Gov. Jeff Landry Issues Executive Order to Curb Illegal Voting in Louisiana
Gov. Landry pointed to other states facing similar issues, mentioning Virginia’s recent removal of 6,000 noncitizens from their voter rolls. "This shows the problem is real and nationwide," he said. "Louisiana will not be left vulnerable to such risks."
BATON ROUGE, La. – In a move aimed at preserving election integrity, Gov. Jeff Landry signed an executive order Monday morning tightening regulations on voter registration ahead of November's election. The order mandates that all state agencies inform individuals completing voter registration applications that it is illegal for noncitizens to vote in Louisiana.
The executive order directs state offices, which are federally required to facilitate voter registration as part of their public services, to ensure noncitizens are not mistakenly registered. It also requires heads of state agencies to collaborate with the Secretary of State and Attorney General to prevent ineligible voters from entering the system.
Secretary of State Nancy Landry announced that 48 noncitizens have been removed from Louisiana’s voter rolls since 2022. She underscored the potential impact of ineligible votes, noting that elections can be decided by razor-thin margins.
"We have multiple races every election season decided by fewer than 48 votes," said Landry, referencing her first election, which was determined by just 33 votes. "Every illegal vote undermines our democracy, and any ineligible voter could tip the balance."
Landry further emphasized that efforts will be made to prosecute individuals found guilty of voting illegally.
Gov. Landry pointed to other states facing similar issues, mentioning Virginia’s recent removal of 6,000 noncitizens from their voter rolls. "This shows the problem is real and nationwide," he said. "Louisiana will not be left vulnerable to such risks."
However, not everyone shares the governor’s concerns. State Rep. Edmond Jordan (D-Baton Rouge) argued that the scale of illegal voting is being exaggerated.
"In two years, we've identified just 48 people out of hundreds of thousands registered," Jordan said. "Voting is a fundamental right. We must be cautious not to create barriers that discourage eligible voters from participating in our democracy."
What You Need to Do to Stay Legal:
- If you are a noncitizen, it is illegal for you to vote in Louisiana.
- If you believe you are incorrectly registered, contact your local registrar's office to clarify your status.
- All eligible voters should ensure their registration is accurate and up-to-date ahead of the November election.
