Melrose, Louisiana Public Records

The voter registration deadline is 30 days before any election, or 20 days if registering online. Local voters must be U.S. Citizens, residents of Louisiana and Natchitoches Parish, and at least 16 years old to register, though you must be 18 to vote. Municipal elections for the Village of Melrose are typically held along with statewide election cycles, with mayor and council positions elected to four-year terms. The next municipal election is expected in 2026, though specific dates should be confirmed with the Town Hall or the Registrar. Candidate qualifying information and election dates are posted at Town Hall and through the Secretary of State's office. Voters can look up their specific polling place, sample ballot, and registration status through the GeauxVote website at www.sos.la.gov/geauxvote by entering their name and date of birth. Public election records in Louisiana include voter registration rolls, available with certain restrictions under La. R.S. 18:154, campaign finance reports for candidates and political committees searchable at www.ethics.la.gov, and precinct-level election results available through the Secretary of State's election results portal. Louisiana uses an open primary system where all candidates appear on the same ballot, and a runoff is held if no candidate receives 50% plus one vote. Absentee and early voting in Louisiana is available to any registered voter without requiring an excuse. Early voting typically begins 14 days before an election and ends 7 days before Election Day at designated early voting locations announced by the Registrar. Mail-in absentee ballots must be requested through the Registrar's office, and applications must be received by the fourth day before the election. Completed absentee ballots must be received by 4:30 p.m. On Election Day to be counted.