Louisiana Midterm Election Watch 2014

Why Should I Care?

It's a toss up whether the Dems will keep a grip on the Senate this year. Louisiana is one of the few states that could tip the balance. Hasn't been this much drama there since Ouiser entered the salon in "Steel Magnolias."

What Names Do I Need to Know?

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D, Incumbent): Three-term senator, Landrieu is dealing with a scandal over who paid for her private jet travel, and questions over whether she actually lives in Louisiana. Just the kind of thing Rust would love to investigate. She's managing to hold it together so far...just barely. Kegstands can't hurt.

Rep. Bill Cassidy (R-LA): First served in the LA state legislature before jumping into the US House in '08. Most challengers want to get as much face-time with voters as they can, but Cassidy is laying low while Landrieu deals with scandals that are getting attention from voters.

What Are the Issues?

Private Jets: Landrieu recently had to send the Feds a check for over $33,000 after it turned out she had wrongly charged taxpayers for political travel (often by private jet, oops) for more than a decade. She called it "sloppy book keeping." Cassidy's doing her a solid by proposing a House bill that would make lawmakers report private plane travel within 30 days.

Residency: Turns out Landrieu might not actually own a house in Louisiana. She's registered to vote at the house where her parents have lived for forever...but doesn't have her own place. Now, the GOP's hitting her for being a better senator to DC than Louisiana.

Obama: Landrieu is also a Democratic incumbent in a cycle that's all about how unpopular President Obama is with voters. Remember that time Obama promised that consumers could keep their health plans under Obamacare? And it turned out that wasn't exactly totally accurate? Cassidy's sponsoring a bill that would let consumers keep their once-canceled health plans until 2018.

I'm from Louisiana.What Do I Need to Know About Voting?

Louisiana is special. Its primary is on Election Day, meaning it doesn't make the final call about who wins the Senate seat until December. Womp.

October 6th is your deadline to register to vote in the primary. Click here to git 'er done.

October 31st is your deadline to vote absentee, if you're going to be out of state on primary and Election Day. Click here for instructions.

November 4th is primary day. Get it done before Happy Hour—voting closes at 8 p.m. local time.

December 6th is Election Day. Can't make this s*** up.