Louisiana is switching to a closed primary system and will no longer recognize the Independent Party.
The move comes after the state legislature and the governor approved a move to close primaries.
The change will not apply to presidential primaries but only to primaries for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education races.
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry said voters registered as independents will automatically have their voter registration moved to “No Party.” “No Party” voters can still vote in either party’s primary.
“Many Louisiana voters who are registered as Independents mistakenly believe they are unaffiliated with any political party, when in fact they are members of the Independent Party,” Landry said. “This proactive change will allow voters formerly registered as Independents to participate in Closed Party Primaries next year, preventing voter confusion while maximizing participation.”
There are about 150,000 registered with the Independent Party in Louisiana. They will be reclassified as “no party” voters, joining the more than 650,000 residents who are already registered without affiliation.
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Louisiana will continue recognizing third parties, including the Green Party or the Libertarian Party.
Closed primaries will begin in spring 2026. The state will no longer recognize the Independent Party starting Aug. 1.