After hosting six telephone town halls for residents across Louisiana, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, has determined that a majority of Louisiana voters are opposed to the implementation of closed primaries in state elections.

He spoke Tuesday on the legislation that was passed during Gov. Jeff Landry’s first special session.

During his town halls, participating callers were polled on their opinions on the state’s move to pass legislation closing primaries for some elections – Congress, the Louisiana Supreme Court, the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and the Public Service Commission. Over 90 percent of callers were “passionate about keeping Louisiana’s primaries open,” he said.

The final version of the bill has left citizens confused, he said, as elections for statewide, state legislative and judicial seats will still operate under the open “jungle” primary system that allows candidates regardless of party affiliation to run against each other.

“The legislation last week closed only some elections and left Louisianaians with more questions than answers, including the cost.”

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana reported that a nonpartisan legislative financial analysis indicated that the cost of the change will range from $31 million to $47 million over three election cycles. Cassidy stated the estimates keep increasing, stating that the bill could end up costing up to $100 million over 10 years once fully implemented. This spending is in direct opposition to citizens’ priorities, like “roads, safer communities, and better education systems,” he said.

With the .45 cent sales tax implemented by the former administration expiring this year, Cassidy believes this spending decision will create a “witching hour.”

“I thought Republicans would try to cut taxes, but with this new primary system, they’re actually spending more right out the gate. It’s just going to be interesting to see how this plays out.”

He noted that he believes it is “a little ironic” that in one week with the state’s Republican governor and house and senate supermajorities, “they’ve got things done that John Bel Edwards couldn’t do.”

“My hope is that it doesn’t go against the will of the people in Louisiana. … I am hoping it is more focused upon what the people want and what’s good for the state, as opposed to satisfying their own political constituencies.”

The closed primaries will go into effect in 2026 – a change that was made by the Senate following concerns raised by the Secretary of State’s office regarding the speed of enactment. Additionally, lawmakers changed the bill to allow non-party voters to decide which party primary they want to vote in. Voters aligned with third-parties will not be allowed to participate in primaries.