A bill that could have further closed Louisiana’s primary elections by excluding voters who aren’t registered Republicans or Democrats failed to pass through the state legislature. The bill, House Bill 906, sponsored by state Rep. Beth Billings, R-Destrehan, never came up for a vote on the Louisiana Senate floor, despite passing the House of Representatives overwhelmingly.

Background

Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, opposed the legislation. The bill would have put state Democratic and Republican party leaders in charge of who could cast ballots in their respective primary elections for Congress, Louisiana Supreme Court, Public Service Commission, and the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.

No-party voters make up about a third of Louisiana’s electorate. Under current state law, they can choose whether to participate in the Democratic or Republican primary race for these offices. Republican Secretary of State Nancy Landry had backed Billings’ legislation, citing technical limitations in Louisiana’s voting machines that prevent no-party voters from participating in some partisan primaries while excluding them from other elections.

Future Plans

Billings said she will bring new legislation in 2027 to address this challenge, albeit with a different tactic. She declined to say what other options she is considering. Republican Gov. Jeff Landry, who is not related to Nancy Landry, also wants the primary elections further closed to no-party voters.

Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.