Louisiana voters to decide governor, House veto-proof majority Nov. 16
The 2019 election season isn’t over yet! Louisiana voters will head to the polls Nov. 16 to vote in general elections for statewide and local races. The state is holding elections for the following offices, in addition to other elections beyond Ballotpedia's coverage scope:
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Governor;
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Secretary of state;
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One of 11 seats on the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education;
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Five of 39 seats in the state Senate;
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19 of 105 seats in the state House of Representatives;
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A special election for Louisiana Supreme Court District 1; and
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A special election for the 19th Judicial District Court, Section 2, Division L.
Headline races in Louisiana include the gubernatorial election and the state House of Representatives elections. Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) and businessman Eddie Rispone (R) advanced from the primary with 46.6% and 27.4% of the vote, respectively. Edwards is the only Democratic governor in the Deep South. The Democratic Governors Association and the Republican Governors Association spent more than $5 million combined toward the race as of late September, and President Donald Trump (R) held a rally for Rispone and another Republican candidate ahead of the primary. If Edwards wins, the state will maintain a divided government. If Rispone wins, Louisiana will be a Republican trifecta, meaning the GOP will control the governorship and both chambers of the state legislature.
Republicans secured a majority in the state House in the primaries. The general election will determine whether they also gain a veto-proof majority of 70 seats in the chamber or whether Democrats and independents win enough seats to prevent that. Heading into the general election, Republicans control 63 seats. The seven state House general elections feature one Republican and a candidate of a different affiliation. In the state Senate primaries, Republicans won 27 seats—one more than is needed to override a gubernatorial veto.
Voters in New Orleans will also decide four local ballot measures.
Louisiana held primary elections on Oct. 12 for all candidates, regardless of party affiliation. Candidates who received more than 50 percent of the primary vote won outright. The general election is being held for the top two vote-getters who did not reach that threshold in each race.
Early in-person voting for Louisiana's Nov. 16 general elections, which began on Nov. 2, ends Saturday, Nov. 9. Voters wishing to cast an absentee ballot must apply for one by 4:30 p.m. Central Time Nov. 12.
Louisiana voters must have an accepted reason to vote absentee. Examples include working offshore, residing in a nursing home, or being sequestered because of jury duty. You can read the full list here. Voters may fill out an application online or submit a printed application through the mail, in person, or by fax to their parish's registrar of voters. The registrar must receive completed absentee ballots by 4:30 pm Central Time Nov. 15.
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