Louisiana: Early voting has begun!

Early voting in Louisiana has started and runs through Tuesday, October 27th (excluding Sundays). Voting hours are from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm at approved parish locations. This year’s ballot will include federal offices and ten constitutional amendments. Voters will choose a new U.S. senator and all six congressional seats. You can check your voter status at the Secretary of State's website.

To help inform voters, our friends at NORML provided a federal voter guide. In the Senate race, U.S. Congresswoman Julie Letlow (R), who received an “F” from NORML, is running against Jamie Davis (D). While Davis has not spoken on cannabis policy in this campaign, he did answer all of MPP’s survey questions from his 2023 run for the state House of Representatives. He received an “A” for supporting legalization, including home grow rights (1-2 plants per person). 

While it is important to vote in every election, this year’s vote will be a warm-up for state elections next year. In 2023, only 28% of eligible voters cast their ballot, and the legislature we currently have is a direct result of low voter participation. In the three sessions since that election, only three significant cannabis bills made it to the governor’s desk. In 2024, HB165 lowered penalties for possession of cannabis paraphernalia (which the governor signed into law). Then, HB391 sought to provide pardons for previous cannabis violations, but was vetoed by Governor Landry. In 2026, HB568 recriminalized (as a felony) public consumption of cannabis within .38 miles from school properties. That bill was written by Governor Landry and carried by Rep. Gabe Firment, who is running for Congress this year.