Deadlines near for March 5 primaries

Staff Report
Louisiana’s March 5 presidential primary will be a different sort of election than voters are accustomed to, according to information from the St. Mary Parish Registrar of Voters Office.
The March 5 presidential preference primary is a closed party primary. The election is closed by the choice of the Democratic and Republican parties in Louisiana.
Voters registered as Democrats will be able to vote for candidates on the Democratic Party ballot, and voters registered as Republicans will be able to vote for Republican candidates on the Republican Party ballot.
If you are registered as no party, none, other party, Independent, Green, Reform, Libertarian, or any other party affiliation, you will not be eligible to vote March 5.
You can verify your current information by calling our office at 337-828-4100, ext. 360 or 985-384-8638.
You can still change your party if you wish to do so. The deadline to change your party, register to vote or make other changes to your voter record is Feb. 3.
You may do so in person at the Registrar of Voters Offices in Franklin or Morgan City from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Important dates
Early voting — Feb. 20, Feb. 22-27, 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Feb. 3 — Last day to register to vote or change political party.
March 1 — Last day to request absentee mail ballots.
March 4 — Last day to register to receive voted absentee ballots.
March 5 — Election day (polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.)