The Center Square Louisiana’s move to a party-primary system, which limits voters to a single party’s primary but still allows unaffiliated voters to participate, is expected to cost up to $47 million over five years.

The changes do not apply to municipal races such as mayor, district attorney, sheriff, municipal boards, and judgeships.

Lawmakers approved changing the state’s primary voting system during a special session in 2024. Landry said closed party primaries only apply to elections for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

Ahead of the May 2026 election, the Louisiana Secretary of State is informing voters of the closed primary election.