As Louisiana’s lieutenant governor — and more importantly, a proud Louisianan — I’ve seen firsthand how our state’s unique election system brings people together at a time when our country feels more divided than ever.
For nearly 50 years, Louisiana has done things differently. We hold one open election for everyone, regardless of party. All voters and all candidates share the same ballot. It’s not some quirky local tradition — it’s one of the main reasons Louisiana has avoided the kind of bitter polarization gripping so much of America.
Research backs that up. The Unite America Institute found Louisiana’s open primary system leads to more meaningful participation, less ideological extremism, and better results in government — especially in areas that matter most, like health and education. When elected officials aren’t catering to a small group of party voters in closed primaries, they can focus on solving problems affecting everyone. We’re far from perfect, but by many measures, Louisiana punches above its weight. Our election system is a big reason why.
Despite that success, some political insiders are trying to change it. During a special session in early 2024, the Legislature rushed through a law that brings back party primaries for several major elections starting in 2026. Under this new system, Republicans and Democrats will have separate primaries. No Party voters can pick one party’s ballot, but members of recognized third parties can’t participate at all. The change covers elections for Congress, the Louisiana Supreme Court, BESE, and the Public Service Commission.
That’s a major shift from what Louisianans have known for nearly half a century — trading simplicity and fairness for complexity and confusion.
Some folks pushing this change say the open system is a “relic of the past,” and only party members should get a say in who runs. I must disagree — respectfully, but strongly. We built Louisiana’s modern Republican Party under the open primary system. It worked because it forced us to talk to everybody, not just people wearing the same jersey. That’s how you earn trust in a state like ours.
The reason conservatives have a strong majority today is because we had to campaign across every parish, every community, and every kitchen table. The open system made us better candidates, better leaders, and ultimately made Louisiana stronger.
And let’s be clear — the people of Louisiana overwhelmingly agree. A statewide JMC Analytics poll earlier this year found 71% of voters favor the open primary system. That support crosses every political, regional, and age line. Even among Republicans, 72% prefer the open system to just 20% who don’t. That’s not a close call — that’s a landslide of public opinion.
What worries me most isn’t just that closed primaries are unpopular — it’s that most people don’t even know the change is coming. That same poll found only 34% of Louisianans are aware of the new law; 65% are not. Imagine the frustration when voters show up in 2026 and learn they can’t vote the way they always have. Rolling out a system most people don’t understand will only create confusion, anger, and mistrust. Why would we risk that when the system we already have works so well?
Louisiana’s open primary puts voters first. It gives every citizen the freedom to vote for the best candidate, not just the most partisan one. It keeps our leaders accountable to all Louisianans — and it’s helped our state stay more united than many others in this divided time.
Let’s protect the system that works. Let’s keep Louisiana’s elections open — and respect the will of the people who make this state great.
Louisiana Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser