The races are really heating up and if you want to register to vote, or change your party affiliation, the deadline to do that is coming up February 3rd.

The caucuses are coming up in Iowa in just over a week and all eyes are really on that race. new Hampshire will follow suit and our turn is coming up on March 5th. Also keep in mind that early voting is coming up on Feb. 20 and Feb. 22-27.

What makes this registration different is that it's the one time every four years that voters must pick a party to be eligible to vote.

Because it's the one time every four years, voters must pick a party.

According to Angie Quienalty Calcasieu Parish registrar.

"The Democrats that are registered as a Democrat will vote in the Democratic Party; those registered as a Republican will vote in the Republican Party. If you are registered as anything else, other than these two, you will not be able to vote in this particular election,"

That basically means that you must be registered as a Democrat or Republican in order to vote in the primary. While we may not get as much attention as Iowa or New Hampshire we still will get to play an important role. Michael McHale Democratic State Central Committee member says

"Louisiana is going to have a voice in deciding who will be the nominees and certainly I think come November Louisiana will have a big voice in who becomes president of the United States,"

 

Michael Kurth, chairman of the Southwest Louisiana Republican Roundtable, also encourages people to vote, but adds that it takes more than voting to see change.

"Get involved at the local level and become active in politics and that takes more than going out to vote in the primary," he said.

Again, here are the deadlines:

The last day to register to vote or change political parties is Feb. 3.

Early voting will take place Feb. 20 and Feb. 22-27.

Voting day is Saturday, March 5.

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