Louisiana Secretary of State election, 2023 (October 14 primary)

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Louisiana Secretary of State
	Primary election; General election;
Election details
	Filing deadline: August 10, 2023
	Primary: October 14, 2023; General: November 18, 2023; Pre-election incumbent(s):; Kyle Ardoin (Republican)
How to vote
	Poll times: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Saturday elections); Voting in Louisiana
Ballotpedia analysis
	Federal and state primary competitiveness; State executive elections in 2023; Impact of term limits in 2023; State government trifectas; State government triplexes; Ballotpedia's Election Analysis Hub, 2023
Louisiana; executive elections
	Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Attorney General; Secretary of State; Treasurer; Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry; Commissioner of Insurance; Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (8 seats)

Nancy Landry (R) and Gwen Collins-Greenup (D) advanced from the all-party primary for Louisiana Secretary of State on October 14, 2023. Landry received 19.4% of the vote, followed by Collins-Greenup with 19.2%. Incumbent Kyle Ardoin (R) did not run for re-election.

Louisiana’s secretary of state is the state’s chief election officer. According to Louisiana Illuminator's Greg LaRose, the winner of the 2023 election “should expect a fairly intense spotlight" since they would be responsible for "replacing the voting machines the state uses, a process current office holder Kyle Ardoin has had to restart twice.”^[1]

Ardoin announced he would not run for re-election in April 2023, citing criticism surrounding how elections were administered in the state. In a statement, Ardoin said it was “shameful and outright dangerous that a small minority of vocal individuals [had] chosen to denigrate the hard work of [his office’s] election staff and spread unproven falsehoods.”^[2]

Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary. A candidate who gets more than 50% of the vote wins outright. If no candidate wins outright, the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation. The 2023 general election was on November 18.

Landry, Collins-Greenup, Mike Francis (R), Arthur Morrell (D), and Clay Schexnayder (R) led in media attention.^[3]^[4]

Landry, a former state representative, had served as Louisiana’s First Assistant Secretary of State since 2019. Landry emphasized her experience in that role: “While serving as First Assistant Secretary of State, I gained the critical experience needed for the upcoming elections and beyond. With everything on the line, 2024 might be the most important election in our lifetime. There is no time for a Secretary of State who needs on-the-job training.”^[5]

Collins-Greenup, a private attorney, ran for secretary of state in 2019 and in the 2018 special election.^[6] She advanced to the general election in both years, losing to Ardoin 59-41% on both occasions. Collins-Greenup said she ran "to strengthen our businesses, secure our elections, and protect every eligible Louisiana citizen's right to vote."^[7]

Francis was elected to the Louisiana Public Service Commission in 2016. He owned a drilling company on the Gulf Coast and was chairman of the Louisiana Republican Party from 1994 to 2000.^[8] Francis said he decided to run “because of the threat of going back to paper ballots during the election,” which he said some had proposed but election officials did not support.^[9]

Morrell served as Orleans Parish Criminal Court Clerk from 2006 to 2022. Morrell said that he "rebuilt the [court clerk's] office after hurricanes Katrina and Rita to ensure the integrity of New Orleans’ elections."^[10] On voting machines, he said "I'm not so hot on replacing these machines unless we can get something that's as good or better. ... I'm not for a paper ballot. They’ve had too many problems in other states with the paper ballot."^[11]

Schexnayder was elected to the Louisiana House of Representatives in 2011. In January 2020, he was elected speaker. In his campaign announcement, Schexnayder said Ardoin was "leaving behind one of the most secure and respected election divisions in the country” and he wanted to “build on that success until Louisiana elections are ranked number one in the nation."^[12]

From 2003 to 2023, four elections for secretary of state advanced to a general election, while four were decided in the primary. The last Democrat elected to the office was W. Fox McKeithen in 1987.^[13] McKeithen switched parties in 1989 and served in the position as a Republican until his death in office in 2005.^[14]

Thomas Kennedy III (R), Brandon Trosclair (R), and Amanda Smith Jennings (Independent) also ran.

Amanda Smith Jennings (Independent) completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. To read those survey responses, click here.

This page focuses on Louisiana's secretary of state primary. For more in-depth information on Louisiana's secretary of state general election, see the following page:

Louisiana Secretary of State election, 2023

Candidates and election results

Louisiana elections use the majority-vote system. All candidates compete in the same primary, and a candidate can win the election outright by receiving more than 50 percent of the vote. If no candidate does, the top two vote recipients from the primary advance to the general election, regardless of their partisan affiliation.

Nonpartisan primary for Louisiana Secretary of State

	Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Nancy Landry (R)	19.3	197,514
✔	Gwen Collins-Greenup (D)	19.2	196,534
	Mike Francis (R)	17.9	182,842
	Clay Schexnayder (R)	14.7	149,987
	Arthur Morrell (D)	11.1	113,703
	Thomas Kennedy III (R)	10.1	102,628
	Brandon Trosclair (R)	6.3	64,686
	Amanda Smith Jennings (Independent)	1.3	13,275

	There were no incumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 1,021,169
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
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Voting information

See also: Voting in Louisiana

Election information in Louisiana: Oct. 14, 2023, election.

What was the voter registration deadline?

In-person: Sep. 13, 2023
By mail: Postmarked by Sep. 13, 2023
Online: Sep. 23, 2023

Was absentee/mail-in voting available to all voters?

No

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot request deadline?

In-person: Oct. 10, 2023
By mail: Received by Oct. 10, 2023
Online: Oct. 10, 2023

What was the absentee/mail-in ballot return deadline?

In-person: Oct. 13, 2023
By mail: Received by Oct. 13, 2023

Was early voting available to all voters?

Yes

What were the early voting start and end dates?

Sep. 30, 2023 to Oct. 7, 2023

Were all voters required to present ID at the polls? If so, was a photo or non-photo ID required?

N/A

When were polls open on Election Day?

N/A

Candidate comparison

Candidate profiles

This section includes candidate profiles that may be created in one of two ways: either the candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey, or Ballotpedia staff may compile a profile based on campaign websites, advertisements, and public statements after identifying the candidate as noteworthy. For more on how we select candidates to include, click here.

Gwen Collins-Greenup

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Biography: Collins-Greenup received a J.D. from the Southern University Law Center. She also received a bachelor's degree and master's degrees in Accounting, Human Services Counseling, and Divinity from Liberty University. Collins-Greenup worked in the private sector for 20 years before founding Greenup Law, L.L.C., a law firm based in Baton Rouge. She also served as president of the Baton Rouge Independent Title Attorneys (BRITA).

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

"I'm running for Secretary of State to strengthen our businesses, secure our elections, and protect every eligible Louisiana citizen's right to vote," Collins-Greenup said.

Collins-Greenup listed the following issues as key priorities: "Modernize business services, streamline the business filing process, expand business resources, increase business fraud awareness, encourage business fraud reporting, and help combat business identity theft."

On election security, Collins-Greenup said she would "[r]eplace old voting machines, upgrade voter registration databases, conduct regular post-election audits, perform continuous risk assessments, implement strong internal controls, and increase cyber security."

Show sources

Sources: Gwen Collins-Greenup for Secretary of State, "Home," accessed August 22, 2023; Gwen Collins-Greenup for Secretary of State, "Meet Gwen," accessed August 22, 2023

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Louisiana Secretary of State in 2023.

Mike Francis

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

Louisiana Public Service Commission - District 4 (Assumed office: 2017)

Biography: Francis served as chair of the Louisana Republican Party from 1994 to 2000. He later founded and served as CEO of Francis Drilling Fluids, Ltd., a drilling company in the Gulf Coast, and served as a board member of Louisiana College.

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Francis said he was "Pro-life, Pro-family, [and] Pro-2nd Amendment."

Francis' website described him as "a staunch fiscal and social conservative."

Francis said he brought "his successful business experience and expertise to serve his constituents" as Public Service Commissioner.

Show sources

Sources: Friends of Mike Francis, "MIKE FRANCIS FOR LOUISIANA SECRETARY OF STATE," August 21, 2023; Friends of Mike Francis, "MIKE FRANCIS FOR LOUISIANA SECRETARY OF STATE", accessed August 21, 2023

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Louisiana Secretary of State in 2023.

Nancy Landry

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

Louisiana House of Representatives - District 31 (2008-2019)

Biography: Landry received a B.A. and a law degree from Louisiana State University. After graduating, Landry worked for Westlaw, a legal publishing company, and served as a clerk in the 15th Judicial District Family Court. She later went into private practice.

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Landry said she "gained the critical experience needed for the upcoming elections and beyond" while serving as First Assistant Secretary of State. "With everything on the line, 2024 might be the most important election in our lifetime. There is no time for a Secretary of State who needs on-the-job training," Landry said.

Landry said she was recognized for her "conservative, pro-business voting record by being named a Guardian of Small Business" while she served in the state legislature.

"I'm asking for your vote because I want to continue serving the people of Louisiana by protecting our elections, our culture, and our conservative way of life," Landry said.

Show sources

Sources: Facebook, Nancy Landry, August 16, 2023; Facebook, Nancy Landry, August 9, 2023; Nancy Landry for Secretary of State, Home, accessed August 21, 2023; Nancy Landry for Secretary of State, "About," accessed August 21, 2023

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Louisiana Secretary of State in 2023.

Arthur Morrell

Party: Democratic Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

Orleans Parish Criminal Court Clerk (2006-2022)

Louisiana House of Representatives - District 97 (1984-2006)

Biography: Morrell served in the United States Army Special Forces and later attended the Southern University at New Orleans and the Southern University Law Center. He also represented District 97 in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1984 to 2006, when he was elected Orleans Parish Criminal Court Clerk. Morrell served in that position until 2022.

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Morrell said that, as Orleans Parish Criminal Court Clerk, he "rebuilt the office after hurricanes Katrina and Rita to ensure the integrity of New Orleans’ elections."

Morrell said "Fair, safe and honest elections are the cornerstone of America’s Democracy."

On voting machines, Morrell said, “I'm not so hot on replacing these machines unless we can get something that's as good or better. ... I'm not for a paper ballot. They’ve had too many problems in other states with the paper ballot.”

Show sources

Sources: Arthur Morrell for Secretary of State, "Arthur Morrell IS Louisiana," accessed October 14, 2023; WWNO, "Secretary of state hopefuls tackle election integrity, voting systems in candidate forum," accessed October 10, 2023; Arthur Morrell for Secretary of State, "Arthur Morrell IS Louisiana," accessed October 14, 2023; WGNO, "Arthur Morrell to retire after 15 years as Orleans Parish Clerk of Criminal District Court," June 18, 2021

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Louisiana Secretary of State in 2023.

Clay Schexnayder

Party: Republican Party

Incumbent: No

Political Office:

Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives (Assumed office: 2020)
Louisiana House of Representatives - District 81 (Assumed office: 2012)

Biography: Schexnayder studied automotive training at the Allen Institute of Atlanta. In 1998, he opened Car Craft Automotive in Sorrento, a town in Ascension Parish, Louisiana. Schexnayder also participated in car races from 1998 to 2013.

Key Messages

The following key messages were curated by Ballotpedia staff. For more on how we identify key messages, click here.

Schexnayder said that, as Secretary of State, he'd want to "ease the financial burden on those looking to own and operate a business in Louisiana."

Schexnayder said he would support conducting yearly election audits. "We must continue to audit our elections in order to maintain transparency and confidence with our elections," Schexnayder said.

"Louisiana elections are currently ranked #6 in the nation for election fairness and security. As the next Louisiana Secretary of State, I will work to improve our ranking until Louisiana elections are the safest and most secure in the country," Schexnayder said.

Show sources

Sources: Clay Schexnayder for Secretary of State, "Issues," accessed August 22, 2023; Clay Schexnayder for Secretary of State, "About," accessed August 22, 2023

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Louisiana Secretary of State in 2023.

Amanda Smith Jennings

Party: Independent

Incumbent: No

Political Office: None

Submitted Biography: "My previous campaign was completely censored and banned due to my confederate heritage. The purpose of my 2019 run for LA Sec of State was to inform of the election tampering and the cyber terrorism. If you remember, the state records were shut down for several weeks immediately after the election due to cyber ransomeware. The IT guys house was burned down. There was certainly 2020 election tampering. I believe #AllVotesMatter and the voter registry has to be updated. At the same time I believe we have to #SavetheEvergreen (paper that is). Federal law mandates voter roll transparency and making the list public could greatly improve the outdated registry and remove deceased and non residents. Our historical archives are the most important treasured possession in our state and there are certain people that wish to destory those archives. I am a fierce defender of our history."

Key Messages

To read this candidate's full survey responses, click here.

#AllVotesMatter (Voter roll updating)

#SavetheEvergreen (Paper that is, no digital/internet machines)

#ProtectourHeritage (Archives)

This information was current as of the candidate's run for Louisiana Secretary of State in 2023.

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Demographic data for Louisiana
	Louisiana	U.S.
Total population:	4,668,960	316,515,021
Land area (sq mi):	43,204	3,531,905
Race and ethnicity**
White:	62.8%	73.6%
Black/African American:	32.1%	12.6%
Asian:	1.7%	5.1%
Native American:	0.6%	0.8%
Pacific Islander:	0%	0.2%
Two or more:	1.8%	3%
Hispanic/Latino:	4.7%	17.1%
Education
High school graduation rate:	83.4%	86.7%
College graduation rate:	22.5%	29.8%
Income
Median household income:	$45,047	$53,889
Persons below poverty level:	23.3%	11.3%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Louisiana. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here.

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Louisiana Secretary of State election, 2023 (October 14 primary)

Candidates and election results

Nonpartisan primary election

Nonpartisan primary for Louisiana Secretary of State

Voting information

Candidate comparison

Candidate profiles

Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Campaign advertisements

Gwen Collins-Greenup

Mike Francis

Nancy Landry

Clay Schexnayder

Endorsements

Election competitiveness

Polls

Election spending

Campaign finance

Satellite spending

State profile

Presidential voting pattern

2023 battleground elections

See also

External links

Footnotes

Information about voting

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