COUSHATTA, La. — Red River Parish voters will head to the polls Saturday, May 16, for a closed-party primary featuring contests for U.S. Senate, U.S. House in Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, and Public Service Commissioner for the 5th District, along with five proposed constitutional amendments.

Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. The deadline to register to vote — or to update an existing registration — for the May 16 election has passed, ending April 25.

Early voting will run Saturday, May 2, through Saturday, May 9, at the Registrar of Voters Office, 1906 Front St. (Alonzo Street side, across from Bearing Service). Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, except the office will be closed Sunday, May 3.

Because the May 16 election is a closed-party primary, only voters registered with the Democratic or Republican parties may vote in those parties’ races.

Voters registered as “No Party” can still participate by filling out a Declaration of Ballot Choice form during early voting or at the polls on Election Day. That form lets unaffiliated voters choose a Democratic ballot, a Republican ballot, or a No Party ballot — which in this election includes only the constitutional amendments.

Officials noted the choice does not change a voter’s party affiliation on their registration record.

Voters who qualify for a mail ballot must request one no later than Tuesday, May 12, either in person or online. Requests can also be mailed to P.O. Box 432, Coushatta, LA 71019-0432.

Completed mail ballots must be returned to the Registrar’s office by 4:30 p.m. Friday, May 15. Military and overseas ballots must be returned by 8 p.m. Saturday, May 16.

For more information, contact the Red River Parish Registrar of Voters Office at (318) 932-5027. The fax number is (318) 932-5086.