system that limits participation to registered Democrats, Republicans, or 'No Party' voters. While most offices will continue to be elected via jungle primaries, the closed primaries will apply to the specified federal and state offices beginning with the 2026 elections. Voters are encouraged to verify their registration status via Louisiana's GeauxVote system to ensure they are prepared for the upcoming changes.