Candidates can withdraw by filing a signed, acknowledged notice with the secretary of state by the listed deadlines.
SUBPART E. WITHDRAWAL OF CANDIDATES §501. Procedure for withdrawal A.(1)(a) A candidate in a primary election may withdraw from the election by filing notice of his withdrawal with the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the seventh day after the close of the qualifying period. (b) A candidate in a first party primary election may withdraw from the election by filing notice of his withdrawal with the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the seventh day after the close of the qualifying period. (c) The notice of withdrawal shall be signed by the candidate and duly acknowledged by him before an officer authorized to administer oaths. (2)(a) The secretary of state shall not accept a notice of withdrawal that does not satisfy the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The secretary of state shall endorse the date and time of receipt of such a notice of withdrawal and return the notice forthwith, either personally or by registered or certified mail, to the candidate. The provisions of this Subparagraph shall not apply to a notice of withdrawal filed pursuant to a court order as provided in R.S. 18:494(B). (b) The secretary of state shall forward a copy of a notice of withdrawal that satisfies the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection or was filed pursuant to a court order as provided in R.S. 18:494(B) and that was filed by a local or municipal candidate to the president of the board of election supervisors and the clerk of court of the parish in which the candidate has qualified. B.(1)(a) A candidate in a general election may withdraw from the election by filing notice of his withdrawal with the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the ninth day after the date of the primary election. (b) A candidate in a general election for a party primary office may withdraw from the election by filing notice of his withdrawal with the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the ninth day after the second party primary election date, regardless of whether a second party primary election is held. (c) The notice of withdrawal shall be signed by the candidate and duly acknowledged by him before an officer authorized to administer oaths. (2)(a) The secretary of state shall not accept a notice of withdrawal that does not satisfy the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The secretary of state shall endorse the date and time of receipt of such a notice of withdrawal and return the notice forthwith, either personally or by registered or certified mail, to the candidate. (b) The secretary of state shall forward a copy of a notice of withdrawal that satisfies the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection and that was filed by a local or municipal candidate to the president of the board of election supervisors and the clerk of court of the parish in which the candidate has qualified. C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections A and B of this Section, if the number of candidates remaining in a primary election, second party primary election, or general election for a public office is one more than the number of persons to be elected to the office, the secretary of state shall accept a notice of withdrawal that is filed prior to 4:30 p.m. on the second day prior to the first day of early voting. The candidate or candidates remaining after the withdrawal shall be declared elected by the people. Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 1987, No. 831, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 329, §1; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2015, No. 410, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; Acts 2018, No. 657, §1, eff. June 1, 2018; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19, 2019; Acts 2025, No. 386, §2, eff. See Act.