La. Rev. Stat. § 18:446 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 446
Candidates for membership on political party committees; method of qualifying for a primary election
Status: in_force

A. Candidates for membership on a political party committee are not classified as local candidates. However, a person who desires to become a candidate for membership on a political party committee shall qualify for a primary election by filing the required qualification papers in the manner provided in Part IV of this Chapter for persons who desire to become local candidates.

B. If the committee membership is voted on throughout an entire parish, the candidates shall qualify in the same manner as candidates for a parochial office; if the committee membership is voted on in a special election district, the candidates shall qualify in the same manner as candidates for a district office; and if the committee membership is voted on in a police jury ward or the equivalent subdivision in parishes which have no police jury wards, the candidates shall qualify in the same manner as candidates for a ward office.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1301 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1301
Applicability
Status: in_force

This Chapter provides a method of voting by absentee by mail and early voting ballot in primary and general elections, bond elections, tax elections, and special elections, which is in addition to the methods otherwise provided in this Title.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.

NOTE: See Acts 2005, No. 220, §3, relative to prohibition on Dept. of State disposing of election materials in implementation of early voting.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1435 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1435
Votes reported due to tabulation error; determination of result
Status: in_force

When the court finds that one or more of the reported votes in a contested election are the result of an error in tabulation by an election official and the judge can accurately assess which are the correct votes, the judge shall correct the vote totals accordingly. Thereafter, and after considering all the evidence, the court shall determine the result of the election.

Acts 2004, No. 526, §2, eff. June 25, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:536 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 536
Notice of change of location of polling place
Status: in_force

A. When a parish governing authority or parish president, in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 18:534, changes the location of a polling place during the period commencing on the date that the qualifying period opens and ending on the date of the general election or during the period commencing on the forty-sixth day prior to an election and ending on the day of the election for an election date exclusively for bond, tax, or other propositions or questions, the governing authority shall give adequate notice of the change of the location and the reason for the change to each voter registered to vote at that polling place and to each candidate to be voted on at that polling place, if applicable, in the following manner:

(1) Each candidate shall be given immediate notice by telephone and by certified mail of the new location of the polling place.

(2) A sign shall be posted at the former polling place directing voters to the new location of the polling place.

(3) An employee of the parish governing authority shall be stationed at the former polling place for the purpose of directing potential voters to the new location of the polling place. The eligibility requirements provided in R.S. 18:1354(C) for appointment as a deputy parish custodian of voting machines are applicable to the employee. Such employee shall be required to take the constitutional oath or affirmation. The clerk of court shall administer the oath.

(4) If reasonable time exists, the notice of the change in location shall be published by the parish governing authority in the official journal of the parish and in any other newspaper of general circulation in the precinct or precincts affected. Publication of the notice shall appear under the heading, NOTICE OF CHANGE OF POLLING PLACE.

B. The governing authority may take such other reasonable steps as it deems necessary or desirable to inform the voters and the candidates of the change in location, including but not limited to posting notices on utility poles and advertisements in the electronic media.

C. The governing authority shall inform the secretary of state of all polling place location changes and the reason for each change. The secretary of state shall list polling place location changes and the reason for each change as provided by the governing authority on his website in a sortable format. A parish registrar of voters or clerk of court that maintains a website may publish a list of polling place location changes within the parish and the reason for each change on his website and provide a clearly visible link to the list on the secretary of state's website. Each website shall also include instructions on how a voter may subscribe to receive electronic notifications of polling place location changes.

Acts 1978, No. 580, §2; Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 2015, No. 307, §1, eff. June 29, 2015; Acts 2022, No. 652, §1, eff. Oct. 15, 2022; Acts 2024, No. 470, §1, eff. July 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.13 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.13
Declaration of vacancy; prohibitions
Status: in_force

A. When the majority is in favor of the recall, the public officer is, ipso facto, recalled and removed from office, and the office shall be vacated upon expiration of the time period for contesting the recall election set forth in R.S. 18:1405(H) if an action contesting the recall election is not commenced timely or when the final judgment becomes definitive if an action contesting the recall election is commenced timely, and the office shall be filled as in the case of ordinary vacancies and according to the constitution and laws of the state.

B.(1) A public officer who has been recalled and removed from office shall not be appointed to succeed himself in the office from which he was recalled and removed.

(2)(a) A public officer who has been recalled and removed from office shall be ineligible as a candidate at an election called to fill the vacancy created by the recall of such public officer.

(b) If the recalled public officer was removed from office as a member of the governing authority of a municipality governed by Part I of Chapter 2 of Title 33 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, he shall also be ineligible as a candidate at an election to fill a vacancy on the governing authority that is held prior to the next regularly scheduled election for members of the governing authority following the recall of the public officer.

Amended by Acts 1979, No. 229, §2, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2014, No. 690, §1; Acts 2015, No. 50, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1405 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1405
Time for commencement of action
Status: in_force

A. An action objecting to candidacy shall be instituted not later than 4:30 p.m. of the seventh day after the close of qualifications for candidates in the primary election. After the expiration of the time period set forth in this Section, no further action shall be commenced objecting to candidacy based on the grounds for objections to candidacy contained in R.S. 18:492.

B. An action contesting any election involving election to office shall be instituted not later than 4:30 p.m. of the ninth day after the date of the election, and no such contest shall be declared moot because of the performance or nonperformance of a ministerial function including but not limited to matters relating to the printing of ballots for the general election.

C. An action contesting an election on a proposed constitutional amendment shall be instituted no earlier than the day after the election and not later than 4:30 p.m. of the tenth day after promulgation of the results of the election by the secretary of state.

D. An action contesting an election submitting a proposition to the voters, except a constitutional amendment or a proposition covered by Subsection E of this Section, shall be instituted not later than 4:30 p.m. of the thirtieth day after the official promulgation of the results of the election.

E. An action contesting an election on a proposition submitted to the voters relating to the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, assuming an indebtedness, or levying a tax shall be instituted not later than 4:30 p.m. of the sixtieth day after official promulgation of the results. If the legality of the election, the bond issue provided for, the tax authorized, or the assumption of indebtedness is not contested within the sixty days herein prescribed, the authority to incur the debt, levy the tax, or issue the bonds, the legality thereof, and the taxes and other revenues necessary to pay the same shall be conclusively presumed to be valid and no court thereafter shall have authority to inquire into such matters.

F. An action contesting the certification of a recall petition shall be instituted after the certification of the recall petition as provided in R.S. 18:1300.3 and not later than 4:30 p.m. of the fifteenth day after the governor has issued the proclamation ordering the recall election or not later than 4:30 p.m. of the fifteenth day after the last day for the governor to call the election if no recall election is called.

G. An action objecting to the calling of a special election shall be instituted not later than 4:30 p.m. of the fourteenth day after the calling of the election.

H. An action contesting any election involving the recall of a public officer shall be instituted not later than 4:30 p.m. of the ninth day after the date of the election.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 523, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1982, No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; Acts 1984, No. 712, §1, eff. July 13, 1984; Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1992, No. 949, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2004, No. 526, §2, eff. June 25, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2007, No. 448, §1; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2010, No. 621, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:410.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 410.5
Nominating petitions
Status: in_force

A. A person may be nominated as a candidate in a party primary election only by persons who are affiliated with the same major political party, who are qualified to vote on the office he seeks, and who sign a nominating petition for him no more than one hundred twenty days before the qualifying period opens for candidates in the party primary election. The registrar of voters shall reject any signature on a nominating petition not in compliance with this Section.

B. Except as provided in Subsection A of this Section, the provisions of R.S. 18:465 apply to the nominating petition of a party primary candidate.

Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2024, No. 640, §2, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §2, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:452 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 452
Classification of candidates
Status: in_force

Candidates are classified according to the character of the office they seek and are designated as follows:

(1) State candidates are candidates for offices voted on throughout the state or throughout a congressional district, justice of the supreme court, judge of a court of appeal, and candidates for membership on a state board or commission.

(2) Local candidates are candidates for the state legislature and other district offices not included in Paragraph (1) of this Section; parochial offices, including the office of parish judge; and ward offices.

(3) Municipal candidates are candidates for city, town, and village offices.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.22 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.22
Calling of gaming elections as required by the constitution
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, except as otherwise permitted in Subsection B of this Section, any election required by Article XII, Section 6(C) of the Constitution of Louisiana may be called only by an enactment of the legislature which specifically authorizes each such election.

B. If the election is required by Article XII, Section 6(C)(2) of the Constitution of Louisiana, then such an election may be called either by law or by the adoption of a resolution or ordinance of the governing authority of the parish in which such an election would be required provided the license to conduct such riverboat gaming has been approved, subject to the outcome of the election, by the Gaming Control Board prior to the authorization for the election. The election authorized by this Subsection shall only apply to those parishes in which a majority of the electors of the parish voted to permit riverboat gaming in the election authorized in R.S. 18:1300.21, and conducted at the 1996 congressional general election.

Acts 1997, No. 1235, §1, eff. July 15, 1997.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1401 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1401
Objections to candidacy; contests of elections; contests of certification of recall petition; parties authorized to institute actions; penalties
Status: in_force

A.(1) A qualified elector may bring an action objecting to the candidacy of a person who qualified as a candidate in a primary election for an office in which the plaintiff is qualified to vote.

(2) A qualified elector may bring an action objecting to the candidacy of a person who is unaffiliated with a recognized political party pursuant to R.S. 18:441(C) who qualified as a candidate in a general election for a party primary office in which the plaintiff is qualified to vote.

B. A candidate who alleges that, except for substantial irregularities or error, or except for fraud or other unlawful activities in the conduct of the election, the candidate would have qualified for a second party primary or general election or would have been elected may bring an action contesting the election.

C. A person in interest may bring an action contesting any election in which any proposition is submitted to the voters if he alleges that except for irregularities or fraud in the conduct of an election the result would have been different.

D. A qualified elector may bring an action objecting to the calling of a special election to fill a vacancy if he alleges that no special election should have been called or that the special election was called on an improper day.

E.(1) A public officer whose recall is sought may bring an action contesting the certification of the recall petition certified pursuant to R.S. 18:3 and Chapter 6-C of this Title.

(2) The chairman or vice chairman listed on the recall petition may bring an action contesting the certification of the recall petition certified pursuant to R.S. 18:3 and Chapter 6-C of this Title.

F. A public officer who alleges that except for substantial irregularities or error or except for fraud or other unlawful activities in the conduct of the election he would not have been recalled may bring an action contesting the election.

G. Upon a determination that a candidate knowingly attested to false information in a notice of candidacy, the court shall assess court costs and attorney fees, and the court may impose any other sanctions the court deems appropriate against the candidate.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1980, No. 564, §1, eff. July 23, 1980; Acts 1989, No. 662, §8, eff. July 7, 1989; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2010, No. 621, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2024, No. 640, §§1, 2, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 80, §1, eff. June 4, 2025; Acts 2025, No. 386, §§ 3, 4, 7, eff. June 20, 2025 .
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:19 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 19
Contracts for storage of voting machines; public bid; negotiation
Status: in_force

A.(1) Each contract entered into by the secretary of state for the lease of any building or portion thereof for the storage of voting machines shall be advertised and awarded to the lowest responsible bidder in accordance with the applicable provisions of R.S. 39:1551 et seq. For the purposes of advertising, awarding, and administering contracts for the lease of space for the storage of voting machines, the secretary of state may utilize any applicable procurement regulation promulgated in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act by the commissioner of administration.

(2) In addition to all other notices and advertisements for bids required, the secretary of state shall furnish notice of the invitation for bids at least thirty days prior to the opening of bids for each contract for the storage of voting machines for a parish in the following manner:

(a) Publish notice of the invitation for bids in a newspaper of general circulation printed in such parish, or if there is no newspaper printed in such parish, in a newspaper printed in the nearest parish, that has a general circulation in the parish covered by the contract.

(b) Send such notice to the clerk of court for such parish who shall prominently post such notice in his office.

(c) Notify the parish governing authority for such parish of the contract and that such parish governing authority is allowed to bid on such contract.

(3) Contracts for the lease of space for storage of voting machines may be entered into on a parish or regional basis with a storage facility in each parish. If a single contract provides for the storage of voting machines for more than one parish, then the notices required by this Subsection shall be provided in each parish covered by such contract in accordance with this Subsection and there shall be a storage facility in each such parish.

B.(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section or any other provision of law to the contrary, the secretary of state may modify any existing lease between the department and a lessor by negotiation, if the following conditions exist:

(a) Additional storage space is required in order to accommodate an increase in the number of voting machines due to an increase in population of the affected parish.

(b) Additional storage space is required in order to accommodate voting machines of a different configuration than the voting machines stored under the original lease agreement.

(2) No modification to a lease through negotiation shall be made the effect of which increases the existing price per square foot by more than twenty-five percent, and no modification to a lease through negotiation shall be made in the first two years or the last two years of the term of any such lease.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2001, No. 451, §1, eff. Jan. 12, 2004.

NOTE: See Acts 2001, No. 451, §8(A), relative to effective date.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:106 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 106
Physical disability; inability to write English; language minority groups; execution of documents; assistance
Status: in_force

A. Upon the request of an applicant for registration or for any registered voter, without any formality, the registrar shall assist such person in the filling and execution of an application, affidavit, or other form or document governed by the voter registration laws. Any person authorized to accept voter registration applications shall assist such person in the completion and execution of an application used for registration, change of address, or change of name.

B. If the person requesting assistance has a physical disability or is unable to read or write English, the registrar or any person authorized to accept voter registration applications shall assist the person by reading the documents to him and by executing the documents by writing what the person dictates. If the applicant or voter does not speak English adequately for such dictation, the dictation shall be given and taken through an interpreter. If the applicant or voter is able to sign his name to the document, he shall do so. If he is unable to sign his name, he shall sign with his mark in the presence of two witnesses, who shall sign as witnesses to his mark.

C.(1) If subsequent to registration a voter acquires a physical disability and needs assistance in voting, he shall notify the appropriate registrar in person or by mail and shall furnish the registrar proof of disability.

(2) For purposes of this Subsection proof of disability means one of the following:

(a) A certificate of a medical doctor, optometrist, physician assistant as defined in R.S. 37:1360.22, or nurse practitioner as defined in R.S. 37:913 certifying to the irremediable nature of the physical disability.

(b) A copy of a current mobility impairment identification card bearing a photograph of the voter and the international symbol of accessibility issued by the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections as authorized by R.S. 47:463.4.

(c) A copy of current documentation showing eligibility for social security disability benefits, veteran's disability benefits, paratransit services, benefits from the office for citizens with developmental disabilities, or benefits from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services.

(d) A completed and signed voter registration application attesting that the voter has a physical disability and requires assistance in voting.

(3) If notifying the registrar by mail, in addition to notice and proof of disability, the voter shall furnish the registrar a copy of his Louisiana driver's license, his Louisiana special identification card issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1321, or other generally recognized picture identification card that contains the name and signature of the voter, or a form on which the person has listed the names and addresses of at least two persons residing in his precinct who could make oath, if required, to the effect that the person is physically disabled. If he is unable to sign his name to the notice sent by mail, he shall sign it with his mark witnessed by the signatures of two witnesses.

(4) The failure of a voter to comply with this Subsection, or the furnishing of notice and proof during the time that the registration records are closed, shall not deprive the voter of his right to vote and to receive assistance in voting if he complies with the requirements of the laws governing the conduct of elections with respect to assistance to voters in casting their votes.

D. If an applicant for registration or registered voter is a member of a language minority group, as determined under the federal Voting Rights Act that entitles the applicant to registration notices, forms, instructions, materials, information, or other assistance in the language applicable to his language minority group, the registrar or any person authorized to accept voter registration applications shall supply such materials, information, and assistance in conformity with the federal Voting Rights Act.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2009, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2014, No. 811, §9, eff. June 23, 2014; Acts 2017, No. 201, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2018; Acts 2020, No. 28, §1, eff. June 4, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.33 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.33
Appropriate local governing authority to order election
Status: in_force

A. If the required number of qualified electors within the subdivision or subdivisions proposing the creation of a district and the levy of a parcel fee sign the petition, the appropriate local governing authority may adopt a resolution ordering an election within such area for the purpose of creating the district and approving the levy of the parcel fee in the manner provided for in Chapter 6-A of this Title. Such election shall occur only in a congressional general election or gubernatorial primary election; however, in a parish containing a municipality with a population of three hundred thousand or more, such election shall occur only in a gubernatorial primary election.

B. At least thirty days prior to such election, the local governing authority calling the election shall mail notification of the upcoming election to each registered voter in the proposed district and each owner of a parcel in the proposed district if the owner is not a registered voter. No other election shall be required except as provided by this Section.

Acts 2008, No. 930, §1, eff. July 15, 2008; Acts 2013, No. 318, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:59.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 59.1
Payment of state portion of salaries and expenses of registrars; secretary of state
Status: in_force

A. All monies made available from state funds for the payment of the state portion of the salaries and expenses of registrars of voters and their confidential assistants, deputy registrars, and other personnel shall be appropriated to and be paid to each such person by the secretary of state in accordance with each appropriation for the purpose. The secretary of state shall include in his annual budget an amount necessary for the purpose, and the monies so appropriated shall be withdrawn from the treasury upon warrants drawn by the secretary of state and payments therefrom shall be made in accordance with applicable law.

B, C. Repealed by Acts 1985, No. 754, §2.

Added by Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978; Acts 1985, No. 754, §2; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1258 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1258
Vacancy in nomination; procedure; death of candidate
Status: in_force

A vacancy by reason of death or withdrawal among the slate of candidates for the office of presidential elector nominated by a recognized political party, whether by a convention or otherwise, shall be filled in the manner which shall be provided by the state central committee of the party. In all other cases, if the candidate who withdrew or died is elected, the remaining presidential electors who are elected shall vote to fill the vacancy as provided in R.S. 18:1264.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 588, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1406 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1406
Petition; answer; notification
Status: in_force

A. An action objecting to the calling of a special election, objecting to candidacy, contesting the certification of a recall petition, or contesting an election shall be instituted by filing a petition in a court of competent jurisdiction and venue and posting a copy of the petition in a conspicuous place at the entrance of the office of the clerk of court where the petition is filed.

B. The petition shall set forth in specific detail the facts upon which the objection or contest is based. If the action contests an election involving election to office, the petition shall allege that except for substantial irregularities or error, fraud, or other unlawful activities in the conduct of the election, the petitioner would have qualified for a second party primary or general election or would have been elected. If the action contests an election involving the recall of a public officer, the petition shall allege that except for substantial irregularities or error, fraud, or other unlawful activities in the conduct of the election, the petitioner would not have been recalled. The trial judge may allow the filing of amended pleadings for good cause shown and in the interest of justice.

C. The defendant shall be served with citation directing him to appear in court no later than 10:00 a.m. on the fourth day after suit was filed, subject, however, to the provisions of R.S. 18:1408. The defendant is not required to answer the petition, but if the defendant answers, the defendant shall do so prior to trial.

D. The clerk of court shall immediately notify the secretary of state by telephone and by written notice sent by electronic mail or facsimile when an action objecting to the calling of a special election, objecting to candidacy, contesting the certification of a recall petition, or contesting an election has been filed.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1985, No. 754, §1; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2010, No. 621, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2020, No. 28, §1, eff. June 4, 2020; Acts 2024, No. 390, §1; Acts 2024, No. 640, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §4, eff. June 20, 2025 .
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1280.22 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1280.22
Candidates; procedure for qualifying
Status: in_force

A. Candidates for presidential nominee shall qualify in accordance with procedures established by the party. Prior to qualification as a candidate of a political party for presidential nominee, a person shall pay a qualifying fee of one thousand dollars and any additional fees as authorized by R.S. 18:464(B)(5) and (C) or shall have obtained a nominating petition, bearing the handwritten signatures of no less than one thousand registered voters affiliated with the party from each of the congressional districts into which the state is divided. If the candidate is qualifying by paying a fee, the fee shall be paid in cash, by certified or cashier's check drawn on a state or national bank or credit union, by United States postal money order, or by a money order issued by a state or national bank or credit union.

B.(1) The qualifying period for presidential candidates shall open and close as provided in Chapter 5 of this Title. During the qualifying period, presidential candidates shall file notices of candidacy with the secretary of state.

(2)(a) A notice of candidacy shall be in writing and shall state the candidate's name, the office he seeks, the address of his domicile, and the political party with which he is registered as being affiliated. The political party with which the candidate was affiliated at the time of qualifying is the one which shall appear on the ballot, even if the candidate changes his political party designation after he qualified for the election.

(b) The candidate shall designate in the notice the form in which his name shall be printed on the ballot. The candidate may designate his given, first, and middle name, the initials of his given, first, and middle name, a nickname, or any combination thereof as the form in which his name shall be printed on the ballot. However, he shall not designate a title, designation, or deceptive name, nor shall he designate an occupational or professional description or abbreviation. If the candidate designates a nickname in the place of or in combination with his given name or the initials thereof, the nickname shall be set off with quotation marks and shall be placed immediately preceding his surname. A candidate shall include his surname in his designation of the form in which his name shall be printed on the ballot.

(c) The notice of candidacy also shall include a certificate signed by the candidate, certifying that he has read the notice of his candidacy and that all of the statements contained therein are true and correct. The certificate shall be executed before a notary public. If the candidate is serving outside the state with the armed forces of the United States, his notice of candidacy shall be witnessed by a commissioned officer in the armed forces of the United States.

(d) A notice of candidacy shall be accompanied by the qualifying fee and any additional fee imposed or a nominating petition.

(3)(a) Each sheet of a nominating petition shall set forth the name of the presidential candidate, as it shall appear on the election ballot, the address of the candidate, the political party with which he is affiliated, and the date of the presidential primary.

(b) Each voter who signs a nominating petition shall include his name and residence address.

(c) All persons who obtained signatures shall certify that to the best of their knowledge, information, and belief all of the signatures on the nominating petition are genuine, and all of the statements contained in the petition are true and correct.

(d) A nominating petition shall be submitted to the registrars of voters in the parishes where the signers reside not less than thirty days before the end of the qualifying period.

(e) The registrar for each parish shall endorse upon the nominating petitions, whether original or supplemental, the date and time of submission and shall promptly certify the nominating petitions, in the order received, by determining and certifying on each nominating petition which of the signers are registered to vote in the parish. A registrar may stop certifying the signatures on a nominating petition when the total number of the signers he has certified as having signed the petition timely and as being registered to vote equals fifteen percent more than the number of registered voters required from the congressional district. A registrar's certification shall be conclusive as to number of qualified voters who timely signed a nominating petition, and evidence to the contrary shall not be admitted in an action objecting to the candidacy of a presidential candidate filing the nominating petition.

C.(1)(a) Any person who qualifies as a candidate for presidential nominee may withdraw his candidacy by filing a notice of his withdrawal that is signed by the candidate and duly acknowledged before an officer authorized to administer oaths. The notice of withdrawal shall be filed prior to 4:30 p.m. on the seventh day after the close of the qualifying period with the secretary of state, who shall note thereon the date it was filed.

(b) The secretary of state shall not accept a statement of withdrawal that does not satisfy the requirements of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph. 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.

(2) A notice of withdrawal filed in accordance with the provisions of Subparagraph (1)(a) of this Subsection shall become effective when it is filed with the secretary of state. The effect of the withdrawal shall be as provided in R.S. 18:502.

Acts 1979, No. 684, §1, eff. Dec. 1, 1979; S.C.R. No. 4, 1983 2nd Ex. Sess; Acts 1984, No. 673, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 35, §1, eff. June 17, 1986; Acts 1986, No. 427, §1; Acts 1987, No. 831, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1992, No. 944, §1; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 1032, §7; Acts 2004, No. 526, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2004, No. 604, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2006, No. 845, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2011, No. 293, §1; Acts 2015, No. 307, §1, eff. June 29, 2015; Acts 2015, No. 410, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; Acts 2021, No. 381, §1, eff. June 17, 2021; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023; Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2024, No. 640, §2, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 213, §§ 1, 2, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §§3, 7, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1922.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1922.2
Approval of reapportionment plan by local election officials
Status: in_force

A. Prior to the adoption of any local redistricting or reapportionment plan, a local governing body shall submit the proposed plan to the parish registrar of voters and clerk of court for review. If the local governing body utilizes a demographer to produce the proposed plan, the demographer shall be available to the registrar of voters and clerk of court to conduct their review. If the local governing body utilizes a geographic information system to develop its redistricting plan, it shall submit the proposed plan to the registrar of voters and clerk of court electronically in a geospacial shape file or an ASCII, comma delimited block equivalency import file which indicates the census block assignments in accordance with its redistricting plan.

B.(1) The registrar of voters shall review and confirm that each district of the proposed plan assigns all of the geography of the affected area without omission or duplication. If the proposed plan utilizes precincts, the registrar shall confirm the proposed plan utilizes the most current precincts established by the parish governing authority pursuant to R.S. 18:532 and 532.1.

(2) The registrar of voters and clerk of court shall review and confirm the ability to conduct an election utilizing the proposed plan.

Acts 2025, No. 199, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1400.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1400.7
Election expenses
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, on and after January 1, 1997, the parish governing authority shall be responsible for all election expenses incurred in any precinct which is not in compliance with the provisions of R.S. 18:532(B)(4) and shall reimburse the state for any such costs.

Acts 1995, No. 552, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:156 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 156
Alteration, defacing, destruction, or removal of records
Status: in_force

Except as provided by law, no registrar, deputy, or employee of a registrar, or any person having access to or the right of inspection, copying, or photographing of any book, card, record, or other document pertaining to the registration of voters, shall alter, add to, deface, or destroy any such document, or remove it from the custody of the registrar. However, nothing in this Section prevents a competent court from requiring the registrar to produce in court, in any proceeding pending therein, any document, book, card, or record which the court believes to be necessary and material to the determination of the proceeding. However, such documents shall not become permanent records of the court, but shall be returned to the custody of the registrar immediately after inspection by the court. The court may require a photostatic copy thereof to be placed in the record.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:64 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 64
Attorney general as legal adviser to registrar
Status: in_force

The attorney general shall be the attorney and legal adviser to each registrar. However, he may designate the appropriate district attorney to represent a registrar or, with respect to a particular matter he may authorize a registrar to employ special counsel and, subject to approval of the attorney general, fix his compensation, which shall be paid by the parish governing authority.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1291 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1291
Voting
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, voting machines shall be used and the election laws of this state applicable to other elections held under this Title shall govern the conduct of the voting in elections held under this Chapter.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 545, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:175 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 175
Voting list from Department of State
Status: in_force

A. Whenever any authority that is authorized to do so calls an election in the parish, the registrar for that parish shall notify the Department of State to supply him in duplicate both the official list and the inactive list of voters in his parish who are eligible to vote in the election. The request shall be made directly to the secretary of state, who shall furnish the list without delay.

B. Upon his request, the Department of State shall furnish the registrar an error listing for the purpose of correcting his records.

C. Before any person may obtain a list of the registered voters, he shall obtain the consent of the secretary of state or of the registrar. He shall pay such actual cost therefor as may be imposed by the secretary of state.

D.(1) The secretary of state shall provide, without charge or remuneration, to a clerk of court at the clerk's request a complete and accurate annual list from the Department of State containing the official list of registered voters in the parish of the clerk for the preparation of a general venire selection.

(2) The secretary of state shall also provide to the clerk of court, without charge or remuneration, at the clerk's request, monthly updates to the official list of registered voters in the parish for use in maintaining the general venire.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1990, No. 77, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 303, §1; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:422 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 422
Clerks of court; deputy clerks and other employees of the clerk
Status: in_force

The clerk of court is the chief election officer of the parish. Except as otherwise provided by law, a deputy clerk of court shall possess all of the powers and authority granted by law to the clerk, and may perform any of the duties and exercise any of the functions of the clerk. Deputy clerks and other employees of a clerk of court are subject to his direction and supervision, and shall perform the duties assigned to them by law, the court, and the clerk. The clerk of court is responsible for the performance or nonperformance of their official duties by his deputies and other employees.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1472 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1472
Election offenses informational packet for candidates
Status: in_force

A. Each candidate who qualifies for election in any primary election shall be provided an informational packet concerning the election offenses provided in this Chapter by the official with whom the candidate qualifies. The informational packet shall contain a summary of such offenses, the applicable enforcement procedures for such offenses, and the penalties for violations and a notice that questions concerning election violations should be directed to the attorney general or his designee and not to the official with whom the candidate qualifies.

B.(1) The informational packet shall be disseminated to each qualifying candidate immediately upon receipt of the candidate's notice of candidacy.

(2) When the notice of candidacy is filed by certified mail, by commercial carrier, or by an agent of the candidate, the informational packet shall be mailed within forty-eight hours of receipt of the notice of candidacy, via United States Postal Service first class mail, to the candidate at the address of his domicile as set forth in the notice of candidacy.

C. The attorney general shall provide for the preparation of the informational packets, including a summary of the election offenses and penalties for violations.

D.(1) Except as provided in Paragraph (B)(2) of this Section, the informational packets concerning election offenses shall be disseminated at the same time the campaign finance disclosure informational packets are disseminated to qualifying candidates as provided in R.S. 18:463. The same procedure utilized in disseminating the campaign finance disclosure packets shall be used to disseminate the informational packet concerning election offenses.

(2) The attorney general shall provide a sufficient number of the informational packets concerning election offenses to the Supervisory Committee on Campaign Finance Disclosure who shall forward such packets to the officials with whom the candidates qualify at the time required for furnishing the campaign finance disclosure information to such officials for dissemination with the campaign finance disclosure information.

Acts 1999, No. 1130, §1; Acts 2001, No. 47, §1; Acts 2001, No. 554, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:443 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 443
State central committee
Status: in_force

A. A member of the state central committee of a recognized political party shall meet the qualifications established by the rules and regulations of the state central committee of that recognized political party.

B.(1) All members of the state central committee of a recognized political party shall be elected every four years at the same time as the presidential preference primary election.

(2) Candidates for membership on the state central committee of a recognized political party shall qualify for office pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 5 of this Title.

(3) If the number of candidates who qualified for office exceeds the number of candidates to be elected for that office, the candidate who receives the greater number of votes cast shall be elected. If two or more offices of the same character are to be filled, each candidate who received the greater number of votes cast, as compared with the number of votes cast for each other candidate, is elected until all offices are filled. If two or more candidates receive the same number of votes, and as a result thereof, the number of candidates who would otherwise be elected exceed the number of remaining offices, the offices shall be filled by a public drawing of lots among such candidates conducted by the state central committee at its organizational meeting held pursuant to Subsection C hereof.

(4) If, after the close of the qualifying period, the number of candidates for an office for membership on the committee does not exceed the number of persons to be elected to the office, the candidates for that office, or those remaining after the death or withdrawal of one or more candidates, are declared elected by the people, and their names shall not appear on the ballot.

C. The newly-elected members of the state central committee of a recognized political party shall meet at the state capitol, shall take office, and shall organize the committee within forty days following their election. A majority of the newly-elected members of the committee shall constitute a quorum. No member shall exercise the proxy votes of more than three other members at any meeting. A member shall not vote by proxy at more than two consecutive meetings. No member shall exercise the proxy vote of a member who does not reside in the same congressional district as the member who exercises the proxy vote.

D. At the first meeting of the state central committee of a recognized political party, the newly-elected members of the committee shall elect the officers provided for by the rules and regulations of the committee.

E. The state central committee of a recognized political party may adopt rules and regulations for its government that are not inconsistent with the laws of this state, and it may create any committee it deems necessary. Rules and regulations establishing or changing the qualifications for membership on the state central committee or parish executive committees of a recognized political party shall be filed with the secretary of state within ten days after their adoption and shall be published by the state central committee in the Louisiana Register.

F. Repealed by Acts 2023, No. 91, §2, eff. June 6, 2023.

G.(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section, in the event an election for members of any such state central committee does not occur at the same time as the presidential preference primary in 2020, the members of the state central committee shall be elected at the runoff of the next regularly scheduled election. The secretary of state shall select the dates for qualification of candidates, conforming as closely as practicable with the timelines established in R.S. 18:467.

(2) The provisions of this Subsection shall cease to be effective on June 1, 2021.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 523, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978; Acts 1981, No. 513, §1, eff. July 19, 1981; Acts 1982, No. 672, §1, eff. July 22, 1982; Acts 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 1985, No. 50, §1; Acts 1986, No. 1030, §1; Acts 1987, No. 119, §1, eff. June 18, 1987; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 2020, No. 340, §1, eff. June 13, 2020; Acts 2020, No. 350, §1, eff. June 12, 2020; Acts 2023, No. 91, §2, eff. June 6, 2023.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1259 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1259
Arrangement of ballot; designation of party candidates
Status: in_force

A. In any year in which presidential electors are to be elected, the secretary of state shall arrange the voting machine ballot in such manner that the names of candidates for president and vice president shall appear on the ballot in the first column, beginning at the top and proceeding downward. If necessary, the listing of the names of candidates for president and vice president may continue in the second and succeeding columns. The names of the presidential electors shall appear on the ballot in the manner as provided for in Subsection B of this Section.

B.(1) The ballot shall be so arranged that the names of the candidate for president and the candidate for vice president nominated by each recognized political party, by nominating petition, or by filing of notices of candidacy accompanied by a qualifying fee shall appear prominently together with the name of the presidential candidate on top and the name of the vice presidential candidate directly underneath.

(2) Directly to the left of the names of the presidential and vice presidential candidates shall appear:

(a) If nominated by a recognized political party, the name of the party and such national party emblem, if any, or state party device, if any, as the state central committee of the party shall direct, and

(b) If nominated by a nominating petition or by the filing of notices of candidacy, the political principle which the candidates support, as stated on the nominating petition or on the notices of candidacy, if any, and the words "Nominating Petition" or the abbreviation "Nom. Petition" shall appear if nominated by petition.

(3) Immediately below the name of the party, or, if nominated by a nominating petition, the words "Nominating Petition" or the abbreviation "Nom. Petition" shall appear the word "Electors".

(4) Immediately below the word "Electors" the names of the presidential electors nominated in support of the nominees for president and vice president of that party or political principle shall appear.

(5) On a voting machine, there shall be a button or candidate selection button with which to mark the ballot opposite each pair of names. On paper ballots, there shall be a single box within which to mark the ballot opposite each pair of names.

(6) In preparing the ballots, the secretary of state shall arrange the names of the candidates of recognized political parties alphabetically, according to the names of the parties, followed by the names of the candidates nominated by nominating petitions and by the filing of notices of candidacy, listed alphabetically by the first word of the political principle designated in the notice of candidacy.

C. No candidate nominated other than by a recognized political party shall use the name of any recognized political party in the political principle designated in the notice of candidacy of such candidate.

D. The ballot shall contain the following statement: "A vote for candidates for president and vice president is a vote for each of the electors supporting those candidates."

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1977, No. 588, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 526, §2, eff. June 25, 2004; Acts 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2024, No. 390, §1; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:535 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 535
Notice of location of precincts and polling places
Status: in_force

A. Establishment and change. When a precinct or polling place is established or changed, notice of its location shall be published by the parish governing authority. The publication shall be in the official journal of the parish.

B. Before primary elections. The parish board of election supervisors shall publish the location of the polling places in the parish at least once before each primary election. The publication shall be in the official journal of the parish during the third week before the primary election. The locations shall be published on the website of the secretary of state. The secretary of state's website shall also include instructions on how a voter may subscribe to receive electronic notifications of polling place location changes. If a parish registrar of voters or clerk of court maintains a website, the registrar or clerk shall publish on the website beginning thirty days prior to an election a publicly available list of the locations of all polling places within the parish, arranged by precinct.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978; Acts 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2022, No. 652, §1, eff. Oct. 15, 2022; Acts 2024, No. 604, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:523 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 523
Americans with Disabilities Act compliance officer
Status: in_force

A. The secretary of state shall appoint an Americans with Disabilities Act compliance officer to serve at the pleasure of the secretary. The secretary shall fix the salary of the compliance officer.

B. The responsibilities and duties of the officer shall include:

(1) To serve as a primary point of contact for election day accessibility issues.

(2) To conduct and issue a biannual accessibility audit; to issue a report of his findings to the secretary, the commissioner of elections, and the Voting Accessibility Advisory Group; and to make the report available on the department website.

(3) To facilitate meetings of the Voting Accessibility Advisory Group.

(4) To perform any additional responsibilities and duties assigned by the secretary.

Acts 2023, No. 277, §1, eff. June 9, 2023.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:567.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 567.5
Exemption
Status: in_force

The provisions of Chapter 13-B of Title 49 relating to the Division of Administrative Law shall not apply to the administrative hearing process established under this Subpart. The board is exempt from the hearing requirements set forth in Chapter 13-B of Title 49 and shall conduct hearings pursuant to this Subpart. However, the board is authorized to contract with the Division of Administrative Law for the alternative dispute resolution services required by R.S. 18:567.3.

Acts 2003, No. 423, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:471 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 471
Acts performed with or by clerk of court
Status: in_force

Wherever in this Code any act is required to be performed with or by the clerk of court, such act shall be performed in the office of the clerk and may be performed by or with the clerk of court or any deputy clerk employed by him designated by him for the purpose.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1373 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1373
Notice of preparation of machines for election; preparation of machines for election; testing and adjusting; examination by candidate or his representative; securing and sealing machines
Status: in_force

A.(1) The secretary of state shall notify each parish custodian of the time and place at which he will begin preparing and testing the voting machines for an election. The qualifying official shall at the time of qualifying provide each candidate in the election with a chronological table of procedures for the election that instructs the candidate to contact the registrar of voters for the time and place at which the preparation and testing of the early voting machines will be conducted and the appropriate election official for the time and place at which the preparation and testing of the machines will be conducted and when the machines will be sealed and states that the candidate or his representative may be present to observe the preparation and testing of the machines by the secretary of state's technicians.

(2) The secretary of state shall prepare the voting machines for the election by placing them in order, inserting the proper ballots, and testing and adjusting the voting machines for the election. A test vote report shall be produced by each machine, and a signed certification of such testing shall be submitted to the parish board of election supervisors. In preparing the machines, the secretary of state shall lock out against use on each machine those vote indicators or devices that are not to be used at the election. In preparing and testing machines, the secretary of state shall use the mechanics and technicians authorized by R.S. 18:1353.

(3) Each candidate or his representative shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to inspect and review the test vote report of the machines to see that they are in the proper condition for use in the election, which shall not be less than thirty minutes beginning at the time designated by the parish custodian, in conjunction with the secretary of state, to seal the machines.

(4) No candidate, representative, or citizen shall interfere with the secretary of state or any employee or technician or assume any of their duties during the preparation and testing of the voting machines. Each candidate or representative shall identify to the secretary of state and parish custodian the candidate whom he is representing. In addition, any citizen of this state may be present to observe the preparation and testing of the machines by the secretary of state's technicians and shall be afforded an opportunity to inspect and review the test vote report of the machines.

(5) After the machines have been prepared and tested by the secretary of state's technicians and examined by each candidate or representative, citizen, or parish board member who is present, the parish board shall confirm the enclosure of the registration books or lists and other paraphernalia and shall forthwith seal each machine with a numbered seal. At that time, the parish custodian, in the presence of the candidates or their representatives, parish board members, and any citizens who are present, shall certify to the numbers of the machines, that all of the public counters are set at zero, and as to the number registered on the protective counter of the machine.

B. After each voting machine has been properly secured, sealed, and locked, the keys, if applicable, shall be placed in the key envelope on which shall be written the precinct number and the assigned precinct location of the voting machine, the number of the seal, and the number registered on the protective counter or device. The envelope shall be sealed in the presence of the candidates or their representatives then present and shall be held by the parish custodian or his representative until turned over for delivery to the election commissioners at the polling place on election day.

C. The preparation, testing, inspection, sealing, and locking of the machines and all duties required pursuant to this Part shall be completed as scheduled by the secretary of state and the parish custodian, but in no case later than thirty-six hours prior to the time fixed by law for the opening of the polls.

D. The preparation, testing, inspecting, sealing, and locking of the machines shall not be video, audio, or tape recorded, filmed, or broadcast live.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 1982, No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2005, No. 431, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2009, No. 369, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19, 2019; Acts 2020, No. 28, §1, eff. June 4, 2020; Acts 2021, No. 381, §1, eff. June 17, 2021; Acts 2022, No. 572, §1; Acts 2024, No. 754, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:106.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 106.1
Change of registration for voters with disabilities and documentation establishing disability
Status: in_force

A. If a person with a disability who is registered to vote in one parish changes his registration to another parish, he shall be eligible to vote absentee by mail in his new parish of registration without having to submit to the registrar of voters for the new parish additional documentation establishing his disability, provided the person is otherwise qualified to vote and meets one of the following conditions:

(1) Prior to January 1, 2010, the person was approved by a parish board of election supervisors as being eligible to participate in the Special Program for Handicapped Voters as such program existed prior to January 1, 2010.

(2) The person had submitted to the registrar for his previous parish of registration current proof of disability from a physician along with a certification from the physician indicating that by reason of the voter's disability the voter is unable to appear in person to vote either during early voting or at the polling place on election day.

B. The registrar of voters for the new parish of registration shall request a copy of the documentation on file relating to the person's disability from the registrar of voters for the person's previous parish of registration.

Acts 2009, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2014, No. 811, §9, eff. June 23, 2014.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:534 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 534
Change of polling places
Status: in_force

A. Once the location of a polling place is established, it may only be changed by a vote of the parish governing authority.

B.(1) The location of a polling place shall not be changed during the period commencing on the date the qualifying period opens and ending on the date of the general election or, in the case of an election date exclusively for bond, tax, or other propositions or questions, during the period commencing on the forty-sixth day prior to the election and ending on the day of the election unless the location becomes unavailable due to an emergency caused by an act of God or when privately owned property being used as a polling place becomes unavailable through no fault of the governing authority.

(2)(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section, if the location of a polling place becomes unavailable during the period defined in and due to the reasons provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the parish president may change the location of the polling place. The parish president shall submit written notice of the change as soon as practicable to the secretary of state.

(b) A change in the location of a polling place made by a parish president pursuant to Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall not be permanent unless the governing authority of the parish votes to approve the change.

(c) For purposes of this Paragraph, "parish president" means the president of any parish, mayor-president, mayor of New Orleans, parish administrator of Caddo Parish, or police jury president.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1982, No. 559, §1, eff. July 22, 1982; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 2015, No. 307, §1, eff. June 29, 2015; Acts 2022, No. 618, §1; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:153 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 153
Tax rolls
Status: in_force

A copy of the latest filed tax roll shall be made available to the registrar of each parish upon his request, so that he may prepare the list to be used in any election in which property ownership is a legally valid requisite for voting.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1511.8 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1511.8
Secrecy of proceedings
Status: in_force

A. Each complaint received by the supervisory committee, each review by the committee of reports for compliance with the provisions of this Chapter, and all information forwarded to or gathered by the supervisory committee with regard to such complaints or reviews and all investigation and proceedings of the supervisory committee with regard to the same shall be kept strictly confidential until such time that action with which the supervisory committee or the district attorney has proceeded, or in the case of possible criminal violations in campaigns for district attorney any action with which the attorney general has proceeded, becomes a public record, the prescriptive period has elapsed, or the matter is otherwise finally disposed of. In no event shall such records, evidence, testimony, notes or other data become public records unless and until civil or criminal charges have been instituted in accordance with this Chapter. This prohibition, however, shall not preclude the supervisory committee from: (a) divulging statistical information concerning complaints, reviews, alleged violations, referrals to district attorneys, and similar matters, or (b) divulging that a review or investigation was made or a complaint received with regard to a person or committee, and, upon investigation, no substantial reason was found to believe that a violation of this Chapter has occurred.

B. The attorney general or district attorney shall, prior to the use of any such accounts or records in any criminal proceeding, file a motion in a court of proper jurisdiction requesting a determination by such court of the relevancy or materiality of such accounts or records to a prosecution for violation of this Chapter. The court shall render such determination at an in camera proceeding which shall be confidential and not open to the public. If the court determines that the aforementioned accounts or records are relevant and material to the prosecution in accordance with this Chapter, then such accounts or records shall cease to be confidential in nature and may be introduced as evidence in a criminal proceeding without further restriction. The proceedings in connection with this Subsection shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Louisiana Code of Criminal Procedure 1 governing motions to suppress evidence.

C. Prior to the use of any such accounts or records in any civil proceeding, the supervisory committee shall file a motion with the Ethics Adjudicatory Board or in a court of proper jurisdiction requesting a determination by the Ethics Adjudicatory Board or the court of the relevancy or materiality of such accounts or records to an action for violation of this Chapter. The Ethics Adjudicatory Board or court shall render such determination at an in camera proceeding which shall be confidential and not open to the public. If the Ethics Adjudicatory Board or court determines that the aforementioned accounts or records are relevant and material to an action in accordance with this Chapter, then such accounts or records shall cease to be confidential in nature and may be introduced as evidence in a proceeding without further restriction.

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 2024, No. 137, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.12 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.12
Results of election
Status: in_force

The majority of the votes cast shall determine the result of the recall election. If the proposition for the recall does not receive a majority of the votes cast, the effort to recall shall have failed. Votes shall be tabulated and returns made, declared, and promulgated as at a general election.

Acts 1995, No. 555, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1362.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1362.2
Voting System Proposal Evaluation Committee; membership; duties
Status: in_force

A. The Voting System Proposal Evaluation Committee is created and established within the Department of State for the purpose of independently reviewing any proposals or responses to an invitation to negotiate received by the secretary of state in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 18:1362.1.

B.(1) The Voting System Proposal Evaluation Committee shall be comprised of the following members:

(a) A faculty member of a Louisiana postsecondary education institution with engineering or computer science expertise.

(b) A member of the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association.

(c) An individual with at least five years of experience with training or education in electronic voting systems and procedures and election security.

(d) A member of the Louisiana Registrars of Voters Association.

(e) A representative from the office of the secretary of state who did not serve as member of the Voting System Commission.

(2) Committee members shall be appointed by the secretary of state and shall serve without compensation.

C. The committee shall investigate and publicly test the voting systems proposed by potential vendors and may utilize subject matter experts to assist in the investigation. Upon completion of the investigation, the committee shall evaluate each proposal or response to an invitation to negotiate according to the procurement criteria, which shall ensure that all proposals or responses to an invitation to negotiate are evaluated in a fair and balanced manner and provide equal consideration for all potential vendors without exception. The committee shall make a recommendation and notify the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall then make a recommendation and submit the proposal to the chief procurement officer for subsequent review, approval, or further inquiry in accordance with the Louisiana Procurement Code.

D. Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, nothing in this Section shall alter or negate the provisions and requirements of the Louisiana Procurement Code.

Acts 2021, No. 480, §1, eff. July 1, 2021; Acts 2025, No. 208, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:654 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 654
Effect of filing of resignations
Status: in_force

A. Except for members of the legislature, a notice of retirement or resignation shall not be effective until the original notice of retirement or resignation is received by the secretary of state and shall become irrevocable upon such receipt by the secretary of state.

B. A notice of retirement or resignation of a member of the legislature shall become irrevocable upon receipt by the presiding officer of the house of the legislature to which the member was elected.

Added by Acts 1978, No. 38, §1, eff. May 31, 1978; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2006, No. 403, §1, eff. June 15, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1367.14 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1367.14
Termination
Status: in_force

The provisions of this Subpart shall be null and void and have no effect beginning on June 30, 2027.

Acts 2025, No. 208, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1280.27 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1280.27
Delegates to political party conventions; selection; oaths; voting; allocation among presidential nominees
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law, at least ninety days prior to a presidential preference primary election, the state governing body of each eligible political party shall establish procedures to be followed in the selection of individual delegates and alternates to the convention of that party, including procedures for the selection of committed and uncommitted delegates. A copy of any rule adopted by the state party committee shall be filed with the secretary of state within seven days after its adoption and shall become public record.

B. Delegates shall be allocated among the presidential candidates according to the results of the presidential primary and according to guidelines established by the governing bodies of the respective parties.

C. Repealed by Acts 1984, No. 672, §3.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 684, §1, eff. Dec. 1, 1979. S.C.R. No. 4, 1983, 2nd Ex. Sess. Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 1986, No. 35, §1, eff. June 17, 1986; Acts 1986, No. 427, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:199 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 199
New registration necessary after cancellation
Status: in_force

A. A person whose registration has been canceled shall not be permitted to vote except upon a new registration made in accordance with this Chapter.

B. A cancellation of registration shall not affect the right of any person thereafter to register if he possesses the qualifications to register and vote.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1302 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1302
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Chapter, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the following terms shall have the meanings hereafter ascribed to each:

(1) "Ballot" means a paper ballot or electronic ballot, where applicable.

(2) "Board" means the parish board of election supervisors of each parish. If parish board commissioners are utilized by the parish board of election supervisors to count and tabulate absentee by mail and early voting ballots, the term "board" for the purposes of R.S. 18:1306, 1311, 1312, 1313, 1313.1, 1315, and 1316 shall also mean the parish board commissioners providing assistance.

(3) "Clerk" means the clerk of court of each parish, except that in a parish having both a civil and a criminal sheriff, the word refers to the civil sheriff.

(4) "Early voting" means the period of time prior to any scheduled election when any person who is qualified to vote may vote in person at a place designated by the registrar as provided in R.S. 18:1309.

(5) "Election official" means the parish board of election supervisors; clerks and their employees who perform duties in the election process; registrars of voters and their employees; the secretary of state and employees of his office who perform duties in the election process; and the poll commissioners, including the commissioner-in-charge.

(6) "Federal postcard application" means an application for absentee by mail ballot as permitted by 50 U.S.C. 1464.

(7) "Registrar" means the registrar of voters of each parish.

(8) "United States Service" means the following persons, and their spouses and dependents:

(a) A member of the armed forces while in active service.

(b) A member of the merchant marine of the United States.

(c) A civil employee of the United States, in any category, while serving outside the territorial limits of the several states of the United States and the District of Columbia, whether or not the employee is subject to the federal civil service laws and the Classification Act of 1949 and whether or not paid from funds appropriated by congress.

(d) A member of a religious group or welfare agency assisting members of the armed forces who is officially attached to and serving with the armed forces.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 2001, No. 451, §1, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2005, No. 220, §§1, 4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2007, No. 229, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2014, No. 60, §1, eff. May 16, 2014; Acts 2016, No. 83, §1, Acts 2024, No. 754, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:436 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 436
Election officials at certain special elections
Status: in_force

A. When a special primary election to fill a vacancy or an anticipated vacancy in elective public office is called to be held at the same time as a previously scheduled general election, or if a previously scheduled election is delayed for any reason, the commissioners who were selected to serve at the previously scheduled primary and general election also shall be the commissioners for the special primary and general elections and any such delayed primary or general election, and the compensation for each shall be only that amount provided for in R.S. 18:426.1 for a day of service as a commissioner or commissioner-in-charge. Each candidate to be voted on in the special primary election or delayed primary election may appoint one watcher for each precinct in which that candidate is to be voted on. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 18:427(C) or of any other law to the contrary, the watchers so appointed shall be allowed to remain in the polling place at all times.

B. When a special general election to fill a vacancy or an anticipated vacancy in elective public office is called to be held at the same time as a previously scheduled primary election, the commissioners who were selected to serve at the special primary election for which the special general election is to be held shall also be the commissioners for both the previously scheduled primary and general elections. In such case the compensation for each shall be only that amount provided for in R.S. 18:426.1 for a day of service as a commissioner or commissioner-in-charge.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 792, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 77, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2007, No. 240, §1; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1279 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1279
Vacancies; representatives in congress
Status: in_force

When a vacancy occurs in the office of representative in congress, the governor shall determine the dates on which the special elections shall be held and the dates of the qualifying period in accordance with R.S. 18:402 and shall issue a proclamation ordering a special election and specifying the dates on which the first party primary, second primary, if necessary, and general elections will be held and the dates of the qualifying period for the election. Within twenty-four hours after issuing the proclamation, the governor shall send a copy of the proclamation to the secretary of state, who shall within twenty-four hours of receipt of the information notify all election officials having any duty to perform in connection with a special election to fill such vacancy, including the parish boards of election supervisors for the parish or parishes in which the vacancy occurred. Immediately thereafter the secretary of state shall publish the proclamation in the official journal of each parish in which the election is to be held. The election shall be conducted in the same manner and at the same places and the returns shall be certified as in regular congressional elections. If at a primary or general election in a congressional district one representative in congress is to be elected for a full term and another to fill a vacancy, the ballots containing the names of the candidates shall, as a part of the title of the office, designate the term for which the candidates are respectively nominated.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 545, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1980, No. 792, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1981, No. 76, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2007, No. 240, §1; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2022, No. 274, §1, eff. June 3, 2022; Acts 2025, No. 386, §2, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 2
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Code, the following words and terms shall have the meanings hereinafter ascribed to each, unless the context clearly indicates another meaning:

(1) "Affidavit" means an oath or affirmation signed by the affiant before a notary public, or before a commissioner-in-charge, commissioner, registrar of voters, deputy registrar of voters, early voting commissioner, or secretary of state election staff, as specifically required in this Code.

(2) "Attestation" means an oath or affirmation signed by the person making the oath or affirmation.

(3) "Clerk of court" or "clerk" means the clerk of the district court, except that in any parish having a civil district court and a criminal district court, these terms mean the clerk of the criminal district court.

(4) "Federal election" means a general, special, primary, or runoff election for federal office; a convention or caucus of a political party which has authority to nominate a candidate for federal office; a primary election held for the selection of delegates to a national nominating convention of a political party; and a primary election held for the expression of a preference for the nomination of individuals for election to the office of president.

(5) "Federal office" means the office of president or vice president of the United States or of senator or representative in the United States Congress.

(6) "Immediate family" means the individual's children, the spouses of his children, his brothers and their spouses, his sisters and their spouses, his parents, his spouse, the parents of his spouse, his grandparents, and his grandchildren.

(7) "Parish governing authority" or "governing authority of the parish" with respect to Orleans Parish means the city council.

NOTE: Paragraphs (8) and (9) as enacted by Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, eff. June 12, 2025, for certain purposes, and then eff. Jan. 1, 2026, for all other purposes. See Acts 2024, No. 640 and Acts 2025, No. 386.

(8) "Party affiliation" and "affiliation with a political party" mean the party affiliation designated in the registrant's information on the state voter registration computer system.

(9) "Party primary office" means an office of senator or representative in the United States Congress, justice of the supreme court, the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and the Public Service Commission.

(10) "Polling place" means any location where voting, either early or on election day, is conducted pursuant to this Code.

(11) "Precinct" means the smallest political unit of a ward having defined geographical boundaries.

NOTE: Paragraph (12) as enacted by Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, eff. June 12, 2025, for certain purposes, and then eff. Jan. 1, 2026, for all other purposes. See Acts 2024, No. 640 and Acts 2025, No. 386.

(12) "Primary election" means a primary election for a party primary office or an office other than a party primary office.

(13) "Qualified elector" or "qualified voter" means a person who has the proper qualifications provided by law to be entitled to vote and who is lawfully registered to vote.

(14) "Ranked-choice voting" and "instant runoff voting" mean a method of nominating or electing one or more candidates to an office as follows:

(a) Voters rank candidates on the ballot in order of preference.

(b) Tabulation proceeds in rounds such that in each round, one or more candidates are nominated or elected, or a last-place candidate is defeated.

(c) Votes are transferred from nominated, elected, or defeated candidates to the voter's next-ranked candidate or candidates in order of preference.

(d) Tabulation ends when a candidate receives the majority of the votes cast or when the number of candidates nominated or elected equals the number of offices to be filled, as applicable.

(15) "Signature" means the name of a person which is signed. Signature in this Title includes the handwritten, electronic, or digitized name of an individual, except when the handwritten signature of the individual is specifically required.

(16) "Third-party voter registration drive" means the solicitation, distribution, or collection of voter registration applications by a third-party voter registration organization.

(17) "Third-party voter registration organization" means any individual or entity that solicits, distributes, or collects voter registration applications and that is not required by law to do so. "Third-party voter registration organization" shall not include the following:

(a) An individual who only seeks to encourage or assist a member of his immediate family in registering to vote.

(b) A registrar of voters or employee thereof.

(c) The secretary of state or employee thereof who performs election duties.

(d) Any other individual or entity required by law to perform voter registration activities.

(18) "Under an order of imprisonment" means a sentence of confinement, whether or not suspended, whether or not the subject of the order has been placed on probation, with or without supervision, and whether or not the subject of the order has been paroled.

(19) "Voter registration agency" means an office designated under R.S. 18:116(A) to perform voter registration activities.

(20) "Voting district" means a geographical area composed of one or more precincts in a parish in which every elector within that area votes in the same congressional district, statewide board or commission district, judicial district, Senate District, House of Representative District, parish governing authority district, local and ward office district, municipal office district, and all other special election districts.

(21) "Ward" means a police jury ward in a parish and in parishes having no police jury wards means the subdivision of the parish equivalent to a police jury ward.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1977, No. 544, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1982, No. 559, §1, eff. July 22, 1982; Acts 1991, No. 277, §1; Acts 1993, No. 465, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 1032, §7; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 32, §1; Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2024, No. 291, §1, eff. May 28, 2024; Acts 2024, No. 355, §1; Acts 2024, No. 640, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2026; Acts 2024, No. 701, §1; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1; §§3, 7, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1511.12 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1511.12
Legislative intent
Status: in_force

In amending and reenacting this Chapter in 1980 and subsequently, it is and was the intent of the legislature that the provisions of R.S. 18:1491.6(D) and R.S. 18:1495.4(D) are remedial and supplemental in nature and, therefore, shall apply retroactively to candidates and committees which were covered by the deficit reporting provisions of this Chapter before and after such amendments.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 266, §1, eff. July 18, 1982.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:102 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 102
Ineligible persons
Status: in_force

A. No person shall be permitted to register or vote who is:

(1)(a) Under an order of imprisonment, as defined in R.S. 18:2, for conviction of a felony, except as provided in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph.

(b) Except as provided in Subparagraph (c) of this Paragraph, a person who is under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony and who has not been incarcerated pursuant to the order within the last five years shall not be ineligible to register or vote based on the order.

(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be permitted to register or vote pursuant to this Section if he is convicted of a felony offense of election fraud or any other election offense pursuant to R.S. 18:1461.2 and he is under an order of imprisonment.

(2) Interdicted after being judicially declared to be mentally incompetent as a result of a full interdiction proceeding pursuant to Civil Code Article 389. A person subject to a limited interdiction pursuant to Civil Code Article 390 shall be permitted to register and vote unless the court in that proceeding specifically suspends the interdicted person's right to vote in the judgment of interdiction. If a person was previously subject to full interdiction, which has been changed to a limited interdiction, that person shall be eligible to register and vote unless the judgment of limited interdiction specifically suspends that right.

(3) Not a citizen of the United States of America.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section or any other provision of law to the contrary, a person who was convicted of a felony prior to the effective date of the 1974 Constitution of Louisiana who has fully satisfied and completed his sentence shall not be ineligible to register to vote, nor shall he be prohibited from voting, based upon that conviction.

C. For purposes of this Chapter, "incarcerated pursuant to the order" means actual confinement in a correctional facility pursuant to the order of imprisonment, including confinement after conviction but prior to sentencing for which the person is given credit in the order and confinement following revocation of probation or parole. "Incarcerated pursuant to the order" does not include confinement pursuant to a violation of a condition of probation or parole that does not result in revocation.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 2003, No. 856, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2004, No. 575, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2018, No. 636, §1, eff. March 1, 2019; Acts 2021, No. 127, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 2022; Acts 2024, No. 500, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:567 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 567
Administrative complaint procedure; scope
Status: in_force

This Subpart provides a uniform, nondiscriminatory procedure for the resolution of any complaint alleging a violation of any provision of Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002 for an election for federal office, including a violation that has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur.

Acts 2003, No. 423, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:18.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 18.1
Political activities prohibited
Status: in_force

A. Neither the commissioner of elections nor any employee of the elections division within the Department of State who is in the unclassified state service shall participate or engage in political activity, including his own or any other candidacy for election to public office; membership on any national, state, or local committee of a political party or faction; making or soliciting contributions for any political party, faction, or candidate; taking active part in the management of the affairs of a political party, faction, candidate, or any political campaign, except to exercise his right as a citizen to express his opinion privately and to cast his vote as he desires.

B. As used in this Section, the term "political activity" shall have the meaning ascribed to it in Article X, Section 9(C) of the Constitution of Louisiana.

Acts 2003, No. 1220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1367.13 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1367.13
Code of Civil Procedure
Status: in_force

Any procedural matter not specifically provided for in this Subpart shall be governed by the Code of Civil Procedure.

Acts 2025, No. 208, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:581 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 581
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Title:

(1) "Local governmental subdivision" means a parish or municipality.

(2) "Political subdivision" means a parish, municipality, and any other unit of local government, including a school board and a special district, authorized by law to perform governmental functions.

(3) "Vacancy" occurs in an elective office when the office is or will be unoccupied for any of the following reasons:

(a) Death of the official who was elected to the office.

(b) Retirement or resignation of the official who was elected to the office.

(c) Removal from office by any means.

(d) Failure to take office for any reason or when it becomes certain that the person elected to the office will not take the office on the day when the term for which the person was elected commences.

(e) The person elected to or holding the office no longer meets the residence or domicile requirements of that office, any declaration of retention of domicile to the contrary notwithstanding.

(f) An office is created due to a reclassification of a municipality.

(g) Failure of any candidate to qualify for the election to the office or the failure of a sufficient number of candidates to qualify for the number of positions to be filled in the office.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 2004, No. 526, §2, eff. June 25, 2004; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:171.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 171.1
Conviction of felony in federal court; notification
Status: in_force

A.(1) Each United States attorney shall give written notice to the secretary of state of any felony conviction of a person in a district court of the United States for which there is an order of imprisonment and for which the person is incarcerated pursuant to the order.

(2) The notice shall include the name of the offender, the offender's age and residence address, the date of entry of the judgment, a description of the offenses of which the offender was convicted, and the sentence imposed by the court.

B. The secretary of state shall send to the registrar of voters of each parish such information received from a United States attorney regarding persons with a definitive felony conviction.

C. Upon request of the registrar of voters, the United States attorney shall provide such additional information as the United States attorney may have concerning the identity of the offender and the offense of which the offender was convicted.

D. If a conviction of which notice was given pursuant to this Section is overturned, the United States attorney shall give written notice of the vacation of the judgment to the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall send such notice of the vacation of the judgment to the appropriate registrar of voters.

Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2021, No. 127, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1286 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1286
Polling places; election officers
Status: in_force

A. When an election called under the provisions of this Chapter is not held at the same time as the election of any public official, the governing authority of the political subdivision ordering the election shall use the established polling places and provide the voting machines and a compiled statement of qualified voters. On or before the twenty-first day prior to such election, the parish board of election supervisors shall appoint the number of commissioners for each precinct as provided in R.S. 18:425(A)(1)(b) and not less than the same number of alternate commissioners for each precinct, all of whom shall meet the qualifications set forth in Part II of Chapter 5 of this Title. The commissioner-in-charge for each precinct at which an election called under the provisions of this Chapter is held shall be the commissioner-in-charge selected or appointed for such precinct under the provisions of Part II of Chapter 5 of this Title.

B. When an election called under the provisions of this Chapter is held at the same time as the election for any public official, the election shall be held solely in compliance with the provisions of Parts II and V of Chapter 5 of this Title, and the commissioners selected for the election for public officials shall be the commissioners for the election called under the provisions of this Chapter and shall only receive the compensation provided for in R.S. 18:424 and R.S. 18:425.

C. When the number of commissioners for each precinct in an election called on a general election date under the provisions of this Chapter is less than the number of commissioners chosen for the primary election date, the appropriate number of commissioners shall be chosen from the list of commissioners who worked at the precinct for the primary election.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 545, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978; Acts 1982, No. 778, §1, eff. Aug. 4, 1982; Acts 1985, No. 754, §1; Acts 1988, No. 907, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:118 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 118
Voter registration application form availability; firearm retailers
Status: in_force

A. It is the intention of the legislature to increase the participation in the electoral process by the citizens of the state. Therefore, voter registration application forms, as provided for in this Section, may be made available to purchasers of firearms at the point of purchase from firearm retailers located in the state.

B. For the purposes of this Section:

(1) "Firearm" means any pistol, revolver, rifle, or shotgun that is designed to fire or is capable of firing fixed cartridge ammunition or from which a shot or projectile is discharged by an explosive.

(2) "Firearm retailer" means any retailer who possesses a Type 01 Federal Firearms License and employs twenty-five or more full-time employees.

C. Firearm retailers who make voter registration applications available may register with the secretary of state to receive voter registration information and procedures.

Acts 2013, No. 405, §1, eff. June 19, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300
Procedures; notice of election; expenses
Status: in_force

A.(1) When an election at which a proposition or question is to be submitted to the voters is held at the same time as an election for any public official, the election shall be held in compliance with the applicable provisions of Chapter 5 and Chapter 6-A of this Title.

(2) The commissioners selected to serve at the election for the public officials also shall serve as the commissioners for the election at which a proposition or question is to be submitted to the voters, and the compensation for each shall be only that amount provided for in R.S. 18:424 and R.S. 18:425 for the day of service as a commissioner or commissioner-in-charge.

B. When an election at which a proposition or question is to be submitted to the voters is not held at the same time as the election of any public official, the election shall be held solely in compliance with and shall be subject to the applicable provisions of Chapter 6-A of this Title.

C.(1) When an election is called under the provisions of this Chapter, written notice of the election shall be transmitted to the secretary of state, the commissioner of elections, and each clerk of court and registrar of voters in the area affected by the election. If the election is to be held on a primary election date, then such notice shall be received by the secretary of state at least four weeks prior to the opening of the qualifying period for the primary election. If the election is not to be held on a primary election date, then such notice shall be received by the secretary of state on or before the fifty-fourth day prior to the election. If any of these deadlines fall on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, then the deadline shall be the following day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

(2) The secretary of state shall not accept any revisions to propositions or questions, including but not limited to changes in title, text, or numerical designations, after the last day for submission of the notice to the secretary of state, unless prior to the printing of the ballots the revision will correct a typographical error and the revision has been approved by the governing authority that called the proposition election. The secretary of state shall not include any proposition or question on any ballot of any election if such notice is not timely received by the secretary of state.

(3) Any elector who is eligible to vote in the election may apply for injunctive relief to prohibit the placing of a proposition on the ballot if notice is not timely received by the secretary of state. Venue for such application shall be in any parish in which the election is called, and the secretary of state shall be a proper party defendant.

D. Repealed by Acts 1983, No. 681, §2, eff. July 21, 1983.

Added by Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 792, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1981, No. 76, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; H.C.R. No. 8, 1981 1st Ex. Session; Acts 1982, No. 778, §1, eff. Aug. 4, 1982; Acts 1983, No. 681, §2, eff. July 21, 1983; Acts 1987, No. 831, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1992, No. 949, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 1995, No. 1114, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2012, No. 139, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2013; Acts 2016, No. 281, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; Acts 2021, No. 381, §1, eff. June 17, 2021; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1275 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1275
United States senator and representative in Congress; qualifications
Status: in_force

A. No person shall be a United States senator who has not attained the age of thirty years and who has not been a citizen of the United States for nine years and who is not, when elected, an inhabitant of this state.

B. No person shall be a representative in Congress who has not attained the age of twenty-five years and who has not been a citizen of the United States for seven years and who is not, when elected, an inhabitant of this state.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the qualifications for United States senators and members of the United States House of Representatives as provided in this Section shall be exclusive.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1461.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1461.6
Election offenses involving tampering with election equipment; penalties
Status: in_force

A. No person shall knowingly, willfully, or intentionally:

(1) Prior to an election, during transit to a polling place, during early voting, during election day voting or while in storage awaiting certification of election results, with intent to defraud, tamper with any voting equipment so as to attempt to influence the accurate and timely reporting of election results.

(2) Unlawfully, directly or indirectly, possess, tamper with, break, impair, impede, or otherwise interfere with the maintenance, adjustment, delivery, use, or operation of any voting machine or part thereof or with any of the paraphernalia connected with or appertaining thereto.

B. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more than ten thousand dollars or be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than five years, or both.

Acts 2010, No. 797, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1382 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1382
Apportionment of expenses
Status: in_force

The governing bodies of municipalities and parishes covered by the provisions of this Chapter are authorized to purchase suitable sites and to construct and equip suitable buildings for the proper storage of voting machines, and one-half of the costs thereof shall be paid by the governing body of each municipality or parish and the other one-half by the state of Louisiana. The portion to be paid by the state of Louisiana shall be by appropriation for the purpose by the legislature to the secretary of state. In the event of such purchase of sites and construction and maintenance of buildings, the title thereto shall rest one-half in the state and one-half in the parish or municipality coming under the provisions of this Chapter.

Acts 1977, No. 523, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:653 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 653
Transmission of notices of retirements and resignations
Status: in_force

The secretary of state shall immediately transmit notice of retirements or resignations filed with him to the authority required by law to make the appointment to fill the vacancy and to the authority required by law to call the election to fill the vacancy, if said authority is not the same as the authority required to make the appointment.

Added by Acts 1978, No. 38, §1, eff. May 31, 1978; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:502 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 502
Effect of withdrawal
Status: in_force

A notice of withdrawal shall be effective when it is filed with the secretary of state if the notice satisfies the requirements of R.S. 18:501 or was filed pursuant to a court order as provided in R.S. 18:494(B), and the candidate who filed the notice no longer shall be qualified as a candidate in the election from which he withdrew. If the election ballot was printed with a withdrawn candidate's name on it, any votes received by the withdrawn candidate shall be null and void and shall not be counted for any purpose whatsoever.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 77, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 2015, No. 410, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2016.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:133.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 133.1
Temporary branch office; deputy registrar; appointment; compensation
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Chapter, the registrar of voters of Jefferson Parish shall establish a temporary branch office or offices at Grand Isle at such location or locations as he deems appropriate which shall be open for business during the hours and on the days that he deems that activity justifies it. The registrar shall appoint a citizen of the town of Grand Isle on a temporary year-to-year basis to act as a deputy registrar and shall fix his compensation. The compensation so fixed shall be approved by the parish governing authority and shall be paid from funds appropriated by the parish governing authority.

Added by Acts 1978, No. 721, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:102.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 102.1
Persons with intellectual or cognitive disabilities
Status: in_force

A. It is the policy of the state of Louisiana to encourage the full participation in voting by all citizens of this state, including persons with intellectual or cognitive disabilities who have not been declared to be mentally incompetent pursuant to a full interdiction, or whose right to vote has not been suspended by a limited interdiction, regardless of such person's living arrangements, which include but shall not be limited to a group home, long-term care facility, or treatment facility.

B. The Louisiana Department of Health shall promulgate rules and regulations in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act to ensure that persons with intellectual or cognitive disabilities for whom the department provides care and treatment who are not subject to a full interdiction or a limited interdiction in which the right to register and vote has specifically been suspended are permitted to do so in compliance with federal and state laws and regulations. Such rules and regulations shall be proposed within ninety days of the effective date* of this Section and such rules and regulations shall be subject to oversight by the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee and the House and Governmental Affairs Committee in the manner provided in the Administrative Procedure Act.

Acts 1985, No. 465, §1; Acts 2004, No. 575, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2009, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010.

*Enacted in 1985
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1367.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1367.1
Applicability of Subpart; definitions
Status: in_force

A. To the extent any provisions of this Subpart regarding legal and contractual remedies for the procurement of voting systems conflict with any provision of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, the provisions of this Subpart shall supersede and control.

B. As used in this Subpart, "commissioner" means the commissioner of administration.

Acts 2025, No. 208, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.24 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.24
Election on sports wagering
Status: in_force

A.(1) At the statewide election occurring on November 3, 2020, a proposition shall appear on the ballot in every parish to determine whether sports wagering activities and operations shall be permitted in the parish.

(2) The ballot for the election shall state as follows:

"PROPOSITION TO AUTHORIZE SPORTS WAGERING ACTIVITIES.

Shall sports wagering activities and operations be permitted in the parish of _________________? YES ( ) NO ( )"

B. The voters shall vote for or against the proposition. A vote for the proposition being a "YES" vote, and a vote against the proposition being a "NO" vote.

C.(1) If a majority of the qualified electors in the parish voting on the proposition vote for the proposition, then sports wagering activities and operations shall be permitted in such parish only after state laws providing for the licensing, regulation, and taxation of such activity and operations are enacted and become effective.

(2) If a majority of the qualified electors in the parish voting on the proposition vote against the proposition, then sports wagering activities and operations shall not be permitted in the parish.

D. The secretary of state shall prepare the ballot for the election as set forth in the provisions of this Section.

E. Except as otherwise provided by this Section, the election shall be conducted in accordance with the Louisiana Election Code.

Acts 2020, No. 215, §1, eff. June 10, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:453 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 453
Dual candidacy
Status: in_force

A. General prohibitions. (1) A person shall not become a candidate in a primary or general election for more than one office unless one of the offices is membership on a political party committee, nor shall a person be a candidate at the same time for two or more different offices to be filled at separate elections.

(2) A person shall not become a candidate for more than one office if the general election date for the office sought is to be held on the same date as the other office's primary election date unless one of the offices is membership on a political party committee.

B. Unexpired and succeeding term of office. A person may become a candidate for both the unexpired and the succeeding term of an office.

C. Political party committees. A person may become a candidate in any primary or general election for membership on more than one committee of a political party, but a person may only become a candidate for one position, either at-large or from a political subdivision, on the same committee of a political party.

D. President or vice president of the United States. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section, a senator or representative in the United States Congress who has been nominated as a candidate for president or vice president of the United States may become a candidate in a primary or general election for either office in addition to the office that he holds that is set to be decided at the same election.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Acts 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2020, No. 28, §1, eff. June 4, 2020; Acts 2024, No. 309, §1, eff. May 28, 2024; Acts 2024, No. 640, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §4, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:155 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 155
Refusal or neglect to grant right of inspection; remedies
Status: in_force

A. If the registrar fails or refuses to comply with any provision of R.S. 18:154, the voter or voters may apply to the district court having jurisdiction for a peremptory order to the registrar to comply therewith. The rule shall be returnable within forty-eight hours, and the court shall hear the rule in summary manner and by preference, in term time or vacation, and shall decide it within twenty-four hours after submission.

B. If the court finds that the plaintiff is entitled to the relief sought, it shall enter its order requiring performance by the registrar and shall hold the registrar in contempt if he does not comply within three days after entry of the order.

C. This remedy shall not preclude any other civil remedy against or criminal prosecution of the registrar provided in this Title for such failure or refusal.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1555 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1555
Penalties
Status: in_force

A. The penalty provisions of Part V of this Chapter shall not be applicable to violations of this Part.

B. If a violation of R.S. 18:1554 occurs, the supervisory committee shall notify the personal representative of the deceased candidate that each contribution received after the violation shall be returned to the contributor and that no further contributions, except contributions from a family member of the deceased candidate, may be solicited or received to resolve the deficit. For purposes of this Subsection, "family member" shall mean the spouse of the deceased, children of the deceased and their spouses, parents of the deceased, parents of the spouse of the deceased, grandparents of the deceased, siblings of the deceased and their spouses, and siblings of the parents of the deceased and their spouses.

Acts 2011, No. 208, §1; Acts 2024, No. 390, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1305 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1305
Voting at polls prohibited
Status: in_force

A person who has voted either by absentee by mail ballot or during early voting shall not vote in person at the polls on election day.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 513, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 2005, No. 220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1402 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1402
Proper parties
Status: in_force

A. The following persons are the proper parties against whom actions objecting to candidacy shall be instituted:

(1) The person whose candidacy is objected to.

(2) The clerk of court, in his official capacity, if the candidate qualified with the clerk of court.

(3) The secretary of state, in his official capacity, if the candidate qualified with the secretary of state.

B.(1) The following persons are the proper parties against whom election contests shall be instituted:

(a) The secretary of state, in his official capacity, when contesting an election on any proposed amendment to the constitution.

(b) The governing authority which called the election, when contesting an election on a proposition.

(c) The person or persons whose eligibility to be a candidate in a general election or whose election to office is contested.

(2) Any candidate in an election which is contested shall be a proper party to and shall have standing to intervene in the action contesting the election.

C. The secretary of state, in his official capacity, shall be made a party defendant to any action contesting an election for public office, an election submitting a proposition to the voters, or an election for the recall of a public officer. The secretary of state, in his official capacity, shall be made defendant to any action objecting to the calling of a special election. The secretary of state, in his official capacity, shall be made a party defendant to any action contesting the certification of a recall petition. The secretary of state shall have standing to intervene in an action objecting to candidacy in which the secretary of state was not the qualifying official.

D. Costs of court shall not be assessed against the secretary of state when named as a defendant in any action contesting an election, objecting to candidacy, objecting to the calling of a special election, or contesting the certification of a recall petition.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 451, §1, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2005, No. 431, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2010, No. 621, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2020, No. 28, §1, eff. June 4, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1367.10 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1367.10
Commencement of actions
Status: in_force

A. Protested solicitations and awards. Any action under R.S. 18:1367.9(A) shall be commenced within fourteen days after receipt of the decision of the commissioner under R.S. 18:1367.6(C).

B. Debarments and suspension for cause. Any action under R.S. 18:1367.9(B) shall be commenced within sixty days after receipt of the decision of the commissioner under R.S. 18:1367.7(C).

C. Actions under contracts or for breach of contract controversies. Any action under R.S. 18:1367.9(C) shall be commenced within sixty days after receipt of the decision of the commissioner under R.S. 18:1367.8(C).

Acts 2025, No. 208, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:46 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 46
Annual reports
Status: in_force

The board may report to the legislature any findings, observations, or recommendations concerning elections in this state which it determines, in the course of its investigations or otherwise, should be brought to the attention of the legislature. Such reports may be made annually prior to the annual regular session of the legislature, or at such other times as the board may deem appropriate.

Acts 1989, No. 45, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:157 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 157
Delivery of precinct registers to election authorities
Status: in_force

The registrar shall seal a precinct register for each precinct in the parish which is involved in the election, which shall contain both the official list of voters and inactive list of voters in each precinct and shall be bound in a pressboard binder, labeled with the correct ward and the precinct number, and shall surrender such to the contractor authorized by the secretary of state to deliver voting machines pursuant to R.S. 18:1371, not less than three days before the opening hour of the election.

Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:401.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 401.1
Election emergency; purpose; elections emergency contingency plan
Status: in_force

A. Due to the possibility of an emergency or common disaster occurring before or during a regularly scheduled or special election, and in order to ensure maximum citizen participation in the electoral process and provide a safe and orderly procedure for persons seeking to qualify or exercise their right to vote, to minimize to whatever degree possible a person's exposure to danger during declared states of emergency, and to protect the integrity of the electoral process, it is hereby found and declared to be necessary to designate a procedure for the emergency suspension or delay and rescheduling of qualifying, early voting, and elections.

B. The governor may, upon issuance of an executive order declaring a state of emergency or impending emergency, suspend or delay any qualifying of candidates, early voting, or elections. The governor shall take such action only upon the certification of the secretary of state that a state of emergency exists. A clerk of court, as the chief election officer of the parish, may bring to the attention of the secretary of state any difficulties occurring in his parish due to natural disasters.

C. If any delays or suspensions are authorized by the governor, the delayed qualifying, early voting or election day voting shall resume or be rescheduled as soon thereafter as is practicable. In the event the voting on election day is delayed or suspended and early voting has been completed prior to the issuance of the executive order delaying or suspending election day voting, early voting for the rescheduled election day may be reopened upon authorization of the governor for a reasonable time prior to the new election date. Notice of the delay or suspension and rescheduling of the election day or early voting shall be published at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the affected area if time permits and, where practicable, broadcast as a public service announcement on radio and television stations, or by any other means of communication available at that time.

D.(1) As soon as possible following an emergency, the clerk of court shall identify the number of polling places that are functional and the number of polling places that have been destroyed. If a polling place is destroyed, inaccessible, or unsafe, efforts should be made to work with federal, state, and local emergency management agencies to permit the orderly establishment of a new polling place. An alternate emergency location shall be designated by the parish clerk of court in conjunction with the local parish governing authority, represented by its presiding officer, and advertised by any means available.

(2) The clerk of court in conjunction with the secretary of state shall coordinate with local police and the National Guard in an effort to provide security for existing polling places, including securing salvageable voting equipment from destroyed or damaged polling places to prevent further damage and looting.

E. If an election is rescheduled involving a multiparish or statewide office, every effort should be made to withhold returns for the affected races until the affected parishes have conducted rescheduled elections and are able to certify returns to the secretary of state.

F. Computation of all time intervals in the electoral process affected by any delay or suspension shall be redesignated by the secretary of state. Notice thereof shall be disseminated to parish boards of election supervisors as expediently as possible by any means available.

G. Nothing in this Section shall be interpreted as extending or as an extension of the time period for an election.

H. For purposes of this Section, a vacancy in a party primary office that may not be filled by appointment, designation, or in accordance with the timeframes required by law shall constitute an emergency. If the vacancy may not be filled in a timely manner in accordance with the election dates provided for in R.S. 18:402, the governor may proclaim a state of emergency for purposes of calling a special election to fill the vacancy. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 18:401.3, following the issuance of the emergency proclamation, the authority required by law to call a special election to fill the vacancy in office shall, in consultation with and with the certification of the secretary of state, issue a proclamation ordering a special election. The proclamation ordering the special election shall include the dates for qualifying, early voting, the primary election, the general election, and at least one party primary election and make all provisions necessary to conduct an election in a timely manner notwithstanding the dates, timing, and delays otherwise provided by this Code.

Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2025, No. 386, §2, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1280.23 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1280.23
Conduct of election
Status: in_force

Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Part, the election for which provision is made in this Part shall be conducted and the returns thereof published and promulgated as provided in the election laws of the state.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 684, §1, eff. Dec. 1, 1979.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1464 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1464
Excessive charge for political advertisements prohibited; penalty
Status: in_force

A. No daily, bi-weekly, weekly, semi-monthly, or monthly newspaper, journal, periodical, or other publication and no radio station, television station, or chain or network of radio or television stations operating in this state shall assess or charge for political announcements and advertisements any amount which is in excess of the rates assessed and charged for regular commercial advertising.

B. Whoever violates this Section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:429 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 429
Clerk of court; notification of cyber incidents
Status: in_force

A. The clerk of court shall notify the secretary of state, or his designee, by telephone, electronic mail, or facsimile within twenty-four hours following the discovery of a cyber incident that impacts the office of the clerk of court related to any computer system connected to or maintained by the secretary of state.

B. As used in Subsection A of this Section, "cyber incident" means an event that may jeopardize the confidentiality, integrity, or availability of digital information or information systems.

Acts 2020, No. 217, §2.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:467 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 467
Opening of qualifying period
Status: in_force

A. Except as otherwise provided in Part I-A of this Chapter, the qualifying period for candidates in a primary election shall open:

(1) For candidates in a fall primary election in a gubernatorial election year and those in any special primary election to be held at the same time, on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in August of the year of the election.

(2) For candidates in a fall primary election in a congressional election year and those in any special primary election to be held at the same time, on the last Wednesday in July of the year of the election.

(3) For candidates in a spring primary election in a gubernatorial election year, for all candidates for a party primary office to be elected that year, and those in any special primary election to be held at the same time, on the second Wednesday in January of the year of the election.

(4) For candidates in a nongubernatorial, odd-numbered year fall primary election for parochial and municipal officers in a parish containing a municipality with a population of three hundred thousand or more and those in any special primary election to be held at the same time, on the second Wednesday in July in the year of the election.

(5) For candidates in a spring primary election in a presidential election year and for candidates in a presidential primary election, for all candidates for a party primary office to be elected that year, and those in any special primary election to be held at the same time, the qualifying period shall open on the third Wednesday in December.

(6) For candidates in a spring primary election held in a nonpresidential congressional election year, for all candidates for a party primary office to be elected that year, and those in any special primary election to be held at the same time, on the second Wednesday in January of the year of the election.

(7) For candidates in a spring primary election held in a nongubernatorial, odd-numbered election year, for all candidates for a party primary office to be elected that year, and those in any special primary election to be held at the same time, on the second Wednesday in January of the year of the election.

B. The qualifying period for candidates qualifying for the general election for a party primary office in the manner provided in R.S. 18:410.8 shall be the qualifying period for candidates qualifying for a party primary office as provided in Subsection A of this Section.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1977, No. 545, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1978, No. 720, §1; Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 1982, No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; Acts 1984, No. 673, §1, eff. Jan 1, 1985; Acts 1987, No. 831, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, No. 277, §1; Acts 1992, No. 949, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 1114, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2006, No. 845, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2007, No. 240, §1; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 22, §1; Acts 2011, No. 293, §1; Acts 2013, No. 95, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2015; Acts 2015, No. 307, §§1, 3, eff. June 29, 2015; Acts 2015, No. 410, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; Acts 2018, No. 584, §1, eff. May 28, 2018; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023; Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2024, No. 640, §1, 2, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §§ 3, 4, 5, 7, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1461.8 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1461.8
Election offense; candidate; forfeiture of office
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary and in addition to the penalties provided in R.S. 18:1461 through 1461.7, any candidate who is elected to public office and is convicted of an election offense as provided in R. S. 18:1461, 1461.2(A)(2) or (4), 1461.3(A)(3), 1461.4(A)(1) and 1461.5(A)(2) that is related to his campaign for such public office shall forfeit such public office. If such conviction becomes final prior to the candidate taking the oath of office for such public office, the candidate shall forfeit the public office and shall not be allowed to hold such public office and such public office shall be declared vacant at the time such conviction becomes final. If the conviction for such election offense does not become final until after such candidate has taken the oath of office for such public office, then, at the time such conviction becomes final, he shall forfeit such public office and shall be, ipso facto, removed from such public office and such public office shall be declared vacant.

B. However, if such candidate held such public office at the time of the commission of the election offense, he shall be allowed to serve the remainder of the term he was then serving, but, at the time his conviction for the election offense becomes final, he shall forfeit the public office for the subsequent term. If he has taken the oath of office for the subsequent term, he shall, at the time the conviction for the election offense becomes final, forfeit such public office and shall be, ipso facto, removed from such public office and such public office shall be declared vacant.

C. Any vacancy in a public office occurring as a result of the provisions of this Section shall be filled as in the case of ordinary vacancies and according to the constitution and laws of the state.

Acts 2010, No. 797, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:567.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 567.1
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Subpart, the following words and terms shall have the meanings hereinafter ascribed to each, unless the context clearly indicates another meaning:

(1) "Board" means the State Board of Election Supervisors.

(2) "Complainant" means the person who files a complaint with the board under this Subpart.

(3) "Federal election" means a general, special, primary, or runoff election for federal office; and a primary election held for the expression of a preference for the nomination of individuals for election to the office of president.

(4) "Respondent" means any state or local election official whose actions relating to a federal election are asserted, in a complaint under this Subpart, to be in violation of Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002.

(5) "Title III" means Title III of the Help America Vote Act of 2002, P.L. 107-252, 52 U.S.C. 21081-21085.

Acts 2003, No. 423, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19, 2019.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:410.8 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 410.8
Candidates not affiliated with a major political party; qualifying for the general election
Status: in_force

A. Any person who desires to become a candidate in a general election for a party primary office and who is not registered as being affiliated with a major political party shall file his notice of candidacy, which shall be accompanied by a nominating petition as provided in R.S. 18:465, with the appropriate qualifying official during the qualifying period established for the party primary election. The number of signatures required on such a nominating petition shall be as set forth in R.S. 18:465.

B. A person filing a notice of candidacy as provided in Subsection A of this Section may be nominated only by persons who are qualified to vote on the office he seeks, who sign a nominating petition for him, and who are not affiliated with a major political party. The registrar of voters shall reject any signature on a nominating petition not in compliance with this Subsection.

Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2024, No. 640, §2, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, no. 386, §2, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:582 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 582
Applicability
Status: in_force

The provisions of this Title shall apply to the filling of vacancies for all offices in this state and its political subdivisions, except those offices for which specific provision otherwise is made or provided for in the constitution.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:431 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 431
Commissioners; courses of instruction; certificates; reports; list of certified persons furnished by parish board of election supervisors
Status: in_force

A.(1)(a) At least annually the clerk of court shall conduct a general course of instruction for commissioners. Each such course of instruction shall be open to the public, and the clerk shall publicize each course in a manner reasonably calculated to encourage maximum attendance and participation. For informational purposes, the registrar may assist the clerk of court in conducting the course.

(b) The clerk shall provide the following in accordance with minimum standards issued by the secretary of state to the persons who attend the course of instruction:

(i) A copy of the informational pamphlet provided by the secretary of state.

(ii) Instruction on the use of voting machines and the duties of commissioners in conducting primary and general elections.

(iii) Instruction on a commissioner's duty to offer any voter who does not have picture identification an affidavit to sign to that effect as provided in R.S. 18:562.

(iv) Instruction on a commissioner's duty to comply with the provisions of state and federal law pertaining to the rights of voters with disabilities, including the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq., as amended.

(c) The clerk shall issue a certificate of instruction to each person who attends the course of instruction for commissioners and achieves a satisfactory score on the test issued by the secretary of state for that course of instruction. The clerk is prohibited from issuing a certificate to any person who has not attended the course of instruction for commissioners and achieved a satisfactory score on the test for that course of instruction.

(2)(a) A certificate issued under the provisions of this Subsection to any person who attends and satisfactorily completes a course of instruction shall be valid through December thirty-first of the year of expiration of the term of office of the clerk who conducted the school.

(b) The certificate shall indicate that the commissioner shall notify the clerk of any change in party affiliation and that failure to do so shall result in the commissioner being unable to serve as a commissioner.

(c) After receiving notification of change in party affiliation from the commissioner, the clerk shall notify the parish board of election supervisors of such change.

(3)(a) After each course of instruction for commissioners is completed, the clerk of court shall promptly file a report with the parish board of election supervisors stating the time and place the course of instruction was held, the number of persons who attended the course, the manner in which the course was publicized, and the name, social security number, party affiliation, if any, and mailing address of each person who attended the course to whom a certificate of instruction was issued. The clerk of court shall also provide a report to the secretary of state in the manner required by the secretary of state.

(b) The parish board of election supervisors shall retain and preserve the reports for the unexpired term of office of the clerk who conducted the course of instruction.

(4) From the reports received from the clerk, the parish board of election supervisors shall prepare a list containing the names, addresses, and party affiliations of all persons registered to vote in each ward to whom certificates of instruction have been issued during the term of office of the clerk of court who issued the certificate.

(5) Repealed by Acts 2017, No. 176, §5, eff. June 14, 2017.

B.(1) The clerk of court shall conduct a course of instruction for commissioners-in-charge, commissioners, and alternate commissioners who are selected to serve in each election. The course shall be held after the selection of these officials but not less than four days prior to each election. The course shall primarily cover the procedures to be used in the election for which the officials were selected. The clerk of court shall instruct the commissioners-in-charge, commissioners, and alternate commissioners that it is their duty to offer any voter who does not have picture identification as provided in R.S. 18:562(A) an affidavit to sign to that effect.

(2) The clerk of court shall issue a certificate of instruction to each person who attends and satisfactorily completes the course of instruction provided for in this Subsection or maintain a list of such persons in the state voter registration computer system.

(3) After the completion of a course of instruction required by this Subsection, the clerk of court shall promptly file a report with the parish board of election supervisors stating the name of each person to whom a certificate was issued, the kind of certificate, the social security number, the party affiliation, and the mailing address of each such person. The clerk of court shall also provide a report to the secretary of state in the manner required by the secretary of state.

(4) The parish board of election supervisors shall furnish to each commissioner-in-charge a list of the names, addresses, and party affiliations of all persons registered to vote in the ward who have received certificates of instruction for the course of instruction required by this Subsection.

(5)(a) The clerk of court shall not be required to conduct the pre-election course of instruction provided for in this Subsection if at least fourteen days prior to the election, the clerk of court mails a notice to each commissioner-in-charge, commissioner, and alternate commissioner who has been chosen for the election informing them that the course of instruction will not be conducted for the election. In such case, for purposes of compensation and replacement, the commissioners from that parish shall be treated as though they had attended the pre-election course of instruction.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, the clerk of court shall conduct at least one pre-election course of instruction provided for in this Subsection prior to a presidential or congressional general election.

C. When a proposed constitutional amendment is to be included on an election ballot, prior to each course of instruction for commissioners and commissioners-in-charge for such election, the secretary of state shall furnish each clerk of court with a statement, which has been approved by the attorney general, explaining the scope and nature of such proposed amendment in simple, unbiased, concise, and easily understood language. Upon approval, such statement shall be posted on the website of the secretary of state at least until the election returns have been promulgated.

Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, No. 277, §1; Acts 1992, No. 949, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 526, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2004, No. 627, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2017, No. 176, §§1, 5, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2023, No. 277, §1, eff. June 9, 2023.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:109 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 109
Notice of registration and change in registration
Status: in_force

After receiving from the registrar the information concerning a new registrant or a change in name, address, or polling place made with respect to the registration of any person, the Department of State promptly shall deliver a notice to the appropriate registrar that the person is registered or that his registration has been changed. The department shall mail the notice, postage prepaid, to each new registrant and to each person whose registration was changed. The notice shall show the parish, ward, precinct, and registration address of the registrant. The notice shall list an abbreviation of the name of the political party if the registrant is registered as being affiliated with a recognized political party, "other" if the registrant is registered as being affiliated with a political party that is not recognized, or "no party" or an abbreviation thereof if the registrant is registered with no political party affiliation. However, the department shall not be required to send such a notice to any voter who is on the inactive list of voters unless the change in registration involves a change in the voter's address. The secretary of state shall prescribe the form to be used on the notice; however, "Return Service Requested" shall be printed on the front of the notice, and the return address shall be that of the appropriate registrar. When a notice is returned by the postmaster, the registrar shall proceed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Part V of this Chapter.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978; Acts 1987, No. 831, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 909, §§1 and 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 533, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1511.4.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1511.4.2
Subpoenas
Status: in_force

A.(1) The supervisory committee or the ethics administrator may subpoena witnesses, compel the production of books, records, and papers, or require the submission under oath of written reports or answers to questions, which the supervisory committee or the ethics administrator deems relevant or material to the investigation or hearing. The supervisory committee or ethics administrator shall require the submission under oath of written reports or answers to questions, or subpoena or compel the production of any books, records, and papers only upon a finding that the importance of the information sought outweighs the burden of producing the information.

(2) The ethics administrator shall provide to the supervisory committee a monthly report of the number of subpoenas issued by the supervisory committee and the ethics administrator in the prior month.

B. The respondent or any witness upon whom written questions have been propounded shall serve a copy of the written answers and objections, if any, within thirty days after the service of the questions.

C.(1) The respondent or any witness upon whom a subpoena has been served to compel the production of books, records, or papers shall serve a copy of the responses and objections, if any, within thirty days after the service of the subpoena.

(2) The respondent or any witness upon whom a subpoena has been served requiring the submission under oath of written reports shall produce the written reports within thirty days after the service of the subpoena.

(3) The supervisory committee shall promptly provide the respondent with a copy of questions propounded or subpoenas served upon any witness, as well as any answers, objections, books, records, or papers, or written reports produced, or transcripts or recordings of answers to questions produced under oath.

(4) Any demand, request, or subpoena propounded upon a respondent or witness, orally or in writing, shall be prefaced with advising the respondent or witness that he may exercise his constitutional right to counsel and may exercise his constitutional right not to incriminate himself.

(5) An oral examination under oath shall be conducted under conditions agreed upon by the respondent or witness, including that the examination occur in a certain place, at a certain time, or by phone or videoconference, or with counsel present, that the examination be transcribed or audio recorded, and that the respondent or witness promptly receive a copy of the transcript or audio recording.

D.(1) Upon petition by the supervisory committee or the Ethics Adjudicatory Board any district court within the jurisdiction of which any inquiry is being carried on may, in case of refusal to obey a subpoena or order of the supervisory committee or the Ethics Adjudicatory Board issued pursuant to this Chapter, issue an order requiring compliance. Any failure to obey the order of the court may be punished by the court as a contempt thereof.

(2) Before filing any petition to order compliance with a subpoena or order, counsel for the supervisory committee shall confer in person, by telephone, or by videoconference with the respondent or witness for the purpose of amicably resolving the dispute over the alleged failure of the respondent or witness to obey the subpoena or order. The counsel for the supervisory committee shall attempt to arrange a suitable conference date with the respondent or witness and confirm the date by written notice sent at least five days before the conference date, unless an earlier date is agreed upon by the respondent or witness. If by telephone or videoconference, the conference shall be initiated by the counsel for the supervisory committee.

Acts 2025, No. 398, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1282 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1282
Political subdivision defined
Status: in_force

For purposes of this Chapter, the term "political subdivision" means a state department, agency, board, or commission; a parish; a municipality; a school board and a school district; a levee board and a levee district; a port board and a port commission; a port, harbor, terminal and industrial district; and any special service district, including but not limited to a road, water, sewerage, fire, protection, recreation, gas utility, or garbage district, and any other board, district, or unit of local government authorized by law to conduct elections for the issuance of bonds, the levying or increasing of any tax, or the assumption of indebtedness.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 545, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1501.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1501.3
Gubernatorial transition and inauguration; contribution limits; reports
Status: in_force

A.(1) Any contribution received and accepted by the person elected governor, or any person on his behalf, following the date of his election and expenditures made from such contributions shall be reported by the governor to the supervisory committee as provided for in this Section.

(2) The person elected governor and any person accepting contributions on his behalf shall not accept contributions totaling more than twenty thousand dollars from any person.

B. As used in this Section:

(1) "Contribution" means a gift, loan, conveyance, payment, or deposit of money or any thing of value, including an in-kind contribution, made for the purpose of supporting the transition and any event, activity, or fund associated with the inauguration of the governor-elect. However, "contribution" shall not include funds received pursuant to R.S. 49:209 or the receipt and acceptance of a campaign contribution as defined in R.S. 18:1483.

(2) "Expenditure" means any use of a contribution.

(3) "Transition" means the effort to organize the operations of the governor-elect and includes the acquisition of funds to cover necessary office expenses, including the rental of office space, the employment of clerical and other assistance, and office provisions such as stationery, postage, telephone service, or other similar charges.

C. On or before the sixtieth day after the gubernatorial inauguration and by February twenty-eighth annually thereafter until all contributions have been expended or used, the governor shall file an all-inclusive report with the supervisory committee. Each report shall be complete through January thirty-first. Each report shall state:

(1) The full name and address of each person, natural or legal, who has made a contribution.

(2) The date and amount of each contribution and a brief description and valuation of each in-kind contribution.

(3) The full name and address of each person to whom an expenditure was made and the amount, date, and purpose of each expenditure and a description of the use of each in-kind contribution.

D. All reports required by this Section shall be:

(1) Filed electronically through the Board of Ethics Computerized Data Management System as provided in R.S. 42:1158.

(2) Filed on forms prepared for this purpose by the supervisory committee. Such forms shall be substantially similar to forms used for filings of campaign finance reports for candidates for statewide office.

(3) Accompanied by an affidavit by the governor certifying that the information contained in the report is true and correct to the best of his knowledge, information, and belief.

E. The governor shall be immune from civil liability as a result of any disclosure made pursuant to this Section.

F. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, all information required to be reported pursuant to this Section shall be public record, and all financial records of the transition and inauguration, including those of any legal entity that accepts contributions or makes expenditures for the transition or inauguration, shall be considered public records subject to the provisions of R.S. 44:1 et seq.

G. No person who contracts, is employed, or volunteers for a gubernatorial transition or inauguration shall be considered a public servant for purposes of the Code of Governmental Ethics by reason of such contract, employment, or volunteer service.

Acts 1997, No. 1263, §1; Acts 2008, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 4, §1, eff. April 26, 2008; Acts 2008, No. 514, §2, eff. June 30, 2008; Acts 2009, No. 430, §1, eff. July 7, 2009; Acts 2024, No. 664, §§3, 4, eff. Jan 1, 2025; Redesignated from R.S. 42:1125; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1; Acts 2025, No. 398, §§ 1, 5, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1511.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1511.5
Procedure for enforcement; civil
Status: in_force

A.(1)(a) When the results of the investigation by the supervisory committee indicate that a violation of this Chapter has occurred which is subject to civil penalties, the supervisory committee is authorized to file administrative proceedings to collect the civil penalties provided in R.S. 18:1505.4 or 1505.5.

(b) Before the supervisory committee files administrative proceedings, the supervisory committee shall:

(i) Provide the respondent with the final report of the staff of the supervisory committee regarding the investigation of the alleged violation by the respondent.

(ii) Provide the respondent with an opportunity to submit a brief response to the final report of the staff.

(iii) Provide the respondent with an opportunity to make a brief statement before the supervisory committee to address the final report of the staff and any factual or legal issues relevant to the alleged violation by the respondent. Such statement may be made in person, by telephone, or by videoconference during executive session of the supervisory committee, unless the respondent requests that his comments be made in open session. Statements made by the respondent in executive session shall not be recorded.

(2) The provisions of this Section shall not apply to any action for the payment of civil penalties due pursuant to R.S. 18:1505.4 for knowingly failing to file or knowingly failing to timely file, which shall be governed by R.S. 18:1511.4.1.

(3) These proceedings shall be filed with an adjudicatory panel of the Ethics Adjudicatory Board which shall conduct an adjudicatory hearing in accordance with the Code of Governmental Ethics.

(4) Except as provided in R.S. 18:1511.7, the respondent may remove these proceedings to the district court of the parish in which the respondent is domiciled. The proceedings shall be by rule to show cause and shall be conducted pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure.

B. In determining the amount of the civil penalty to be assessed, the Ethics Adjudicatory Board or district court shall take into consideration the reason for the failure to file timely, the reason for failing to disclose required information, the reason for inaccurately disclosing required information, the nature of the office sought by the candidate, the nature of the office or offices supported or opposed by a political committee or other person, the significance of the information undisclosed or inaccurately disclosed to the voting public, whether or not the candidate, the chairman or treasurer of the committee, or other person actually has filed a report or disclosed such information prior to the election or prior to the institution of the administrative proceeding or rule to show cause, the number and frequency of past violations, the amount, the amount that was not disclosed or disclosed untimely in relation to the total contributions received, and the impact of the violation upon any election and the electoral process.

C. A judgment of a district court assessing such civil penalties may be appealed suspensively to the appropriate court of appeal according to the provisions of the Code of Civil Procedure.

D. A judgment of a district court assessing civil penalties shall become executory when all delays for appeal have expired according to the Code of Civil Procedure and may be enforced as any other money judgment. However, the proceeds of such civil penalties shall be paid directly to the treasurer of the state of Louisiana.

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1982, No. 266, §1, eff. July 18, 1982; Acts 1988, No. 994, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 66, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1997; Acts 2012, No. 609, §1, eff. June 7, 2012; Acts 2024, No. 137, §1; Acts 2025, No. 398, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:131 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 131
Place of registration; office and mobile registration unit defined
Status: in_force

A. Except as otherwise provided by law, all acts required for registration shall require the personal appearance of the applicant or registrant and shall be done only in an office of the registrar.

B. For purposes of this Part, "office" includes any branch office or mobile registration unit authorized by law.

C. For purposes of this Part, "mobile registration unit" means an office on wheels or which is portable.

D. No registrar shall have or operate an office unless authorized by state law.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1404 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1404
Venue
Status: in_force

A.(1) An action objecting to a candidate or contesting an election shall be instituted in the district court for the parish where the state capitol is situated if the action involves an office filled by statewide election and shall be instituted in the district court for any parish included, in whole or part, in the district for the office the action involves.

(2) An action objecting to the calling of a special election shall be instituted in the district court for the parish where the governing authority calling such special election is domiciled. If the governor, president of the Senate, or speaker of the House of Representatives calls the special election, then an action objecting to the calling of such special election shall be instituted in the district court for the parish where the state capitol is situated.

B. An action contesting an election on a proposition, except an election on a proposed constitutional amendment, shall be brought in the district court for the parish where the governing authority calling the election is domiciled.

C. An action contesting an election upon a proposed constitutional amendment shall be brought in the district court for the parish where the state capitol is situated.

D. An action contesting the certification of a recall petition shall be instituted in the district court for a parish included in whole or in part in the voting area wherein the recall election is sought; however if the public officer sought to be recalled is a statewide elected official, an action contesting the certification of a recall petition shall be instituted in the district court for the parish where the state capitol is situated.

E. An action contesting an election for the recall of a public officer shall be instituted in the district court for a parish included in whole or in part in the voting area wherein the recall election is held; however, if the public officer recalled is a statewide elected official, an action contesting the election shall be instituted in the district court for the parish where the state capitol is situated.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2010, No. 621, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.26 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.26
Video draw poker devices; local option election; Natchitoches Parish
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the governing authority of Natchitoches Parish is hereby authorized to call and conduct an election on a proposition to allow the operation of video draw poker devices within that parish.

B.(1) The governing authority of Natchitoches Parish may call, by ordinance or resolution, an election on the proposition of whether the operation of video draw poker devices, as authorized by Chapter 8 of Title 27 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, shall be permitted within that parish.

(2) The ordinance or resolution shall specify the date of the election and the wording of the proposition to appear on the ballot.

C.(1) An election called as provided by this Section may be held on any date as provided by R.S. 18:402(F), provided it falls more than forty-five days but not more than six months after the meeting at which the resolution or ordinance calling the election is adopted.

(2) Except as provided in this Section, the election shall be held in accordance with the provisions of the Election Code governing proposition elections. Any elector who was qualified to vote in the election may demand a recount of the ballots or contest the election in the manner and within the time provided by law for recount or contest of elections under the Election Code.

D.(1) If a majority of the electors voting in the election authorized pursuant to the provisions of this Section vote to permit the operation of video draw poker devices, then video draw poker devices may be operated in Natchitoches Parish as provided by law.

(2) If a majority of the electors voting in an election authorized pursuant to the provisions of this Section vote not to permit the operation of video draw poker devices in Natchitoches Parish, then no license shall be issued to conduct the operation of video draw poker devices in Natchitoches Parish, and the operation of video draw poker shall be prohibited in that parish.

E. The governing authority of Natchitoches Parish shall promptly notify the Louisiana Gaming Control Board of the results of the election.

F. The cost of the election provided for by this Section shall be borne by the governing authority of Natchitoches Parish.

G. The election authorized pursuant to this Section shall take place only once.

Acts 2022, No. 125, §1, eff. May 25, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1286.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1286.1
Authority to consolidate polling places; reduction of number of voting machines and election officials
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any provision of R.S. 18:1286(A), when an election called under the provisions of this Chapter is not held at the same time as the election of any public official, in cases where a single location serves as the polling place of more than one precinct the parish board of election supervisors may consolidate the polling places in that location so that a single polling place may serve each precinct assigned to that location for that election and may reduce the number of voting machines to be used in the election below the number fixed by R.S. 18:1363 and, in such case, shall notify, in accordance with the time line provided in R.S. 18:1363(H), the parish custodian of voting machines and the secretary of state of the number of machines to be prepared and delivered to the location of the consolidated polling place.

B. When the parish board of election supervisors consolidates polling places as authorized by Subsection A of this Section, it shall appoint a commissioner-in-charge to serve all precincts assigned to the consolidated polling place and may reduce to not less than two the number of commissioners and alternate commissioners to be appointed to serve at the location of the consolidated polling place.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:503 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 503
Notice of withdrawal and disqualification
Status: in_force

A.(1) If the early voting election ballot was prepared with a withdrawn candidate's name on it, the registrar of voters of any parish where such ballot will be used shall, to the extent possible and upon direction of the secretary of state, cause notice to be posted of the withdrawal of such candidate at any location for early voting where the candidate's name appears on the ballot. Failure to post such notice of withdrawal shall not void the election.

(2) If the early voting election ballot was prepared with the name of a candidate who has been disqualified by final judgment of a court prior to the close of early voting for the election, the registrar of voters of any parish where such ballot will be used shall, to the extent possible and upon direction of the secretary of state, cause notice to be posted of the disqualification of the candidate at any location for early voting where the candidate's name appears on the ballot. Failure to post such notice of disqualification shall not void the election.

B.(1) If the election ballot was printed with a withdrawn candidate's name on it, the clerk of court of any parish where such ballot will be used shall, to the extent possible and upon direction of the secretary of state, cause notice to be posted of the withdrawal of such candidate at any polling place where the candidate's name appears on the ballot. Such notice shall be posted or placed adjacent to the precinct register so that it is clearly visible. The notice shall be capitalized and in bold typed print of not less than fourteen-point font. Failure to post such notice of withdrawal shall not void the election.

(2) If the election ballot was printed with the name of a candidate who has been disqualified by a final judgment of a court, the clerk of court of any parish where such ballot will be used shall, to the extent possible and upon direction of the secretary of state, cause notice to be posted of the disqualification of such candidate at any polling place where the candidate's name appears on the ballot. Such notice shall be posted or placed adjacent to the precinct register so that it is clearly visible. The notice shall be capitalized and in bold typed print of not less than fourteen-point font. Failure to post such notice of disqualification shall not void the election.

Acts 2005, No. 431, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2008, No. 764, §1, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2015, No. 410, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; Acts 2020, No. 35, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1264 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1264
Vacancies; procedure
Status: in_force

If one or more of the presidential electors fails for any cause to attend at the appointed place at 12:00 noon of the day prescribed for their meeting, the other electors shall fill the vacancy by voice vote by no later than 4:00 p.m. Any person selected to fill such a vacancy in the office of presidential elector from a congressional district shall be a qualified elector of the district for which the vacancy occurred.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:191.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 191.1
Address confirmation notice
Status: in_force

For the purposes of this Part, the Department of State shall develop an address confirmation notice which shall include a postage prepaid and preaddressed return notice sent by forwardable mail and shall inform the registrant about his voting rights under the address confirmation process. The address confirmation notice shall be submitted by the Department of State to the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs for review.

Acts 2024, No. 2, §1, eff. March 31, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1491.6.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1491.6.1
Leadership committees; reports required
Status: in_force

A. A leadership committee shall file monthly reports due no later than the fifteenth day of the month following a month in which the committee accepts a contribution or some other receipt or makes an expenditure or some other disbursement.

B. Monthly reports filed as provided in this Section shall include all of the information required to be included pursuant to R.S. 18:1491.7.

Acts 2025, No. 398, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:462 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 462
Officials with whom candidates qualify
Status: in_force

A. State candidates shall qualify for a primary election with the secretary of state or a person in his office designated to receive qualifying papers.

B. Local and municipal candidates shall qualify for a primary election with the clerk of court for the parish in which the candidate is registered to vote.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1991, 1st E.S., No. 1, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1902 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1902
State liaison
Status: in_force

A. The secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives, or their designees, jointly, shall serve as the state liaison with the United States Bureau of the Census on all matters related to the tabulation of population and other census information for purposes of reapportionment. The secretary and the clerk, jointly, may submit to the bureau, on behalf of the state, a plan identifying the geographic areas for which specific tabulations of population or other census information are desired for reapportionment purposes, in accordance with criteria established by the United States Secretary of Commerce, and may supply such other information as may be required by the census bureau or the Secretary of Commerce in order to furnish the state such tabulations.

B. The secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives, jointly, shall furnish the parish governing authorities and the parish registrars of voters instructions and assistance to enable them to provide the secretary and the clerk such maps and information as may be necessary to comply timely with the census bureau requirements.

Added by Acts 1976, No. 626, §1, eff. Aug. 4, 1976. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 559, §1, eff. July 22, 1982; Acts 1985, No. 670, §1, eff. July 16, 1985.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:542 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 542
Termination of voting
Status: in_force

A person who is in line to vote when the polls close on election day shall be allowed to vote. Voting in a primary or general election shall terminate (1) when the polls close, if no one is in line to vote at that time, or (2) when all the persons who were in line to vote at 8:00 p.m. have been allowed to vote.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1452 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1452
Costs of recount
Status: in_force

Upon the recount of the absentee by mail and early voting ballots, if the court determines that the original count of the absentee by mail and early voting ballots was correct or that the error would not have changed the result of the election, the cost of recounting shall be assessed against the party who demanded the recount. If the court determines that an error was made in the original count of the absentee by mail and early voting ballots that changed the result of the election, the cost of recounting the absentee by mail and early voting ballots shall not be assessed against any party.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.23 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.23
Riverboat gaming election; procedure; Bossier Parish
Status: in_force

A. A referendum election, as required by Article XII, Section 6(C)(2) of the Constitution of Louisiana, may be called by ordinance or resolution by the parish governing authority and may be held in Bossier Parish on July 19, 1997, or on a succeeding appropriate date selected by the parish governing authority and as provided by law, to consider the proposition of whether to allow additional riverboat gaming, gambling, or wagering operations and activities in Bossier Parish pursuant to a new license to be issued by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board in accordance with the decision of the board entered on March 13, 1997.

B. The proposition on the ballot shall be stated as follows: Shall additional riverboat gaming operations be allowed at a berth or docking facility in Bossier Parish pursuant to a new license to be issued by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board as provided in the board decision entered on March 13, 1997? Yes ( ) No ( )

C. If a majority of those voting thereon vote in favor of allowing such additional riverboat gaming operations and activities, then such additional gaming operations and activities may be conducted in Bossier Parish in accordance with law, subject, however, to the licensing and regulatory authority of the Louisiana Gaming Control Board. No such additional gaming operations and activities shall be conducted unless and until a license is issued by the Louisiana Gaming Control Board.

D. Except as provided in this Section, the election shall be conducted as provided in Chapter 6-B of this Title, including but not limited to those provisions providing for the responsibility of the parish governing authority to provide notice to the public as provided by law.

Acts 1997, No. 36, §1, eff. May 29, 1997.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1434 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1434
Waiver of objections to voter qualifications when voter is not challenged at the election
Status: in_force

An objection to the qualifications of a voter, except for an objection to a voter who should have been removed from the voter registration rolls pursuant to R.S. 18:173, or to an irregularity in the conduct of the election, which with the exercise of due diligence could have been raised by a challenge of the voter or objections at the polls to the procedure, is deemed waived.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1997, No. 591, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1491.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1491.2
Statement of dissolution
Status: in_force

A.(1) Each committee which after having filed an annual statement of organization wishes to dissolve shall file a statement of dissolution with the supervisory committee prior to dissolving stating that the committee has determined either of the following:

(a) That it no longer meets the criteria set forth in R.S. 18:1491.1(A).

(b) That it will no longer receive any contributions, loans, or transfers of funds and will no longer make any expenditures, loans, or transfers of funds.

(2) No committee which has unpaid debts or obligations or which has any funds on hand shall file a statement of dissolution until any debts or obligations have been paid or otherwise extinguished and any funds have been expended or otherwise distributed.

(3) A statement of dissolution shall include the following:

(a) A certified statement by the committee chairman and treasurer, if any, that the committee has not received contributions, transfers of funds, or loans, or made expenditures, transfers of funds, or loans in the aggregate during the calendar year in excess of one thousand dollars and does not anticipate doing so, or that the committee will receive no contributions, transfers of funds, or loans and will make no expenditures, transfers of funds, or loans, during the remainder of the calendar year.

(b) A report of contributions and expenditures containing the information required in R.S. 18:1491.7.

B. No committee shall dissolve or file a statement of dissolution as provided in Subsection A of this Section and reorganize under a modified name, charter, or organizational structure as a subterfuge to avoid the reporting and other requirements of this Part. Any committee which dissolves or files a statement of dissolution as provided in Subsection A of this Section and is thereafter recreated with substantially the same membership and purposes with the intent to avoid the requirements of this Part, for purposes of this Part, shall be deemed not to have been dissolved and shall be subject to the provisions of this Part as if no dissolution had taken place and no statement of dissolution filed. In addition, any committee which violates the provisions of this Subsection shall be subject to the penalties provided in R.S. 18:1505.4, 1505.5, and 1505.6.

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 2025, No. 398, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:66 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 66
Mandatory duties of registrar; ministerial character; compelling performance by mandamus or other process; appeal
Status: in_force

A. Except as otherwise provided by law, the duties of the registrar are ministerial in character and may be compelled by mandamus or other appropriate process or proceeding at the suit of two or more qualified electors of the parish he serves by any district court having jurisdiction of the parties. The proceeding shall be against the registrar as sole defendant and may be instituted and prosecuted without cost in the district court. It shall be heard and determined by preference, in term time or in vacation.

B.(1) An appeal shall be filed in the appropriate appellate court not later than the fifth day after the judgment is rendered and shall be tried on the original records and by preference over all other cases. The appellate court shall render its decision within twenty-four hours after submission.

(2) When the appeal is perfected, the clerk of the district court shall immediately notify the appellate court in writing. The appellate court shall immediately set the appeal for hearing, without waiting for the record actually to be received, and shall hear the case and render its decision without any delay. The appellate court shall convene in special session if necessary to hear the appeal.

(3) The cost of appeals shall be assessed individually against the losing parties. The appellant shall give bond for a sum to be fixed by the court to cover all such costs.

C. No application for rehearing shall be entertained, but the appellate court may, upon its own motion, correct manifest errors to which its attention is called; however, the case shall be reargued in case of a dissent, as required by Section 8 of Article V of the Louisiana Constitution.

D. An application for a writ or writs may be made to the Supreme Court of Louisiana for review of the action or inaction of the trial court or of the court of appeal not later than the fifth day after the action taken or, in the case of inaction, not later than the fifth day after the expiration of the delay lawfully allowed for the court to take the action sought.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Redesignated from R.S. 18:221 by Acts 2017, No. 176, §6, eff. June 14, 2017.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:567.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 567.2
Filing a complaint
Status: in_force

A. Any person who believes that there is a violation by any state or local election official of any provision of Title III may file a complaint, including a violation which has occurred, is occurring, or is about to occur. The complaint procedures set forth in this Subpart are limited to allegations of violations of Title III in a federal election.

B. The complaint shall be in writing, signed by the complainant, executed before a notary public, and sworn under oath. The complaint shall provide the name and mailing address of the complainant and shall include a description of the alleged violation that is sufficiently detailed to put the board and the respondent on notice of the nature of the alleged violation.

C. The complainant may use any of the following forms to file a complaint:

(1) The form provided by the secretary of state, subject to approval of the attorney general as to content.

(2) Any other form which contains the same information as required by the approved form prepared by the secretary of state.

D. A complaint shall be filed with the secretary of state and shall be filed within ninety days after the final certification of the federal election.

E. The complainant shall mail or deliver a copy of the complaint to each respondent.

Acts 2003, No. 423, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1432 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1432
Remedies
Status: in_force

A.(1) If the trial judge in an action contesting an election determines that it is impossible to determine the result of election, or the number of qualified voters who were denied the right to vote by the election officials was sufficient to change the result in the election if they had been allowed to vote, or the number of unqualified voters who were allowed to vote by the election officials was sufficient to change the result of the election if they had not been allowed to vote, or a combination of these factors would have been sufficient to change the result had they not occurred, the judge may render a final judgment declaring the election void and ordering a new party primary, primary, or general election for all of the candidates, or, if the judge determines that the appropriate remedy is the calling of a restricted election, the judge may render a final judgment ordering a restricted election, specifying the date of the election, the appropriate candidates for the election, the office or other position for which the election shall be held, and indicating which voters will be eligible to vote.

(2) If the trial judge in an action contesting an election for the recall of a public officer determines that: it is impossible to determine the result of election, or the number of qualified voters who were denied the right to vote by the election officials was sufficient to change the result in the election, if they had been allowed to vote, or the number of unqualified voters who were allowed to vote by the election officials was sufficient to change the result of the election if they had not been allowed to vote, or a combination of these factors would have been sufficient to change the result had they not occurred, the judge may render a final judgment declaring the election void and ordering a new recall election, or, if the judge determines that the appropriate remedy is the calling of a restricted election, the judge may render a final judgment ordering a restricted election, specifying the date of the election, and indicating which voters will be eligible to vote.

(3) If the trial judge in an action contesting an election on a proposition determines that it is impossible to determine the result of an election, or the number of qualified voters who were denied the right to vote by the election officials was sufficient to change the result in the election if they had been allowed to vote, or the number of unqualified voters who were allowed to vote by the election officials was sufficient to change the result of the election if they had not been allowed to vote, or a combination of these factors would have been sufficient to change the result had they not occurred, the judge may render a final judgment declaring the election void and ordering a new proposition election, or if the judge determines that the appropriate remedy is the calling of a restricted election, the judge may render a final judgment ordering a restricted election, specifying the date of the election, and indicating which voters will be eligible to vote.

B. If the trial judge determines that an action contesting an election or objecting to candidacy was filed frivolously, he may award all costs of court, plus a reasonable attorney fee, plus damages, to the defendant.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19, 2019; Acts 2024, No. 640, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §4, eff. June 20, 2025 .
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:512 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 512
Election of candidates in a general election
Status: in_force

A. Generally. The candidate who receives the most votes cast for an office in a general election is elected. If there are two or more offices of the same character to be filled, those candidates receiving the highest total number of votes shall be elected, to the number required to fill all of the offices.

B. Election of unopposed candidates. If, as a result of the death or withdrawal of one or more candidates, the number of candidates for an office in a general election does not exceed the number of persons to be elected to the office, the remaining candidates are declared elected by the people, and their names shall not appear on the ballot in the general election.

C. Effect of a tie vote. If, as a result of a tie vote in a general election, the number of candidates who would be elected to an office exceeds the number of persons to be elected to the office, the candidates who received the same number of votes for that office in the general election are not elected. The election for officers thus not elected shall be returned to the people on the fourth Saturday after the election date at which the tie vote occurred.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1977, No. 523, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1982, No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; Acts 2005, No. 282, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 560, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2024, No. 390, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1308.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1308.2
Voting absentee by mail for candidates for presidential nominee, presidential candidates, and congressional candidates
Status: in_force

A.(1) At least forty-six days before each presidential election, the secretary of state shall deliver to each registrar a sufficient quantity of absentee by mail ballots, envelopes, certificates, and instructions, including those to be electronically transmitted, for the election of the president of the United States to be used only by members of the United States Service and persons residing outside the United States who are registered to vote. The absentee by mail ballot shall be prepared according to law.

(2) At least forty-six days before each congressional primary and general election, the secretary of state shall deliver to each registrar a sufficient quantity of primary election absentee by mail ballots for congressional candidates and special absentee by mail ballots for congressional candidates as provided in R.S. 18:1306(A)(4), envelopes, certificates, and instructions, including those to be electronically transmitted, to be used only by members of the United States Service and persons residing outside the United States who are registered to vote.

(3) At least forty-six days before each presidential preference primary election, the secretary of state shall deliver to each registrar a sufficient quantity of absentee by mail ballots, envelopes, certificates, and instructions, including those to be electronically transmitted, for candidates for presidential nominee to be used only by members of the United States Service and persons residing outside the United States who are registered to vote.

B. Voting absentee by mail for candidates for presidential nominee, presidential candidates, and congressional candidates as provided in Subsection A of this Section shall be conducted pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter governing absentee by mail voting generally.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 778, §1, eff. Aug. 4, 1982; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2010, No. 624, §1, eff. June 25, 2010; Acts 2011, No. 195, §1, eff. June 24, 2011; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:401 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 401
Purpose and nature of primary and general elections
Status: in_force

A. Purpose. Primary and general elections are held to elect persons to Congress and to all the elective offices in this state, except the office of presidential elector.

B. Nature of primary elections. (1) Except for the election of persons to a party primary office in a party primary election, all qualified voters of this state may vote on candidates for public office in primary elections without regard to the voter's party affiliation or lack of it, and all candidates for public office who qualify for a primary may be voted on without regard to the candidate's party affiliation or lack of it.

(2) Nature of party primary elections. The nature of party primary elections shall be as provided in Part I-A of this Chapter.

C. Nature of general elections. All qualified voters of this state may vote on candidates for public office in general elections without regard to the voter's party affiliation or lack of it, and all candidates for public office who qualify for a general election may be voted on without regard to the candidate's party affiliation or lack of it.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2024, No. 640, §2, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §§ 3, 7, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1400.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1400.5
Costs and expenses of a presidential preference primary election
Status: in_force

A. Except as otherwise provided herein, the costs and expenses incurred for a presidential preference primary election shall be paid by the secretary of state as in gubernatorial elections.

B. When a local governing authority is required by this Chapter to pay the costs and expenses incurred for an election, and such election is scheduled to be held on the date of a presidential preference primary election, the local governing authority shall pay all costs and expenses incurred for such elections.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 681, §1, eff. July 21, 1983; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1511.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1511.1
Supervisory Committee on Campaign Finance Disclosure/Board of Ethics; functions; compensation; immunity
Status: in_force

A. The Supervisory Committee on Campaign Finance Disclosure is established. The Board of Ethics, as established in R.S. 42:1132, shall function as the supervisory committee to administer and enforce the provisions of this Chapter and the rules, regulations, and orders issued hereunder. The members of the Board of Ethics shall constitute the supervisory committee.

B. The members of the supervisory committee shall be paid the same per diem as members of the legislature for each day of attendance at committee meetings, and shall receive reimbursement for vouchered traveling, lodging, and other expenses at the rate established for state employees.

C. The members of the supervisory committee shall be immune from any civil liability for any official action taken in the exercise of their functions pursuant to or in connection with the provisions of this Chapter, except any wrongful and malicious act or gross negligence.

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 59, §1, eff. June 17, 1981.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:491 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 491
Standing to object to candidacy
Status: in_force

A. A registered voter may bring an action objecting to the candidacy of a person who qualified as a candidate in a primary election for an office for which the plaintiff is qualified to vote.

B. A registered voter may present evidence that a candidate has illegally qualified for elective office. The evidence may be presented to the respective parish district attorney, who may determine whether or not the evidence presented establishes grounds for objecting to such candidacy and if the district attorney makes such a determination he may file an action objecting to candidacy within the time limitation provided in R.S. 18:493.

C. In addition to the persons with standing to bring an action objecting to candidacy as provided in Subsections A and B of this Section:

(1) The Supervisory Committee on Campaign Finance Disclosure shall bring or join in an action objecting to the candidacy of a person who qualified as a candidate in a primary election for an office on the grounds provided in R.S. 18:492(A)(5).

(2) The Board of Ethics shall bring or join in an action objecting to the candidacy of a person who qualified as a candidate in a primary election for an office on the grounds provided in R.S. 18:492(A)(6).

(3) The Board of Ethics shall bring or join in an action filed pursuant to R.S. 18:492(A)(4) on the grounds that the person qualified in violation of R.S. 42:1113(A)(1)(b)(i).

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2003, No. 797, §1; Acts 2004, No. 896, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2008, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 16, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2015, No. 307, §1, eff. June 29, 2015; Acts 2021, No. 175, §1, eff. June 11, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:24 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 24
Powers and duties; authority to intervene in actions
Status: in_force

A. To accomplish the purposes of this Part and Subpart G of Part V of Chapter 5 of this Title, the board shall have the following powers, duties, and functions:

(1) To adopt, amend, and repeal such rules and regulations as are necessary for the transaction of its business and to implement the provisions of this Part and Subpart G of Part V of Chapter 5 of this Title.

(2) To conduct hearings as provided in this Part and Subpart G of Part V of Chapter 5 of this Title.

(3) To review election laws and procedures and to report to the legislature as required by this Part.

(4) To employ an executive director, legal counsel, and such other personnel as the board deems necessary and appropriate.

(5) To exercise such other powers and duties as are necessary to effectuate the purposes of the board as set forth in this Part and not inconsistent with such provisions.

(6) To conduct appeals of merit evaluations of registrars of voters as provided in R.S. 18:55.

B. To accomplish the purposes of Subpart G of Part V of Chapter 5 of this Title, the board shall also have the power and authority to hold hearings, subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, require the production of books and records, and do all other things necessary to discharge its duties and responsibilities.

Acts 1980, No. 681, §1, eff. July 24, 1980. Acts 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1988, No. 831, §1; Acts 2003, No. 423, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2016, No. 358, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1280.21 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1280.21
Presidential preference primary election
Status: in_force

A. A statewide presidential preference primary election shall be held on the last Saturday in March in 2024 and every fourth year thereafter for the purpose of allowing the electors of each political party in the state which has forty thousand or more registered members to express their preference for a person to be the nominee of the party for president of the United States.

B. Each elector voting in such election may vote only for a candidate who is affiliated with the same party as the elector.

C, D. Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 386, §6.

E. Repealed by Acts 2021, No. 377, §2, eff. Feb. 1, 2023.

Added by Acts 1979, No. 684, §1, eff. Dec. 1, 1979; S.C.R. No. 4, 1983 2nd Ex. Sess.; Acts 1986, No. 35, §1, eff. June 17, 1986; Acts 1986, No. 427, §1; Acts 2004, No. 678, §1; Acts 2006, No. 845, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2011, No. 293, §1; Acts 2014, No. 792, §1; Acts 2021, No. 377, §2, eff. Feb. 1, 2023; Acts 2021, No. 381, §1, eff. June 17, 2021; Acts 2024, No. 390, §1; Acts 2025, No. 386, §§ 1, 6.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1375 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1375
Duplicate keys
Status: in_force

Any duplicate or extra keys to the machines shall be sealed in an envelope by the parish custodian and the secretary of state and placed in a safe place. The seal shall not be broken or the keys used in any manner except with the consent of the parish custodian or the secretary of state.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19, 2019.