
The 2026 election year will bring some important changes that the Clerk of Court office wants our citizens to understand before heading to the polls.
Many voters have already received flyers through the mail from the Secretary of State’s office explaining the new Closed Party Primary system. This system affects several specific offices: U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, State Supreme Court, the Public Service Commission, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. For these positions, the primaries will be separated into Democratic and Republican primaries. Democrats vote in the Democratic Primary and Republicans vote in the Republican Primary.
For the 6,041 citizens in Natchitoches Parish registered as No Party, the new system gives you the flexibility to choose which primary you wish to participate in — but there are some things you need to know. When you arrive at the polls, you will need to step out of line and sign a witnessed affidavit declaring which party’s primary you will vote in. Once you make that choice, you must stay with that same party if the race goes to a runoff. This is not a temporary accommodation — it is a permanent feature of how the new Closed Party Primary system works going forward.
Voters registered with third parties such as the Green Party are not eligible to participate in the closed primaries at all. Those voters may only cast a ballot in the November general election.
The current breakdown of registered voters in Natchitoches Parish is 9,292 Democrats, 7,602 Republicans, and 6,041 No Party affiliation.
The May 16 Party Primary will determine if one candidate receives 50% plus one vote, allowing them to advance directly to the November 3 general election. If no candidate reaches that threshold, the top two vote-getters move to the June 27 runoff, with the winner representing their party in November.
If you are unsure how you are registered, there are a couple of easy ways to check. The Secretary of State’s free GeauxVote.com app lets you review your party affiliation and even change it online. Keep in mind that the deadline to change your registration online is 20 days before the election, while changes made in person or by mail must be submitted at least 30 days before the election. If you would rather speak with someone directly, the Registrar of Voters office can assist you at 318-357-2211.
It is also worth noting that many races in 2026 are not affected by the Closed Party Primary system and remain open to all voters as before. For May, the Village of Natchez will elect their Mayor and Aldermen under the existing process. Many other races will be held this November, and the Clerk’s office will be sharing details on those elections soon.
If you have questions about how the new Closed Party Primary system works, give us a call at the Clerk’s office and we will do our best to help, or stop by for a copy of the Closed Party Primary flyer with full details.
From School Board to U.S. Senate: Natchitoches Parish Has a Full Ballot This November




















