Are you registered to vote as a Democrat, Republican, Independent, Green Party  or Libertarian? On Saturday, March 23, only voters registered as Democrat or Republican will be allowed to vote. Democrats must cast their votes for a Democratic Presidential candidate. Republicans will vote their preference for a Republican.           

Every Presidential Preference Primary is a closed primary, Calcasieu Parish Clerk of Court Lynn Jones said. He’s seen four during his tenure. The one thing that happens every time, and will probably happen on March 23 is some people forget how they are registered, especially since they may have registered to vote years ago. When they show up to cast their vote, they are upset to discover they can’t vote at all if they are not registered as a Democrat or Republican. Others may become upset upset because they discover they are registered to a different party than the candidate for whom they planned to cast their vote.

“The best way to check your party registration is to go to the Geaux Vote App or the la.gov voter portal,” Jones said.

Those who wish to change their party affiliation may do so on those sites, but it’s too late to do so before the March 23 election.

It’s also important to note that the Nov. 5 election will not be a closed primary.  In that election voters may vote for the candidate of choice, regardless of the voter or candidate party affiliation.           

One other issue is on the ballot in the Lake Charles area, according to Jones.

Voters in 30 precincts who are registered as Democrats will decide between Donald Fondel, “Al” Guillory and Michael “Mike” Smith, candidates for Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee Member – 34th Representative District Office “B.”

Jones said mail-in and early voting has been as expected. “I think the most important thing to remember is to take every opportunity to exercise your beliefs by casting your vote.”