Voters will have the chance Aug. 28 to make party nominations for the U.S. Senate for the first time in more than 30 years.

On Aug. 28, closed party primaries will be held to allow registered Democrats and Republicans to choose their nominee for the seat currently held by David Vitter.

Since 1976, Louisiana has used an open primary system. But the closed system was re-adopted by the state in 2006 for federal elections.

This year’s Senate race is the first that requires closed primaries since the change because in 2008 there were no multiple candidates within the same party.

This year, Vitter, of Metairie, is opposed by fellow Republicans Chet D. Traylor of Monroe and Nick J. Accardo of Franklin.

On the Democratic side, there are three candidates for their party’s nomination: Neeson J. Chauvin, Jr., Carencro; Cary J. Daton, Metairie; and Charie Melancon, Napoleonville.

If there is a runoff necessary for either nomination, that will be held on Saturday, Oct. 2, the date of the municipal elections in some cities.

Senate nominees will face each other on the Nov. 2 general election ballot.

Only Republicans can vote in that closed primary on Aug. 28.

But on the Democratic side, the state party is welcoming voters registered as Independent to participate in their selection process.

The Libertarian Party will also hold an Aug. 28 closed vote, with Anthony Gentile of Mandeville and Randall Todd Hayes of Atlanta, La., the nomination candidates.

The Republican, Democratic and Libertarian nominees will be joined on the Nov. 2 ballot by Michael Karlton Brown, other, Shreveport; R. A. “Skip” Galan, no party, Ponchatoula; Milton Gordon, no party, Alexandria; Thomas G. “Tommy” LaFargue, other, Baton Rouge; William Robert “Bob” Lang Jr., other, Natchitoches; William R. McShan, Reform Party, Leesville; Sam Houston Melton Jr., no party, Winnfield; Michael Lane “Mike” Spears, other, Lafayette; and Ernest D. Wooton, other, Belle Chasse.