ELECTION CODE: Makes revisions to the Louisiana Election Code

ENROLLED
ACT No. 72026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 842
BY REPRESENTATIVE BEAULLIEU
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact R.S. 18:2(9), 53(B)(2)(b), 55(D), 59(F), 62, 108(A), 110(B)(3),
3 154(C)(1)(h) and (D)(1) and (3) and (F)(8), 192(B)(1)(a), 193(A), 196(B) and
4 (C)(2)(a), 197, 401.1(H), 402(A)(1), 433(B)(1), 465(B) and (D), 469(A), 491(B),
5 493, 495(B), 501(C), 532(F), 532.1(C)(1) and (4), 551(B)(2)(introductory
6 paragraph), 562(B)(2), 564(B)(5)(b), 565(B) and (C), 571(A)(8), 573(E), 574(A)(2)
7 and (3), 602(E)(2)(d), 604(B)(2)(c), 621(B), 1254(C), 1259(B)(2)(introductory
8 paragraph), 1300.2(C)(1), 1300.3(A)(1)(b), 1303(K) and (L), 1309(D)(2), (K), and
9 (N)(5), 1309.3(B)(4)(b), 1313(C)(1) and (H)(3) and (5), 1313.1(C)(2) and (I)(2),
10 1314(B)(2) and (C)(2)(a) and (3), 1315(A)(1) and (2)(introductory paragraph), (B),
11 and (D)(2), 1317, 1333(B) and (G)(1) and (7), 1367.2(F), 1367.11(A), 1371(A)(1)
12 and (2)(introductory paragraph), 1401(G), 1402(B)(1)(a), 1405, 1413, and
13 1922.2(B)(2) and to enact R.S. 18:106.2, 107(H), 110(B)(1)(c), 192(C), 465(E)(3),
14 1310(A)(3), 1316(D), 1401(H), and 1922.2(B)(3), relative to the Louisiana Election
15 Code; to make revisions to the Louisiana Election Code; to provide for duties of the
16 secretary of state and registrars of voters; to provide for the raising of allegations
17 against a registrar of voters; to provide for the payment of the parish portion of the
18 salary of a registrar of voters, chief deputy registrar, and confidential assistant; to
19 provide for political activities of unclassified registrars, deputy registrars, and other
20 employees; to provide for the cancellation of prior voter registration; to provide for
21 change of registration address; to provide for the cancellation of registration; to
22 provide for the registration of unaffiliated registrants; to provide for the registration
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1 information of a person who is seventeen years of age; to provide for voters
2 incapable of making a mark; to provide for the confidentiality of registration
3 information of law enforcement officers; to provide for the annual canvass in certain
4 years; to provide for use of an address confirmation form; to provide for the
5 calculation of dates and computation of time; to provide for meetings of a parish
6 board of election supervisors; to provide for the information required on a
7 nominating petition; to provide for the certification of signatures on a nominating
8 petition; to provide for procedures related to changing precincts and boundaries; to
9 provide for the completion of voter assistance forms; to provide for the statement of
10 election returns; to provide for notification of a special election to fill a vacancy; to
11 provide for vacancies in certain party primary offices; to provide for the contents of
12 a nominating petition for presidential elector; to provide for the arrangement of the
13 ballot; to provide for certifying employment for purposes of early voting; to provide
14 for early voting commissioner qualifications; to provide for filing the list of early
15 voting watchers; to provide for casting a vote on an absentee by mail ballot; to
16 provide for the timing to challenge a person applying to vote during early voting; to
17 provide for grounds to challenge an absentee by mail ballot; to authorize the
18 secretary of state to promulgate rules related to distinguishing marks; to provide for
19 the duration of the nursing home early voting program; to provide for procurement
20 methods for the delivery of voting machines and equipment; to provide relative to
21 legal remedies related to the procurement of voting machines; to provide for election
22 contests; to provide for objections to candidacy; to provide for a cause of action, the
23 proper parties, and the peremptive period for objecting to the placement of a
24 constitutional amendment on a ballot; to provide for the time for the commencement
25 of objections to candidacy and election contests; to provide for the designation of
26 statewide elections for the purpose of the consideration of constitutional
27 amendments; to provide relative to the secretary of state's duties related to recall
28 petitions; to provide for the designation of party primary offices; to provide for the
29 election of candidates for representative in the United States Congress in 2026; to
30 provide that votes cast for candidates for representative in the United States Congress
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1 in the May 16, 2026, and June 27, 2026, party primary election be void and not
2 counted; to provide that cancelled votes are not subject to the Public Records Law;
3 to provide for the conduct of the 2026 fall elections; to provide for qualifying for the
4 2026 fall open primary elections; to provide for nominating petitions for candidates
5 for representative in the United States Congress for the 2026 fall open primary
6 elections; to correct terminology; to provide for effectiveness; and to provide for
7 related matters.
8 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
9 Section 1. R.S. 18:53(B)(2)(b), 55(D), 59(F), 62, 108(A), 110(B)(3), 154(D)(1) and
10 (3), 192(B)(1)(a), 193(A), 196(B) and (C)(2)(a), 197, 401.1(H), 402(A)(1), 433(B)(1),
11 465(B) and (D), 469(A), 491(B), 493, 495(B), 501(C), 532(F), 532.1(C)(1) and (4),
12 551(B)(2)(introductory paragraph), 562(B)(2), 564(B)(5)(b), 565(B) and (C), 571(A)(8),
13 573(E), 574(A)(2) and (3), 602(E)(2)(d), 604(B)(2)(c), 621(B), 1254(C),
14 1259(B)(2)(introductory paragraph), 1300.2(C)(1), 1300.3(A)(1)(b), 1303(K) and (L),
15 1309(D)(2), (K), and (N)(5), 1309.3(B)(4)(b), 1313(C)(1) and (H)(3) and (5), 1313.1(C)(2)
16 and (I)(2), 1314(B)(2) and (C)(2)(a) and (3), 1315(A)(1) and (2)(introductory paragraph),
17 (B), and (D)(2), 1317, 1333(B) and (G)(1) and (7), 1367.2(F), 1367.11(A), 1371(A)(1) and
18 (2)(introductory paragraph), 1401(G), 1402(B)(1)(a), 1405, 1413, and 1922.2(B)(2) are
19 hereby amended and reenacted and R.S. 18:106.2, 110(B)(1)(c), 192(C), 465(E)(3),
20 1310(A)(3), 1316(D), 1401(H), and 1922.2(B)(3) are hereby enacted to read as follows:
21 §53. Removal from office; may not be own immediate successor
22 * * *
23 B.
24 * * *
25 (2)
26 * * *
27 (b) If the commissioner of elections raises allegations that the parish registrar
28 has engaged in any conduct set forth in Paragraphs (A)(1) through (7) of this Section,
29 the board shall schedule a hearing on the allegations brought by the commissioner
30 of elections within thirty days of the receipt of the accusations allegations. If the
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1 commissioner of elections serves as a regular member of the board, he shall not serve
2 for the purposes of such hearings, and the secretary of state shall designate a member
3 of the Registrars of Voters Association to serve in the commissioner's place and shall
4 notify the board in writing of any such designation as provided in R.S. 18:23.
5 * * *
6 §55. Compensation of registrar of voters; amount and manner of payment; reduction
7 during tenure prohibited; prohibited increase
8 * * *
9 D. The state portion of each salary shall be paid biweekly by the state
10 through the secretary of state, and the parish portion of each salary shall be paid
11 biweekly, semimonthly, or monthly by the parish governing authority on the warrant
12 of the respective registrars. The funds for the parish portion of the salary shall be
13 annually appropriated by the parish governing authority and the funds for the state
14 portion of the salary shall be annually appropriated to the secretary of state.
15 * * *
16 §59. Deputies, confidential assistants, and other permanent office employees;
17 temporary employees; appointment and compensation; prohibited increase
18 in compensation
19 * * *
20 F. The state portion of the salary of each chief deputy registrar of voters and
21 confidential assistant shall be paid biweekly by the state through the secretary of
22 state, and the parish portion of the salary shall be paid biweekly, semimonthly, or
23 monthly by the parish governing authority on the warrant of each chief deputy and
24 confidential assistant. The funds for the parish portion of the salary shall be annually
25 appropriated by the parish governing authority and the funds for the state portion of
26 the salary shall be annually appropriated by the legislature to the secretary of state.
27 * * *
28 §62. Political activities prohibited
29 A. No registrar of voters, and or deputy registrar, or other employee of a
30 registrar who is in the unclassified state civil service shall participate or engage in:
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1 political activity, including his own or any other candidacy for election to public
2 office; membership on any national, state, or local committee of a political party or
3 faction; making or soliciting contributions for any political party, faction, or
4 candidate; or taking active part in the management of the affairs of a political party,
5 faction, candidate, or any political campaign, except to exercise his right as a citizen
6 to express his opinion privately and to cast his vote as he desires. As used in this
7 Section, the term "political activity" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Article
8 X, Section 9(C) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
9 B. All deputy registrars and other employees of a registrar who are in the
10 classified state civil service shall be subject to the constitution and laws, and the
11 regulations adopted pursuant thereto, affecting political activities by persons in the
12 classified state civil service.
13 * * *
14 §106.2. Voter incapable of signing his name or making a mark
15 A. If a registered voter, subsequent to his registration, is no longer capable
16 of signing his name or making a mark due to a physical disability, he shall file with
17 the registrar of voters an alternative signature attestation to authorize another person
18 to sign documents required by this Title on his behalf, along with a letter signed by
19 a physician stating that the voter is unable to provide his signature or mark due to a
20 physical disability and that the voter is capable of providing consent for another
21 person to sign on his behalf.
22 B. The individual assisting a voter who filed the attestation provided for in
23 Subsection A of this Section shall complete and sign a form, at the voter’s direction
24 and in the presence of the voter and at least one witness, indicating that the voter is
25 unable to sign his name or make a mark due to a physical disability, that the voter
26 has verbally or otherwise attested that the individual was given the authority to sign
27 on the voter’s behalf, and that all information supplied on the form is true and correct
28 under penalty of perjury. The form shall also contain the individual’s printed name,
29 signature, and residential address, as well as the printed name and signature of the
30 witness.
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1 C. The individual authorized to assist the voter shall be an elector of the state
2 and shall not be a candidate, the voter’s employer or employer’s agent, or the voter’s
3 union agent.
4 D. When signing a document required by this Title on the voter’s behalf, the
5 individual authorized to assist the voter shall also sign and print his own name and
6 residential address on the document.
7 E. If a registered voter who is no longer capable of signing his name or
8 making a mark due to a physical disability appears in person to vote on election day
9 or during early voting, he shall verbally or otherwise convey his consent for the
10 commissioner or deputy registrar to sign the precinct register, early voting register,
11 and any other forms required by this Title, and the commissioner or deputy registrar
12 shall sign on behalf of the voter in the presence of at least one witness.
13 * * *
14 §108. Prior registration; surrender of notice of registration before new registration;
15 change of place of registration
16 A. If the registrant's application indicates that the applicant previously
17 registered as a voter in any other parish, and if the previous notice of registration is
18 available, then before making a new registration the registrar shall require the
19 applicant to surrender his previous notice for cancellation. The the registrar shall
20 promptly notify the registrar of the parish in which the applicant has registered
21 previously, through the statewide voter registration system, of the present
22 registration. The other registrar shall verify the cancellation of cancel the voter's
23 previous registration in the other parish; however, the cancellation shall not be made
24 as long as the registrant has the right to vote in the parish of his former residence as
25 provided in R.S. 18:110(C).
26 * * *
27 §110. Removal from precinct; removal from parish
28 * * *
29 B.(1) A change of registration based upon a change of residence within a
30 parish received after the closing of registration for a primary election shall become
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1 effective the day after the general election or special general election when a special
2 primary election is held in conjunction with a general election except as follows:
3 * * *
4 (c) A change of registration based upon a change of residence within a parish
5 received after the closing of registration for a closed party primary election shall
6 become effective the day after the second party primary election.
7 * * *
8 (3) However, in a regularly scheduled general election where the only
9 candidate's election appearing on any ballot in the parish is a special primary
10 election, then in such instance, the a change made prior to the close of registration
11 for the general election shall become effective prior to the special primary election.
12 In a regularly scheduled or special general election, where the change of registration
13 was made prior to the close of registration for the general election and does not
14 change any issues or candidate offices upon which the voter was entitled to vote
15 prior to the change, the change shall become effective prior to the regularly
16 scheduled or special general election.
17 * * *
18 §154. Records open to inspection; copying; exceptions
19 * * *
20 D.(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, the registrar, the clerk
21 of court, and the Department of State shall not disclose the name and address of a
22 law enforcement officer if the registrar has received certification from the law
23 enforcement agency employing the officer that the officer is engaging in hazardous
24 activities to the extent that it is making it necessary for his name and address to be
25 kept confidential. The registrar shall indicate such certification in the state voter
26 registration computer system upon receipt of the certification.
27 * * *
28 (3)(a) Any agency employing a law enforcement officer availing himself of
29 Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall also issue a decertification notice to the
30 registrar of voters when the officer is no longer engaging in hazardous activities to
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1 the extent that it is making it necessary for his name and address to be kept
2 confidential.
3 (b) Any time after certification by the employing agency, the law
4 enforcement officer may submit written notice to the registrar of voters that it is no
5 longer necessary for his name and address to be kept confidential.
6 (c) Upon receipt of a notice provided for in this Paragraph, the registrar shall
7 remove the indication of certification for the affected law enforcement officer from
8 the state voter registration computer system.
9 * * *
10 §192. Annual canvass; costs
11 * * *
12 B.(1) No later than June thirtieth, the Department of State shall conduct an
13 annual canvass as provided in this Subsection. Using information available in the
14 state voter registration computer system, the secretary of state shall identify
15 registrants who meet all of the following criteria:
16 (a) The registrant's name did not appear with a corrected address provided
17 by the United States Postal Service or its licensee pursuant to Subsection A of this
18 Section.
19 * * *
20 C. The Department of State is not required to conduct a canvass as provided
21 for in Subsection A or B of this Section in a calendar year when there is less than
22 sixty days between a regularly scheduled or special election date and the opening of
23 qualifying for a regularly scheduled or special primary election.
24 §193. Challenge and cancellation of registration; notice; procedures
25 A. When the registrar has reason to believe that a registrant no longer is
26 qualified to be registered, or that a registrant has changed his residence, the registrar
27 shall immediately notify the person by sending the address confirmation notice to the
28 registrant and place the voter on the inactive list of voters. However, a person shall
29 not be placed on the inactive list of voters if there is address information available
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1 to the registrar from the United States Postal Service or its licensee which indicates
2 the voter has moved to another address within the parish.
3 * * *
4 §196. Inactive list of voters; procedure for voting
5 * * *
6 B. A registrant whose name is on the inactive list of voters may vote:
7 (1) If the registrant has not changed residence, at the polling place of the
8 registrant's last address upon affirming in writing by completing an address
9 confirmation notice form affirming that the registrant still resides at the address on
10 file at the office of the registrar of voters.
11 (2) If the registrant has moved to an address within the parish in the same
12 precinct, at the polling place of the registrant's last address on file at the office of the
13 registrar of voters upon affirming in writing that the registrant resides in the precinct
14 by completing an address confirmation notice form affirming the new address within
15 the precinct.
16 (3) If the registrant has moved to an address within the parish in a different
17 precinct, at the polling place of the registrant's last address on file at the office of the
18 registrar of voters for that election only upon affirming in writing that the registrant
19 still resides in the parish by completing an address confirmation notice form
20 affirming the new address within the parish.
21 (4) If the registrant has moved to an address outside of the parish, at the
22 polling place of the registrant's last address on file at the office of the registrar of
23 voters for that election only upon affirming in writing that the registrant has moved
24 within the last three months and no longer resides in the parish by completing an
25 address confirmation notice form affirming the new address outside of the parish and
26 that the length of time since the move has not exceeded three months. If the
27 registrant does not affirm that he has moved within the last three months, the
28 registrant shall not be permitted to vote.
29 C.
30 * * *
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1 (2)(a) If a registrant whose name is on the inactive list of voters applies to
2 vote absentee by mail or votes absentee by mail or during early voting, the registrar
3 shall transfer the registrant's name to the official list of voters and make any
4 necessary corrections in the registrant's registration records if the information on the
5 address confirmation notice form, as required by R.S. 18:1309, or the residence
6 address provided in an application to vote by mail so indicates. The registrar shall
7 change the registrant's registration address to the residence address provided on the
8 address confirmation form or application to vote by mail.
9 * * *
10 §197. Registration; cancellation
11 No registrar of voters shall cancel the registration of any voter in his parish
12 between any open primary election and the subsequent general election occurring in
13 that parish as a result of any of the processes authorized by this Part, except in the
14 case of a person whose registration is cancelled pursuant to R.S. 18:193(G) or who
15 has been fraudulently placed upon the registration records or in the case of a person
16 whose registration is canceled pursuant to the annual canvass conducted by the
17 registrar.
18 * * *
19 §401.1. Election emergency; purpose; elections emergency contingency plan
20 * * *
21 H. For purposes of this Section, a vacancy in a party primary office that may
22 not be filled by appointment, designation, or in accordance with the timeframes
23 required by law shall constitute an emergency. If the vacancy may not be filled in
24 a timely manner in accordance with the election dates provided for in R.S. 18:402,
25 the governor may proclaim a state of emergency for purposes of calling a special
26 election to fill the vacancy. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 18:401.3,
27 following the issuance of the emergency proclamation, the authority required by law
28 to call a special election to fill the vacancy in office shall, in consultation with and
29 with the certification of the secretary of state, issue a proclamation ordering a special
30 election. The proclamation ordering the special election shall include the dates for
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1 qualifying, early voting, the at least one party primary election, and the general
2 election, and at least one party primary election and make all provisions necessary
3 to conduct an election in a timely manner notwithstanding the dates, timing, and
4 delays otherwise provided by this Code.
5 * * *
6 §402. Dates of primary and general elections; prohibited election days
7 A. Prohibited election days. (1) No election of any kind shall be held in this
8 state on any of the days of Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret,
9 Simchat Torah, the first two days and the last two days of Passover, Shavuot, Tish'a
10 B'Av, the two days preceding Labor Day, the three days preceding Easter, or the
11 three days following Thanksgiving Day. If the date of any fall election falls on any
12 of the above-named days, the election shall be held on the same weekday day of the
13 preceding week. If the date of any spring election falls on any of the above-named
14 days, the election shall be held on the same day of the following week.
15 * * *
16 §433. Commissioners-in-charge; course of instruction; selection; commission;
17 disqualification; replacement
18 * * *
19 B. Selection. (1)(a) The parish board of election supervisors shall meet at
20 10:00 a.m. by on or before the second Friday in January of each year to select a
21 commissioner-in-charge to serve at each precinct in the parish. The meeting shall
22 be open to the public. The board shall have previously posted a notice on the front
23 door of the courthouse stating the location within the courthouse where the meeting
24 is to be held. The selection of commissioners-in-charge shall be made from the
25 certified list furnished by the clerk as required by Paragraph (A)(5) of this Section
26 and in the manner provided for in this Subsection.
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1 (b) If the course of instruction for commissioners-in-charge is delayed due
2 to a gubernatorially declared state of emergency as provided by Paragraph (A)(1) of
3 this Section, the parish board of election supervisors shall meet at 10:00 a.m. on or
4 before the fifth day after completion of the course of instruction.
5 * * *
6 §465. Nominating petitions
7 * * *
8 B. Method of nominating candidates. A person may only be nominated as
9 a candidate in a primary election only by persons who are registered to vote on the
10 office he seeks who sign a nominating petition for him no more than one hundred
11 twenty days before the qualifying period opens for candidates in the primary
12 election. In addition to his signature, each voter who signs a nominating petition
13 shall provide the information required by R.S. 18:3 date his signature and shall
14 provide the ward and precinct in which he is registered to vote, his residence address,
15 including the municipal number, the apartment number, if any, the rural route and
16 box number, or any other physical description that will identify his actual place of
17 residence. Once a voter has signed a nominating petition, he may not withdraw the
18 nomination. The secretary of state shall prepare forms which may be used by any
19 person who seeks nomination as a candidate by nominating petition. The secretary
20 of state shall furnish copies of the forms to each clerk of court, and the forms shall
21 be available, upon request, at the office of the secretary of state or at the office of the
22 clerk of court. Nothing in this Subsection shall be construed to require nominating
23 petitions to be filed only on forms prepared by the secretary of state.
24 * * *
25 D. Form. In addition to the requirements of R.S. 18:3, each Each sheet of
26 the nominating petition shall set forth the candidate's name, the address of his
27 domicile, the office for which the signers nominate him, the political party with
28 which he is affiliated, if any, and the date of the primary election for which he seeks
29 to qualify. The name of each voter who signed the nominating petition shall be
30 typed or legibly written on the petition, and each signature on the nominating petition
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1 shall be dated and witnessed by the candidate or the person who obtained the
2 signature on his behalf. The candidate and all persons who obtained signatures on
3 his behalf shall certify on the nominating petition that to the best of their knowledge,
4 information, and belief all of the signatures on the nominating petition are genuine
5 and all of the statements contained in the nominating petition are true and correct.
6 E. Certification.
7 * * *
8 (3) The registrar of voters for each parish may request and accept the
9 assistance of employees of the Department of State and registrars and deputy
10 registrars of voters from other parishes to complete the certification of the
11 nominating petition.
12 * * *
13 §469. Reopening of qualifying period; effect
14 A. When a person who qualified as a candidate and has opposition in a
15 primary election for a public office dies after the close of the qualifying period and
16 before the time for closing the polls on the day of the primary election, the qualifying
17 period for candidates in the primary election for that office shall reopen for
18 candidates on the day after the secretary of state receives actual notice of the death
19 and shall close at 4:30 p.m. on the third day after notice of the death or, if that day
20 is a legal holiday, at 4:30 p.m. on the next day which is not a legal holiday. The
21 name of the deceased candidate shall not be printed on the primary election ballot.
22 If the primary election ballot was printed with the deceased candidate's name on it,
23 any votes received by the deceased candidate shall be void and shall not be counted
24 for any purpose whatsoever.
25 * * *
26 §491. Standing to object to candidacy
27 * * *
28 B. A registered voter may present evidence that a candidate has illegally
29 qualified for elective office. The evidence may be presented to the respective parish
30 district attorney, who may determine whether or not the evidence presented
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1 establishes grounds for objecting to such candidacy and if the district attorney makes
2 such a determination he may file an action objecting to candidacy within the time
3 limitation provided in R.S. 18:493 18:1405(A).
4 * * *
5 §493. Time for objecting to candidacy Subpoena and testimony; Department of
6 Revenue
7 A. An action objecting to candidacy shall be commenced in a court of
8 competent jurisdiction within seven days after the close of qualifications for
9 candidates in the primary election. However, if the time interval ends on a Saturday,
10 Sunday, or other legal holiday, then noon of the next day which is not a Saturday,
11 Sunday, or legal holiday shall be deemed to be the end of the time interval. After the
12 expiration of the time period set forth in this Section, no action shall be commenced
13 objecting to candidacy based on the grounds for objections to candidacy contained
14 in R.S. 18:492.
15 B.(1) Neither the secretary of the Department of Revenue nor any employee
16 engaged in the administration or charged with the custody of any records or files of
17 the Department of Revenue shall be subject to subpoena or otherwise required to
18 appear in court for any matter filed pursuant to this Section.
19 (2) B. In lieu of live testimony, a properly executed affidavit issued by the
20 secretary of the Department of Revenue or his designee shall serve as sufficient
21 confirmation as to the accuracy of the records and files of the secretary of the
22 Department of Revenue for such purposes.
23 * * *
24 §495. Initiation of action by district attorney; attorney general; court costs and
25 attorney fees
26 * * *
27 B. The district attorney shall have standing to bring such an action pursuant
28 to this Subpart. In addition, if requested in accordance with Subsection A of this
29 Section, the attorney general shall have standing to bring such an action pursuant to
30 this Subpart. The time limitation to commence an action objecting to candidacy
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1 prescribed by R.S. 18:493 18:1405(A) shall apply to such actions brought by the
2 district attorney or the attorney general.
3 * * *
4 §501. Procedure for withdrawal
5 * * *
6 C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections A and B of this Section,
7 if the number of candidates remaining in a primary election, second party primary
8 election, or general election for a public office is one more than the number of
9 persons to be elected to the office, the secretary of state shall accept a notice of
10 withdrawal that is filed prior to 4:30 p.m. on the second business day prior to the first
11 day of early voting. The candidate or candidates remaining after the withdrawal
12 shall be declared elected by the people.
13 * * *
14 §532. Establishment of precincts
15 * * *
16 F. Prior to the adoption of an ordinance to establish the boundaries of
17 precincts pursuant to this Section, the parish governing authority shall submit the
18 proposed precincts and boundaries to the clerk of court and registrar of voters for
19 their review to confirm in writing the ability to conduct an election utilizing the
20 proposed boundaries. The parish governing authority shall submit to the secretary
21 of state in accordance with timetables in this Section, the written confirmation
22 received by the parish governing authority.
23 §532.1. Changing boundaries
24 * * *
25 C.(1) The parish governing authority shall comply with the provisions of
26 R.S. 18:532(A), (B), (C), and (E), and (F) when changing any precinct boundary.
27 * * *
28 (4) In addition to the requirements of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, when
29 the proposed precinct change involves dividing a precinct, prior to the adoption of
30 the ordinance, the parish governing authority shall submit proposed changes to the
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1 clerk of court and registrar of voters to confirm in writing the ability to conduct an
2 election utilizing the proposed boundaries. The parish governing authority shall
3 submit to the secretary of state in accordance with timetables in this Section, the
4 written confirmation received by the parish governing authority.
5 * * *
6 §551. Ballots
7 * * *
8 B. Titles of offices.
9 * * *
10 (2) Below any party primary offices, the Except as provided in Paragraph (1)
11 of this Subsection, titles of the offices to be voted on in a primary or general election
12 shall be listed on the ballot in the following order:
13 * * *
14 §562. Prerequisites to voting
15 * * *
16 B. Review of precinct register. The commissioners shall then determine:
17 * * *
18 (2) If the applicant's name is found in the precinct register on the inactive list
19 of voters and the applicant has not voted absentee by mail or during early voting, the
20 applicant may vote after complying with provisions of R.S. 18:196(B). After such
21 compliance, one of the commissioners shall announce the applicant's name again and
22 shall preserve the address confirmation notice form received from the voter by
23 placing the address confirmation notice form in the envelope marked "Registrar of
24 Voters" and attaching the envelope to the precinct register.
25 * * *
26 §564. Assistance in voting on election day
27 * * *
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1 B. Persons prohibited from assisting voters.
2 * * *
3 (5)
4 * * *
5 (b) The voter, along with the person assisting the voter, shall complete a
6 voter assistance form and provide the name, address, and relationship to the voter of
7 the person, including a commissioner, assisting the voter and attest whether the
8 person, other than a commissioner, assisting the voter was paid to provide assistance.
9 If the voter is not marked for assistance in voting in the precinct register, the voter
10 shall attest on the voter assistance form that the voter has a physical disability or is
11 unable to read and requires assistance in voting.
12 * * *
13 §565. Challenge of voters
14 * * *
15 B. Disposition of record of challenge and address confirmation notice form.
16 The original record of the challenge, signed by the challenger, and the address
17 confirmation notice form shall be placed in the envelope marked "Registrar of
18 Voters". A duplicate record of the challenge shall be placed in the clear plastic
19 zipper bag and returned to the clerk of court on election night. A duplicate record of
20 the challenge shall be given to the voter being challenged.
21 C. Disposition of the challenge. The commissioners present shall determine
22 the validity of the challenge. If they determine by majority vote that the challenge
23 is valid, the applicant shall not be permitted to vote. However, if the valid challenge
24 has determined that the applicant has moved within the parish or has moved outside
25 of the parish within the last three months, the voter shall be allowed to vote upon
26 completing an address confirmation notice form. If a majority of the commissioners
27 determine that the challenge is invalid, the applicant shall be permitted to vote.
28 * * *
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1 §571. Procedures for commissioners after termination of voting
2 A. At the termination of voting in a primary or general election, the
3 commissioners shall announce that voting is terminated. The commissioners in the
4 presence of the watchers shall immediately:
5 * * *
6 (8) Place one copy of the official election results reports, one copy of the
7 machine certificates, one of the duplicate poll lists, all original executed challenges
8 of voters, all precinct register corrections, all voter identification affidavits, all voter
9 assistance forms, any physicians' certificates, any copies of disability documentation,
10 a copy of each completed notation of irregularities form, and any address
11 confirmation notices forms in the envelope marked "Registrar of Voters", seal it and
12 attach it to the precinct register after the termination of voting, and place a new
13 protective seal on the precinct register.
14 * * *
15 §573. Evidence of election results
16 * * *
17 E. Transmission and disposition of original challenges, duplicate voters'
18 affidavits, and address confirmation notices forms. (1) At the opening of the voting
19 machines, the sealed precinct registers shall be immediately returned to the registrar
20 of voters. Upon receipt of the sealed precinct registers, the registrar shall remove
21 any attached original record of challenges of voters made during the election, any
22 precinct register correction affidavits, any voter identification affidavits made
23 pursuant to R.S. 18:562, any address confirmation notices forms, any voter
24 assistance forms, any certificates, any copies of disability documentation, and any
25 completed voter registration applications.
26 (2) The registrar shall utilize the procedures set forth in Part V of Chapter
27 4 of this Code to determine the validity of the registration of each challenged voter
28 who did not submit an address confirmation notice form. In any instance where an
29 address confirmation notice form was received that stated an address different from
30 the address on file in the registrar's office for a registrant, the registrar shall change
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1 the registrant’s address to the address on the address confirmation notice form if the
2 change of address is in the parish; transfer the registrant’s registration to another
3 parish if the address on the address confirmation notice form is in another parish; or
4 cancel the registration if the address on the address confirmation notice form is in
5 another state. If an address confirmation notice form was received that affirmed the
6 address on file in the registrar's office, the registrar shall reinstate the registrant to
7 the official list of voters if the registrant appears on the inactive list of voters. If the
8 address confirmation notice form was a result of a valid challenge, the registrar shall
9 so inform the district attorney and shall transmit to him the address confirmation
10 notice form of that person.
11 (3) The registrar also shall proceed to determine if each voter submitting a
12 voter identification affidavit made pursuant to R.S. 18:562 attesting that he is a
13 qualified registered voter is in fact a registered voter qualified to vote in the election
14 by comparing the information provided by the voter with the information on file in
15 the registrar's office and by reasonably comparing the signature on the affidavit with
16 any signature on file for the voter in the registrar's office. If the registrar determines
17 that any person who has voted in the election by virtue of his submission of such an
18 affidavit was not a registered voter qualified to vote in the election, the registrar shall
19 so inform the elections compliance unit and shall transmit to it the affidavit of that
20 person.
21 (4) The registrar shall scan the address confirmation notice form, voter
22 identification affidavit, voter assistance form, or voter registration application and
23 add it to the voter's record in the state voter registration computer system after
24 processing.
25 §574. Compilation and promulgation of returns
26 A.
27 * * *
28 (2) Immediately after the completion of the verification by the clerk of court
29 and the counting and tabulation of provisional ballots for federal office, if applicable,
30 the board shall publicly prepare two a compiled statements statement of the election
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1 returns as shown by the record of the votes made by the clerk of court. The compiled
2 statements statement shall separately show the machine votes for each candidate and
3 for and against each proposition in each precinct, the total absentee by mail and early
4 voting votes for each candidate and for and against each proposition in the parish,
5 the total provisional votes for each candidate for federal office, and the total of all
6 votes for each candidate and for and against each proposition in the parish.
7 (3) The board shall complete the compilation of the election returns and file
8 one copy of the compiled statement with the clerk of court no later than 4:00 p.m. on
9 the fifth day after the election. One copy of the compiled statement shall be
10 postmarked The clerk of court shall transmit an electronic copy of the compiled
11 statement to the secretary of state no later than noon on the sixth day after the
12 election and mailed to the secretary of state. The clerk of court shall transmit the
13 election returns as shown by the compiled statement from the parish board of
14 election supervisors to the secretary of state no later than noon on the sixth day after
15 the election. In a parish containing a municipality with a population of three hundred
16 thousand or more, the parish board of election supervisors shall transmit the election
17 returns as shown by their compiled statement to the secretary of state no later than
18 noon on the sixth day after the election. Failure to comply with these time limits
19 shall not void the election.
20 * * *
21 §602. Vacancies in certain local and municipal offices; exceptions
22 * * *
23 E.
24 * * *
25 (2)
26 * * *
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1 (d) Within twenty-four hours Immediately after he receives the copy, the
2 secretary of state shall notify all election officials having any duty to perform in
3 connection with a special election to fill such vacancy, including the parish boards
4 of election supervisors for the parish or parishes in which the vacancy occurred.
5 * * *
6 §604. Marshal of city or municipal court; temporary absence; vacancy
7 * * *
8 B.
9 * * *
10 (2)
11 * * *
12 (c) A copy of the proclamation shall also be mailed to the secretary of state
13 who shall within twenty-four hours immediately after receipt of the information
14 notify all election officials having any duty to perform in connection with a special
15 election to fill such vacancy, including the parish board of election supervisors.
16 When a special election is required, the appointee shall serve only until the successor
17 is elected and takes office.
18 §621. Vacancy in office of judge
19 * * *
20 B. Immediately after issuance of the proclamation, the secretary of state shall
21 publish the proclamation in the official journal of each parish in which the election
22 is to be held. Within twenty-four hours after its issuance, the governor shall send a
23 copy of the proclamation to the secretary of state. Within twenty-four hours
24 Immediately after he receives the copy, the secretary of state shall notify all election
25 officials having any duty to perform in connection with a special election to fill such
26 vacancy, including the parish boards of election supervisors for the parish or parishes
27 in which the vacancy occurred.
28 * * *
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1 §1254. Slates of candidates not affiliated with a recognized political party;
2 nominating petitions and qualifying by payment of qualifying fees
3 * * *
4 C. Nominating petitions for the office of presidential elector shall be in the
5 form prescribed by R.S. 18:465(D), except that in lieu of including the recognized
6 political party with which the candidates are affiliated, the petition shall contain, in
7 not more than three words, the political principle which the candidates represent.
8 Also, in lieu of the date of the primary election for which the candidates seek to
9 qualify, the petition shall include the date of the general election. The Each sheet of
10 the petition also shall include the names of the candidate for president and the
11 candidate for vice president whom the candidates for elector support in lieu of the
12 candidate's name and domicile address; however, neither the candidate for president
13 nor the candidate for vice president supported by the slate of candidates for electors
14 shall be a candidate for that office supported by a recognized political party or by a
15 slate of candidates for elector who have previously filed a nominating petition or
16 qualified by the payment of a qualifying fee for that election. Each petition shall
17 contain a full slate of candidates for elector, one from each congressional district and
18 two from the state at large. In designating the office for which the candidate is
19 nominated, the petition shall designate the particular office of presidential elector,
20 that is, the district in which the candidate is a qualified elector if he is nominated for
21 the office for that district, or the designation "At large" in the case of the two offices
22 to be filled at large. Each nominating petition shall be accompanied by the notice
23 of candidacy and notarized affidavit of each candidate for elector signifying that the
24 certificate constitutes his acceptance of the nomination.
25 * * *
26 §1259. Arrangement of ballot; designation of party candidates
27 * * *
28 B.
29 * * *
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1 (2) Directly to the left of In addition to the names of the presidential and vice
2 presidential candidates, the following shall appear:
3 * * *
4 §1300.2. Petition for recall election; campaign finance disclosure
5 * * *
6 C.(1) Prior to the entering of any signatures on a petition, the chairman
7 designated to represent the petitioners shall file with the secretary of state a copy of
8 the recall petition which will be used and copies of a picture identification that
9 contain the name and signature of the chairman and vice chairman, respectively, or
10 copies of current utility bills, bank statements, government checks, paychecks, or
11 other government documents that show the name and address of the chairman and
12 vice chairman, respectively. Upon receipt of the recall petition, the secretary of state
13 shall provide to the chairman and vice chairman, respectively, a document prepared
14 by the secretary of state in conjunction with the Louisiana Registrars of Voters
15 Association, subject to approval as to content by the attorney general, providing
16 general information on petition requirements and deadlines. Upon receipt of the
17 recall petition, the secretary of state shall endorse certify thereon the fact and the date
18 of filing, and this unsigned copy of the recall petition shall be a public record. A
19 copy shall be transmitted by the secretary of state to the registrar of voters for each
20 parish in which the recall election is to be held. The chairman shall list on the
21 petition every parish that is wholly or partially within the voting area where the
22 recall election is to be held. The petition shall be considered filed when it is received
23 in the office of the secretary of state. Upon receipt of the recall petition, the
24 secretary of state shall produce a report of the number of qualified electors in the
25 voting area wherein the recall election is sought effective on the date of receipt of the
26 recall petition and shall notify the registrar of voters in each parish in the voting area
27 of the number of qualified electors of the voting area in the parish for issuance of the
28 certification.
29 * * *
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1 §1300.3. Certification of registrar of voters; addition or withdrawal of signatures;
2 designation as a public record; form of names
3 A.(1)
4 * * *
5 (b) The registrar of voters for each parish in the voting area may request and
6 accept the assistance of employees of the Department of State and registrars and
7 deputy registrars of voters from other parishes to complete the certification of the
8 recall petition. Each person offering such assistance shall be considered a deputy
9 registrar of the requesting parish registrar for that purpose only.
10 * * *
11 §1303. Persons entitled to vote in compliance with this Chapter
12 * * *
13 K. Secretary of state and employees. The secretary of state or an employee
14 of the secretary of state Department of State who is a qualified voter and who
15 submits to the registrar of voters of the parish where he is registered to vote a letter
16 from his supervisor on Department of State letterhead confirming his employment,
17 a paystub, or a copy of a state employee identification card may vote absentee by
18 mail upon meeting the requirements of this Chapter.
19 L. Employees of the registrar. An employee of the registrar of voters who
20 is a qualified voter registered to vote in a parish other than his parish of employment
21 and who submits to the registrar of voters of the parish where he is registered to vote
22 a letter from his employing registrar of voters confirming his employment, a paystub,
23 or a copy of an identification card showing employment with the registrar of voters
24 may vote absentee by mail upon meeting the requirements of this Chapter.
25 * * *
26 §1309. Early voting; verification
27 * * *
28 D.
29 * * *
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1 (2) If the voter's name is found in the state voter registration computer
2 system on the inactive list of voters, the voter shall be required to complete an
3 address confirmation card form to determine his eligibility to vote.
4 * * *
5 K.(1) A person qualified voter who is able to perform the essential duties of
6 a commissioner may serve as an early voting commissioner only if he has received
7 a certificate of instruction as provided in R.S. 18:431(A) and has attended a course
8 of instruction for early voting commissioners and received a certificate of instruction
9 from the registrar of voters.
10 (2) An early voting commissioner shall meet the same qualifications of a
11 commissioner as provided in R.S. 18:425(B). A person to whom one or more of the
12 following applies shall not serve as an early voting commissioner:
13 (a) The person is a candidate in the election.
14 (b) An immediate family member of the person is a candidate for election
15 to public office in the election.
16 (c) The person is marked for assistance in voting in the precinct register or
17 requires the use of the audio ballot in voting.
18 (d) The person has been convicted of an election offense enumerated in
19 Chapter 10 of this Title.
20 (e) The person is required to register as a sex offender or child predator
21 pursuant to R.S. 15:542.
22 * * *
23 N.
24 * * *
25 (5) A list of early voting watchers shall be filed with the registrar of voters
26 by hand delivery, facsimile, mail, or commercial courier before 4:30 p.m. on the
27 fourteenth tenth business day before the first day of early voting for the party
28 primary, primary, or general election; however, if the fourteenth tenth business day
29 before the first day of early voting for the party primary, primary, or general election
30 falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, the list shall be filed on the next
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1 day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday. For purposes of this
2 Paragraph, "commercial courier" shall have the same meaning as provided in R.S.
3 13:3204(D).
4 * * *
5 §1309.3. Assistance in voting during early voting
6 * * *
7 B. Persons prohibited from assisting voters during early voting.
8 * * *
9 (4)
10 * * *
11 (b) The voter, along with the person assisting the voter, shall complete a
12 voter assistance form and provide the name of the person assisting the voter and
13 attest whether the person, other than a commissioner, providing assistance was paid
14 to assist the voter. If the voter is not marked for assistance in voting in the statewide
15 voter registration database, the voter shall attest on the voter assistance form that the
16 voter has a physical disability or is unable to read and requires assistance in voting.
17 * * *
18 §1310. Execution of certificate; marking of ballot; casting vote; assistance
19 A.
20 * * *
21 (3) In order to cast a vote on an absentee by mail ballot, a voter shall make
22 a selection for a candidate or for or against a proposition by completely filling in the
23 oval to the right of a selection and returning the ballot to the registrar of voters as
24 provided in this Section within the applicable deadline set forth by law. If a voter
25 makes selections for more than the number of candidates to be elected for an office
26 or makes selections for and against the same proposition, the selections for that
27 office or proposition shall be void.
28 * * *
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1 §1313. Tabulation and counting of absentee by mail and early voting ballots
2 * * *
3 C.(1) Absentee by mail and early voting ballots shall be counted at a public
4 facility within the parish designated by the registrar of voters at a time fixed by the
5 parish board of election supervisors, which time shall be on election day no later than
6 8:00 p.m. If the time selected by the parish board of election supervisors to count
7 absentee by mail and early voting ballots is after 4:00 p.m. on election day, the
8 starttime shall be submitted to the commissioner of elections for approval no later
9 than the fourth day prior to election day.
10 * * *
11 H. The procedure for counting early voting machine ballots and paper ballots
12 voted during early voting shall be as follows:
13 * * *
14 (3) The board shall post the results from each early voting machine results
15 report for the early voting ballots, unless an early voting machine ballot has been
16 challenged pursuant to R.S. 18:1309(E)(6) or 1315.
17 * * *
18 (5) The board shall determine the validity of challenges to early voters who
19 cast a paper ballot made in accordance with R.S. 18:1315.
20 * * *
21 §1313.1. Preparation, verification, tabulation, and counting of absentee by mail and
22 early voting ballots
23 * * *
24 C.
25 * * *
26 (2) Absentee by mail and early voting ballots shall be counted at a public
27 facility within the parish designated by the registrar of voters at a time fixed by the
28 parish board of election supervisors, which time shall be on election day no later than
29 8:00 p.m. If the time selected by the parish board of election supervisors to count
30 absentee by mail and early voting ballots is after 4:00 p.m. on election day, the start
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1 time shall be submitted to the commissioner of elections for approval no later than
2 the fourth day prior to election day.
3 * * *
4 I. The procedure for counting early voting machine ballots on election day
5 shall be as follows:
6 * * *
7 (2) The board shall post the results from each early voting machine results
8 report for the early voting ballots, unless an early voting ballot has been challenged
9 pursuant to R.S. 18:1309(E)(6) or 1315.
10 * * *
11 §1314. Parish board commissioners
12 * * *
13 B. Selection for primary election.
14 * * *
15 (2) The parish board of election supervisors shall meet at 10:00 a.m. on the
16 fifth day before a primary election and shall select the parish board commissioners
17 and alternate parish board commissioners for the parish in the manner provided by
18 law for the selection of commissioners and alternate commissioners. If there are not
19 enough certified commissioners to select the appropriate number of parish board
20 commissioners and alternate parish board commissioners, the board of election
21 supervisors may select a qualified elector of the parish to serve; however, no such
22 elector shall serve as a parish board commissioner if a certified commissioner has
23 been selected as an alternate parish board commissioner.
24 * * *
25 C. Selection for general election.
26 * * *
27 (2)(a) If the parish board determines that the number of parish board
28 commissioners can be reduced, it shall notify each person who served as a parish
29 board commissioner or alternate parish board commissioner in the primary election
30 of its decision to reduce the number of parish board commissioners and of the date
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1 and time of the meeting to select the parish board commissioners for the general
2 election. The parish board shall meet at 10:00 a.m. on the fifth day before a general
3 election and shall select the parish board commissioners and alternate parish board
4 commissioners to serve in the general election for the parish.
5 * * *
6 (3) If the parish board and the secretary of state or his designee determine
7 that the number of parish board commissioners should be increased, the parish board
8 shall meet at 10:00 a.m. on the fifth day before a general election and shall select the
9 additional parish board commissioners and alternate parish board commissioners to
10 serve in the general election for that parish from the list of certified commissioners
11 who have not been chosen to serve in the general election as a
12 commissioner-in-charge, commissioner, or, if applicable, parish board commissioner
13 in the manner provided by law for the selection of commissioners and alternate
14 commissioners. If there are not enough certified commissioners to select the
15 appropriate number of parish board commissioners and alternate parish board
16 commissioners, the board of election supervisors may select a qualified elector of the
17 parish to serve; however, no such elector shall serve as a parish board commissioner
18 if a certified commissioner has been selected as an alternate parish board
19 commissioner.
20 * * *
21 §1315. Challenge of absentee by mail or early voting ballot
22 A.(1)(a) A candidate or his representative, a member of the board, or a
23 qualified elector may challenge an absentee by mail or early voting ballot for the
24 grounds specified in R.S. 18:565(A), by personally filing his written challenge with
25 the registrar no later than the fourth day before the election for which the ballot is
26 challenged. Such challenge shall be on a form provided by the secretary of state.
27 (b) A candidate or his representative, a member of the board, an early voting
28 watcher, or a qualified elector may challenge a person applying to early vote on the
29 grounds specified in R.S. 18:565(A), prior to the person casting an early voting
30 ballot. The challenged early voter shall not cast his ballot on an early voting
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1 machine, but shall be provided a paper ballot in accordance with R.S.
2 18:1309(E)(5)(b).
3 (2) A challenge made pursuant to this Subsection shall be on a form provided
4 by the secretary of state which The form shall include:
5 * * *
6 B. During the preparation and verification process for the counting of
7 absentee by mail and early voting ballots before the election, as applicable, or the
8 counting of absentee by mail and early voting ballots on election day, any candidate
9 or his representative, member of the board, or qualified elector may challenge an
10 absentee by mail or early voting paper ballot for cause, other than those grounds
11 specified in R.S. 18:565(A). Failure to include a witness's printed name or mailing
12 address on an absentee ballot certificate shall not be grounds to challenge an
13 absentee by mail ballot.
14 * * *
15 D.
16 * * *
17 (2) If a challenge in accordance with the provisions of Subsection A of this
18 Section is sustained, the vote shall not be counted; the ballot or early voting
19 confirmation sheet shall be placed in the special, secure absentee by mail and early
20 voting ballot container; and the board shall notify the voter in writing of the
21 challenge and the cause therefor. This notification shall be on a form provided by
22 the secretary of state and shall be signed by at least a majority of the members of the
23 board. The notice of the challenge and the cause therefor shall be given within four
24 business days by mail, addressed to the voter at his place of residence. The board
25 shall retain a copy of the notification. However, if the challenge is based upon a
26 change of residence within the parish or is based upon a change of residence outside
27 of the parish that has occurred within the last three months, the ballot shall be
28 counted, provided that the voter confirmed his current address as shown by the
29 affidavit of the absentee by mail ballot certificate or early voting confirmation sheet
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1 or, if the voter is on the inactive list of voters, as shown by the information provided
2 on an address confirmation notice form.
3 * * *
4 §1316. Rejection of ballot having distinguishing marks
5 * * *
6 D. The secretary of state may promulgate rules in accordance with the
7 Administrative Procedure Act necessary to effectuate the provisions and purposes
8 of this Section.
9 §1317. Curing absentee by mail ballot deficiencies; rejection of deficient ballots
10 A.(1) The secretary of state shall promulgate and adopt rules in accordance
11 with the Administrative Procedure Act as necessary to effectuate uniform and
12 standardized processes for the review and curing or rejection of deficient absentee
13 by mail ballots by the parish board of election supervisors,.
14 (2) The failure of a witness to provide his printed name or address on the
15 absentee by mail certificate shall not be deemed a deficiency requiring cure.
16 B. The secretary of state shall maintain records of all ballots rejected
17 pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 18:1315(D)(3)(a), and shall include information
18 detailing the total number of ballots rejected per parish and the reasons for their
19 rejection in the post-election statistical data published to the website of the secretary
20 of state.
21 * * *
22 §1333. Nursing home early voting program; voting by persons residing in a nursing
23 home
24 * * *
25 B. A qualified voter who resides in a nursing home within the parish in
26 which the voter is entitled to vote may vote early as provided in this Section during
27 the period extending at least two weeks prior to the beginning day for early voting
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1 through four days before election day the last day for early voting established by R.S.
2 18:1309.
3 * * *
4 G. The voting by each voter shall be accomplished in the following manner:
5 (1) The voter shall present to the registrar the letter the voter received from
6 the registrar that bears the reply number assigned as provided in Subsection E of this
7 Section. The registrar shall compare the number on the letter with the number on the
8 absentee by mail ballot envelope in his possession and, if they are identical, the
9 registrar shall hand the envelope containing the absentee by mail ballot to the voter.
10 However, if the voter is on the inactive list of voters, the voter shall complete an
11 address confirmation notice form prior to receiving the envelope containing the
12 absentee by mail ballot.
13 * * *
14 (7) Upon receipt of an address confirmation notice form, the registrar shall
15 reinstate the voter to the official list of voters.
16 * * *
17 §1367.2. Authority to resolve protested solicitations and awards
18 * * *
19 F. Stay of procurements during protests. In the event of a timely protest
20 under Subsection A of this Section, the state shall not proceed further with the
21 solicitation or with the awarding of the contract unless the chief procurement officer
22 makes a written determination that the awarding of the contract is necessary without
23 delay to protect the substantial interests of the state. Upon such determination by the
24 chief procurement officer, no court shall enjoin progress under the award except
25 after notice and hearing. Protest bond to stay procurement during protest. (1) A
26 protestant who timely protests a solicitation or an award may apply for a stay only
27 during the time period provided in Subsection A of this Section to protest a
28 solicitation or an award.
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1 (2) The protest bond and stay application shall be conducted in the manner
2 provided in R.S. 39:1671(F)(2) and (3).
3 * * *
4 §1367.11. Trial; Hearing; decision; appeal
5 A. Actions objecting to the solicitation or award of a contract pursuant to this
6 Subpart shall be tried heard summarily on the administrative record, without a jury,
7 and in open court. The trial hearing, which shall be confined to the administrative
8 record, shall begin no later than fourteen days after suit is filed.
9 * * *
10 §1371. Delivery and return of machines and supplies; contract; time of delivery
11 A.(1)(a) The secretary of state shall contract for the delivery to the voting
12 precincts of the election day machines and other election equipment and supplies for
13 which he is responsible and for their return to the storage warehouses. The
14 specifications for the contract shall be prepared by the secretary of state after
15 consultation with and approval by the parish custodian of the parish in which the
16 contract is to be performed. The contract shall be advertised and let procured in
17 accordance with the Louisiana Procurement Code. The governing authority of the
18 parish or municipality in which the voting machines are to be used may submit bids
19 and be awarded contracts for the drayage of the voting machines.
20 (b) The secretary of state may contract for delivery the week prior to the
21 beginning of early voting until no later than 11:59 p.m. on the day before early
22 voting begins for an election, in the parishes that have three or more early voting
23 locations, of the voting machines and other election equipment and supplies for
24 which he is responsible and for their return to the offices of the registrars of voters
25 or the location designated by the registrar of voters within twenty-four hours of the
26 end of early voting. The specifications for the contract shall be prepared by the
27 secretary of state after consultation with and approval by the registrar of voters of the
28 parish in which the contract is to be performed. The contract shall be advertised and
29 let procured in accordance with the Louisiana Procurement Code. The governing
30 authority of the parish or municipality in which the voting machines are to be used
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1 may submit bids and be awarded contracts for the drayage of the early voting
2 machines.
3 (2) If the secretary of state seeks to award a contract by competitive sealed
4 bidding, in In addition to all other notices and advertisements for bids required, the
5 secretary of state shall furnish notice of the invitation for bids at least thirty days
6 prior to the opening of bids for each contract for the delivery of machines to the early
7 voting locations or voting precincts for a parish in the following manner:
8 * * *
9 §1401. Objections to candidacy; contests of elections; contests of certification of
10 recall petition; parties authorized to institute actions; penalties
11 * * *
12 G. A qualified elector may bring an action objecting to the placement of a
13 constitutional amendment on a ballot.
14 H. Upon a determination that a candidate knowingly attested to false
15 information in a notice of candidacy, the court shall assess court costs and attorney
16 fees, and the court may impose any other sanctions the court deems appropriate
17 against the candidate.
18 §1402. Proper parties
19 * * *
20 B.(1) The following persons are the proper parties against whom election
21 contests shall be instituted:
22 (a) The secretary of state, in his official capacity, when contesting an
23 election on any proposed amendment to the constitution or when contesting the
24 placement of a constitutional amendment on a ballot.
25 * * *
26 §1405. Time for commencement of action
27 A. An action objecting to candidacy shall be instituted no earlier than the day
28 the candidate submits his notice of candidacy to the qualifying official and no not
29 later than 4:30 p.m. of the seventh day after the close of qualifications for candidates
30 in the primary election. After the expiration of the time period set forth in this
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1 Section, no further action shall be commenced objecting to candidacy based on the
2 grounds for objections to candidacy contained in R.S. 18:492.
3 B. An action contesting any election involving election to office shall be
4 instituted no earlier than the day after the date of the election and no not later than
5 4:30 p.m. of the ninth day after the date of the election, and no such contest shall be
6 declared moot because of the performance or nonperformance of a ministerial
7 function including but not limited to matters relating to the printing of ballots for the
8 general election.
9 C.(1) An action contesting an election on a proposed constitutional
10 amendment shall be instituted no earlier than the day after the election and not no
11 later than 4:30 p.m. of the tenth day after promulgation of the results of the election
12 by the secretary of state.
13 (2) An action objecting to the placement of a constitutional amendment on
14 a ballot shall be instituted no earlier than the date of the final passage of the joint
15 resolution calling the election and no later than 4:30 p.m. of the thirtieth day after
16 final passage of the legislative instrument calling the election.
17 D. An action contesting an election submitting a proposition to the voters,
18 except a constitutional amendment or a proposition covered by Subsection Paragraph
19 (C)(2) or Subsection E of this Section, shall be instituted no earlier than the day after
20 the date of the election and no not later than 4:30 p.m. of the thirtieth day after the
21 official promulgation of the results of the election.
22 E. An action contesting an election on a proposition submitted to the voters
23 relating to the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, assuming an indebtedness, or
24 levying a tax shall be instituted no earlier than the day after the date of the election
25 and no not later than 4:30 p.m. of the sixtieth day after official promulgation of the
26 results. If the legality of the election, the bond issue provided for, the tax authorized,
27 or the assumption of indebtedness is not contested within the sixty days herein
28 prescribed, the authority to incur the debt, levy the tax, or issue the bonds, the
29 legality thereof, and the taxes and other revenues necessary to pay the same shall be
30 conclusively presumed to be valid and no court thereafter shall have authority to
31 inquire into such matters.
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1 F. An action contesting the certification of a recall petition shall be instituted
2 after the certification of the recall petition as provided in R.S. 18:1300.3 and not later
3 than 4:30 p.m. of the fifteenth day after the governor has issued the proclamation
4 ordering the recall election or not later than 4:30 p.m. of the fifteenth day after the
5 last day for the governor to call the election if no recall election is called.
6 G. Except as provided in Paragraph (C)(1) of this Section, an An action
7 objecting to the calling of a special election shall be instituted no earlier than the day
8 after the date the election is called and no not later than 4:30 p.m. of the fourteenth
9 day after the calling of the election date the election is called.
10 H. An action contesting any election involving the recall of a public officer
11 shall be instituted no earlier than the day after the date of the election and no not later
12 than 4:30 p.m. of the ninth day after the date of the election.
13 * * *
14 §1413. Computation of time
15 Computation of all time intervals in this Chapter shall include Sundays and
16 other legal holidays. However, if the time interval ends on a Sunday or other legal
17 holiday, then noon 4:30 p.m. of the next legal day shall be deemed to be the end of
18 the time interval.
19 * * *
20 §1922.2. Approval of reapportionment plan by local election officials
21 * * *
22 B.
23 * * *
24 (2) The registrar of voters and clerk of court shall review and confirm in
25 writing the ability to conduct an election utilizing the proposed plan.
26 (3) The local governing body shall submit to the secretary of state in
27 accordance with timetables in this Section, the written report received by the local
28 governing body.
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1 Section 2. R.S. 18:107(H) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
2 §107. Party affiliation for registration; change in party affiliation
3 * * *
4 H. A person who is registered as or who applies for registration as
5 "unaffiliated" shall have his party affiliation changed to "no party".
6 Section 3. R.S. 18:154(C)(1)(h) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
7 §154. Records open to inspection; copying; exceptions
8 * * *
9 C.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, the
10 registrar, the clerk of court, the Department of State, the office of motor vehicles of
11 the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and any entity that contracts with
12 the office, each voter registration agency and any entity that contracts with a voter
13 registration agency, and any person who handles the voter registration application
14 form of another person shall be prohibited from circulating on a commercial list or
15 otherwise disclosing the following:
16 * * *
17 (h) The voter registration application and any information contained on the
18 voter registration application of any person who is sixteen or seventeen years of age,
19 except that the voter registration information of a person who is seventeen years of
20 age may appear in a precinct register when that person will be eighteen years of age
21 within seven days before an election day.
22 * * *
23 Section 4. R.S. 18:402(G)(1) as amended and reenacted by Act No. 640 of the 2024
24 Regular Session of the Legislature shall supercede R.S. 18:402(G)(1) as amended and
25 reenacted by Act No. 386 of the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislature.
26 Section 5. R.S. 18:2(9) and 154(F)(8) are hereby amended and reenacted to read as
27 follows:
28 §2. Definitions
29 As used in this Code, the following words and terms shall have the meanings
30 hereinafter ascribed to each, unless the context clearly indicates another meaning:
31 * * *
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1 (9) "Party primary office" means an office of senator or representative in the
2 United States Congress, justice of the supreme court, the State Board of Elementary
3 and Secondary Education, and the Public Service Commission.
4 * * *
5 §154. Records open to inspection; copying; exceptions
6 * * *
7 F. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, the
8 registrar, the clerk of court, and the Department of State shall be prohibited from
9 disclosing the following:
10 * * *
11 (8) Votes that are void because of the death of a candidate pursuant to R.S.
12 18:469, withdrawal of a candidate pursuant to R.S. 18:502, resignation of a public
13 officer subject to a recall election pursuant to R.S. 18:1300.7, or disqualification of
14 a candidate pursuant to R.S. 18:1410, or cancellation of an election for an office or
15 proposition.
16 * * *
17 Section 6. R.S. 18:2(9) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
18 §2. Definitions
19 As used in this Code, the following words and terms shall have the meanings
20 hereinafter ascribed to each, unless the context clearly indicates another meaning:
21 * * *
22 (9) "Party primary office" means an office of senator or representative in the
23 United States Congress, justice of the supreme court, the State Board of Elementary
24 and Secondary Education, and the Public Service Commission.
25 * * *
26 Section 7.(A)(1) The May 16, 2026, and June 27, 2026, party primary elections for
27 representative in the United States Congress are hereby cancelled. Notwithstanding any
28 provision of the Louisiana Election Code to the contrary, votes cast in the May 16, 2026, or
29 June 27, 2026, party primary election for representative in the United States Congress shall
30 be void and not counted. No election official, as defined in R.S. 18:1466, shall disclose votes
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1 cast in the May 16, 2026, or June 27, 2026, party primary election for representative in the
2 United States Congress.
3 (2) The secretary of state shall remit to each candidate the state portion of the
4 qualifying fee, as provided for in R.S. 18:464(B)(1), and the additional qualifying fee, as
5 provided for in R.S. 18:464(B)(5), that the candidate paid to qualify for the May 16, 2026,
6 and June 27, 2026, party primary elections for representative in the United States Congress.
7 The secretary of state shall cancel any nominating petition received for the May 16, 2026,
8 and June 27, 2026, party primary elections for representative in the United States Congress.
9 (B) Candidates for representative in the United States Congress shall be elected at
10 the open primary election to be held on November 3, 2026, and the open general election to
11 be held on December 12, 2026.
12 (C)(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 18:467, the qualifying period for all
13 candidates in the 2026 fall primary election, including candidates for representative in the
14 United States Congress, shall begin on August 5, 2026. The qualifying period for such
15 candidates shall close at 4:30 p.m. on August 7, 2026.
16 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 18:465(C)(3)(b), the number of qualified
17 voters who must timely sign a nominating petition for a candidate for representative in the
18 United States Congress for the 2026 congressional election shall be two hundred fifty.
19 Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 18:465(D), the nominating petition shall not be
20 required to set forth the congressional district for which a candidate for representative in the
21 United States Congress seeks to qualify until the petition is submitted to the registrar of
22 voters. A qualified voter may sign the nominating petition beginning on the effective date
23 of this Section. The nominating petition shall be submitted to the registrar of voters no later
24 than July 9, 2026.
25 Section 8.(A) Section 1 of this Act shall become effective August 1, 2026.
26 (B) Section 2 of this Act shall become effective September 1, 2026.
27 (C) Section 3 of this Act shall become effective February 1, 2027.
28 (D) Section 6 of this Act shall become effective January 1, 2027.
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1 (E) Sections 4, 5, and 7 and this Section of this Act shall become effective upon
2 signature by the governor or, if not signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for
3 bills to become law without signature by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section
4 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved
5 by the legislature, Sections 4, 5, and 7 and this Section of this Act shall become effective on
6 the day following such approval.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED:
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