The Person in Charge
The current chief election official in Louisiana is Secretary of State Nancy Landry, a Republican who took office in January 2024. Before becoming Secretary, Landry had a long career in state politics, serving in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2008 to 2019. She also worked as the First Assistant Secretary of State under her predecessor, Kyle Ardoin, giving her direct experience within the department she now leads. Landry, an attorney and graduate of Louisiana State University's law school, won the statewide election in a runoff in November 2023.
More Than Just Elections
While serving as the state's chief election officer is the most high-profile duty, the role of the Louisiana Secretary of State is far broader. The office is defined by the state constitution
and has a diverse portfolio of responsibilities. The Secretary of State is the official keeper of the Great Seal of the State of Louisiana, using it to attest to official documents and commissions. The department also serves as the state's official archivist, preserving historical records for public access. Furthermore, it handles corporate and trademark registrations, manages several state museums, and even oversees Louisiana's "call before you dig" program.
Guardian of the Ballot Box
The core of the job, and the reason it receives so much attention, is its authority over elections. According to the state constitution, the Secretary of State is tasked with preparing and certifying ballots for all elections, publishing all election returns, and administering election laws. This gives the office immense power over the mechanics of democracy in the state. Its duties include maintaining an accurate and efficient election system, a task that involves everything from managing voter rolls to ensuring the security and integrity of the voting process. In a recent example of this duty, Landry's office announced the removal of nearly 88,000 inactive voters from the rolls as part of its annual maintenance.
Why This Office Matters
In an era of intense political polarization and scrutiny of election procedures, the role of a state's chief election official has never been more critical. The Secretary of State is on the front lines of defending against misinformation, ensuring cybersecurity for voting systems, and maintaining public confidence in election outcomes. One of the major challenges facing Landry's administration is the task of replacing Louisiana's aging voting machines, a complex and costly process that her predecessor had to restart twice. How the Secretary navigates this process and other challenges will directly impact every voter in Louisiana. The office isn't just an administrative function; it's a fundamental pillar of the state's democratic process, tasked with ensuring that elections remain free, fair, and secure for all.
