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La. Rev. Stat. § 18:511 (2026)

Election of candidates in a primary election

✓ current as of May 2026
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SUBPART F. ELECTION OF CANDIDATES

§511. Election of candidates in a primary election

            A. Majority vote. A candidate who receives a majority of the votes cast for an office in a primary election is elected. If there are two or more offices of the same character to be filled, the number of votes necessary to constitute a majority shall be greater than the result obtained by dividing the total votes cast for all of the candidates by the number of offices to be filled and dividing the result so obtained by two. If more candidates receive a majority than there are offices to be filled, those of such candidates receiving the highest total of votes shall be elected, to the number required to fill all of the offices. Any votes received by a withdrawn candidate or a deceased candidate shall be void and shall not be counted for any purpose whatsoever.

            B. Election of unopposed candidates for public office. If, after the close of the qualifying period for candidates in a primary election other than a party primary election, the number of candidates for a public office does not exceed the number of persons to be elected to the office, the candidates for that office, or those remaining after the withdrawal of one or more candidates, are declared elected by the people, and their names shall not appear on the ballot in either the primary or the general election.

            C. Election of unopposed candidates for membership on party committees. If, after the close of the qualifying period for candidates in a primary election, the number of candidates for membership on a political party committee does not exceed the number of members to be elected to the committee, the candidates for membership on that political party committee, or those remaining after the death or withdrawal of one or more candidates, are declared elected by the people, and their names shall not appear on the ballot in either the primary or the general election.

            D. Effect of a tie vote. If, as a result of a tie vote in a primary election, the number of candidates who would be elected to an office exceeds the number of persons to be elected to the office, the candidates who received the same majority of the votes cast in the primary election are not elected, but they are qualified as candidates in the general election.

            Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1977, No. 523, §eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 2005, No. 282, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 560, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2024, No. 640, §2, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §§ 3, 7, eff. June 20, 2025.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 16 cases, 1978–2000 · leading case: Citizens for a Better Gretna v. City of Gretna, La., 636 F. Supp. 1113 (E.D. La. 1986).
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Citizens for a Better Gretna v. City of Gretna, La., 636 F. Supp. 1113 (E.D. La. 1986). · cites it 3× “The gravamen of plaintiffs’ claim is that the “at-large” election system, together with the majority vote requirement for election to the Board of Aldermen (LSA-R.S. 18:511 A), currently employed by the City, effectively prevents blacks from participating in the political…”
Foster v. Love, 522 U.S. 67 (1997). “” La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 18:511(A) (West Supp.”
Love v. Foster, 90 F.3d 1026 (5th Cir. 1996). · cites it 4× “” La. Rev.Stat. § 18:511(A). When the seat in Congress is filled in the October primary, no candidate’s name appears on the ballot in the November general election and no vote for that office can be cast on the federal election date.”
Cook v. Campbell, 360 So. 2d 1193 (La. Ct. App. 1978). “[3] LSA-R.S. 18:511 A.: "Majority vote. A candidate who receives a majority of the votes cast for an office in a primary election is elected.”
Soileau v. Bd. of Sup'rs, St. Martin Par., 361 So. 2d 319 (La. Ct. App. 1978). “18:469), nor will the primary election be decisive if the election results in a tie vote (LSA-R.S. 18:511). Additionally, the results of the September 16,1978 primary would be inconclusive if an election contest suit were filed, the results of the primary election being final…”
Steinhardt v. Batt, 753 So. 2d 928 (La. Ct. App. 2000). “R.S. 18:511. He additionally argues that, because this is a special election to fill an already vacant seat, the defendant would actually be able to assume office on that date.”
Jory v. Arnette, 360 So. 2d 921 (La. Ct. App. 1978). “18:469), nor will the primary election be decisive if the election results in a tie vote (LSA-R.S. 18:511). Additionally, the results of the September 16, 1978 primary would be inconclusive if an election contest suit were filed, the results of the primary election being final…”
Burks v. Lombard, 533 So. 2d 161 (La. Ct. App. 1988). “The First Circuit saw a conflict between this language and that of R.S. 18:511(A), which provides, in pertinent part: A.”
United States v. State of La., 952 F. Supp. 1151 (W.D. La. 1997). · cites it 2× “R.S. 18:511(B) (West 1996). The United States thereafter amended its complaint, recognizing that the issues raised by their original request for injunctive relief had become moot ( i.”
United States v. Louisiana, 952 F. Supp. 1151 (W.D. La. 1997). · cites it 2× “R.S. 18:511(B) (West 1996). The United States thereafter amended its complaint, recognizing that the issues raised by their original request for injunctive relief had become moot (i.”
Wayne v. Green, 389 So. 2d 104 (La. Ct. App. 1980). · cites it 2× “Finally, the trial court decreed, pursuant to R.S. 18:511, no candidate received a majority of the votes east for the office of School Board member, District 1, Seat A, Parish of Ascension, and, pursuant to R.”
Broussard v. Miller, 514 So. 2d 765 (La. Ct. App. 1987). · cites it 2× “18:469(A), LSA-R.S. 18:511(A), and Wayne v. Green, 389 So.”
Show all 16 citing cases →
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:511(A): 7 cases
Foster v. Love, 522 U.S. 67 (1997). “” La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 18:511(A) (West Supp.”
Love v. Foster, 90 F.3d 1026 (5th Cir. 1996). “” La. Rev.Stat. § 18:511(A). When the seat in Congress is filled in the October primary, no candidate’s name appears on the ballot in the November general election and no vote for that office can be cast on the federal election date.”
Burks v. Lombard, 533 So. 2d 161 (La. Ct. App. 1988). “The First Circuit saw a conflict between this language and that of R.S. 18:511(A), which provides, in pertinent part: A.”
Broussard v. Miller, 514 So. 2d 765 (La. Ct. App. 1987). “18:469(A), LSA-R.S. 18:511(A), and Wayne v. Green, 389 So.”
Wayne v. Green, 390 So. 2d 494 (La. 1980).
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:511(B): 2 cases
United States v. State of La., 952 F. Supp. 1151 (W.D. La. 1997). “R.S. 18:511(B) (West 1996). The United States thereafter amended its complaint, recognizing that the issues raised by their original request for injunctive relief had become moot ( i.”
United States v. Louisiana, 952 F. Supp. 1151 (W.D. La. 1997). “R.S. 18:511(B) (West 1996). The United States thereafter amended its complaint, recognizing that the issues raised by their original request for injunctive relief had become moot (i.”
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