LOUISIANA — October 21, 2026. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Louisiana announced an election-law enforcement and voter-protection plan Wednesday as the state’s early voting period continued ahead of the November 3 general election.

U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller said federal prosecutors, working with the Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division and election partners, would address credible reports of voter intimidation, voting-rights violations, ballot tampering and other unlawful interference. The announcement outlines enforcement priorities; it does not identify a finding that any particular parish or election official violated the law.

The Justice Department described its priorities as protecting access for eligible voters, monitoring compliance with federal voter-registration and eligibility requirements, and assessing credible allegations of election fraud. Election administration, including voting locations and ballot procedures, remains the responsibility of state and local authorities.

When and where Louisiana voters can cast ballots

The Louisiana Secretary of State’s official election calendar lists early in-person voting from October 20 through October 27, excluding Sunday, October 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Election Day polling hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. November 3.

The state lists October 30 at 4:30 p.m. as the ordinary deadline to request an absentee ballot, with separate rules for military and overseas voters. Registrars must receive most completed absentee ballots by 4:30 p.m. November 2, not Election Day. Eligible voters should confirm their applicable rules with the state or parish registrar.

Voters can review registration status, their assigned polling place and sample ballots via the Louisiana Secretary of State’s official elections portal. Federal complaints about discrimination or intimidation may be submitted using the Justice Department’s civil-rights reporting channels; voters can also report election irregularities to the state’s Election Integrity Division at 800-722-5305, according to the federal announcement.

Sources: U.S. Attorney’s Office, October 21 statement; Louisiana Secretary of State election dates.

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