RS 18:410.4: Manner of qualifying for a party primary election

A. A person who desires to become a candidate in a party primary election shall qualify as a candidate by timely filing notice of his candidacy, which shall be accompanied either by a nominating petition or by the qualifying fee and any additional fee imposed. A candidate whose notice of candidacy is accompanied by a nominating petition shall not be required to pay any qualifying fee or any additional fee.

B. A person who desires to become a candidate in a party primary election shall be affiliated with a major political party. A person may qualify as a candidate only in a party primary election of the party with which he is affiliated as shown on his voter registration at the time of qualifying for that office. No candidate shall change his political party affiliation after he has qualified for an election until the deadline for an election contest has passed.