La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1283 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1283
Elections
Status: in_force

A. In every case in which the provisions of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974 as now existing or hereafter amended, or of law, as now existing or hereafter amended or enacted, requires the approval of voters at an election in a political subdivision as a prerequisite to the issuance of bonds, levying or increasing of any tax, or the assumption of indebtedness by said political subdivision, the election shall be held substantially in accordance with the election laws set forth in Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, except that the election shall be called, conducted, canvassed, promulgated, and notice thereof given by the governing authority of the political subdivision in accordance with the procedures hereinafter set forth.

B. The governing authority of the political subdivision may call a special election for any of these purposes to be held on any of the dates set forth in R.S. 18:402(F) and it shall call an election for any of these purposes when requested to do so by the petition in writing of one-fourth of the electors qualified to vote at an election.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 545, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2025, No. 6, §1, eff. May 20, 2025; §2, eff. Dec. 31, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1289 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1289
Penalty for violations
Status: in_force

A. In elections held under the provisions of this Chapter the commissioners shall have the same powers and duties in conducting the elections and in preserving order at the polls as are conferred and imposed upon similar officers under the provisions of this Title for other elections. Whatever is declared in Chapter 10 of this Title to be a felony, misdemeanor or other crime shall be the same for any election held under the provisions of this Chapter and shall be punished in the same manner.

B. Any willful failure or neglect to comply with the requirements of this Chapter or any willful violation by any officer, agent, or employee of any political subdivision availing itself of the provisions of this Chapter shall be punished by a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars or more than five hundred dollars or by imprisonment not exceeding one year, with or without hard labor, or by both fine and imprisonment.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 545, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1486 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1486
Proposition and recall elections; required reports
Status: in_force

A.(1) Any person, including a committee, who receives and accepts any contribution, loan, or transfer of funds, or makes any expenditure in support of or in opposition to a proposition or question submitted to the voters shall be required to file reports of such contributions and expenditures.

(2) Any person, including a committee, who receives and accepts any contribution, loan, or transfer of funds, or makes any expenditure in support of or in opposition to the recall of a public officer shall be required to file reports of such contributions and expenditures.

(3) Except as otherwise specifically provided in this Section and in R.S. 18:1505.4 and 1505.5, the provisions for reporting and filing requirements, prohibited practices, recordkeeping, and penalties applicable to committees shall apply to persons subject to the provisions of Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Subsection.

B. The requirements of Subsection A of this Section shall be applicable only if the aggregate amount of contributions, loans, and transfers of funds received and accepted or expenditures made equals or exceeds five thousand dollars at any time during the aggregating period. "Aggregating period" for purposes of this Section shall mean the period from the date on which the first contribution is received or the first expenditure is made by the person or committee, whichever is earlier, through the closing date for the last report required to be filed in accordance with this Chapter.

NOTE: Paragraph (C)(1) as amended by Acts 2025, No. 398, eff. June 20, 2025.

C.(1) The reports required as provided in Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section shall be filed not later than the thirtieth day prior to the election, which shall be complete through the fortieth day prior to the election, not later than the tenth day prior to the election, which shall be complete through the twentieth day prior to the election, and not later than the fortieth day after the election, which shall be complete through the thirtieth day after the election. During the period from midnight of the twentieth day prior to the election and extending through midnight of election day a report shall be filed within forty-eight hours after the time any contribution, loan, or transfer of funds is received and accepted or expenditure in excess of five thousand dollars is made; if such time falls other than during regular working hours, this report shall be filed with the supervisory committee on the next working day after the report is otherwise due. Such report shall provide information relative to such contributions, loans, and transfers of funds and expenditures in excess of five thousand dollars as provided in R.S. 18:1491.6(C). If the report filed on the fortieth day after the election shows a deficit, the person or committee reporting shall be required to file supplemental reports as required by R.S. 18:1491.6(D).

NOTE: Paragraph (C)(1) as repealed by Acts 2025, No. 398, eff. June 20, 2025.

C.(1) Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 398, §4, eff. June 20, 2025.

(2) Any person or committee who is required to file reports as provided in Paragraph (A)(2) of this Section shall file reports as provided in this Chapter according to the following schedule:

(a) Not later than the forty-fifth day after the initial filing of the copy of the recall petition with the secretary of state as provided in R.S. 18:1300.2(C), which report shall be complete through the thirty-fifth day after the filing of the copy of the recall petition with the secretary of state.

(b) Not later than the one hundred thirty-fifth day after the filing of the copy of the recall petition with the secretary of state, which report shall be complete through the one hundred twenty-fifth day after the filing of the copy of the recall petition with the secretary of state.

(c) Not later than the two hundredth day after the filing of the copy of the recall petition with the secretary of state, which report shall be complete through the one hundred ninetieth day after the filing of the copy of the recall petition with the secretary of state, which report shall be the final report, unless the report shows a deficit, in which case supplemental reports shall be filed as required in R.S. 18:1491.6(D), or unless the person or committee is required to file reports as provided in Subparagraph (d) of this Paragraph.

NOTE: Subparagraph (C)(2)(d) as amended by Acts 2025, No. 398, eff. June 20, 2025.

(d) If the recall effort is successful in having the recall question submitted to the voters, the person or political committee shall be required to file reports as provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

NOTE: Subparagraph (C)(2)(d) as repealed by Acts 2025, No. 398, eff. June 20, 2025.

(d) Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 398, §4, eff. June 20, 2025.

Acts 1987, No. 722, §1, eff. July 16, 1987; Acts 1988, No. 994, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1990, No. 180, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1995, No. 1046, §1, eff. June 29, 1995; Acts 2010, No. 778, §1, eff. June 30, 2010; Acts 2025, No. 398, §§ 1, 4, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1487 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1487
Reports, name and address
Status: in_force

Whenever the full name and address of a person is required to be in a report in this Chapter, the party responsible for filing the report shall list the full name and address of the person or the best information he can obtain regarding that person if the full name and/or address is not available.

Added by Acts 1988, No. 994, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:404 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 404
Ranked-choice voting and instant runoff voting prohibited; exception
Status: in_force

A. A ranked-choice voting or instant runoff voting method shall not be used in determining the election or nomination of any candidate to any local, state, or federal elective office in this state.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section, all votes cast by military and overseas voters by special absentee by mail ballots in accordance with the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act and this Title shall be counted in accordance with the provisions of this Title.

Acts 2024, No. 291, §1, eff. May 28, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1361 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1361
Approval of voting systems or system components; certificate; expenses of examination
Status: in_force

A. Prior to the procurement and use of any new voting system, the secretary of state shall examine any type or make of voting system or system component upon the request of a representative of the maker or supplier thereof for compliance with the certification standards promulgated pursuant to R.S. 18:1353. If the secretary of state determines that the voting system or system component complies with the certification standards, he shall approve that voting system or system component for use in this state and shall issue his certificate of approval thereof.

B. In addition to meeting any applicable certification standards, any voting system or system component procured or used in the state must have been certified according to the voluntary voting system guidelines developed and maintained by the United States Election Assistance Commission upon testing conducted by a voting system test laboratory accredited by the United States Election Assistance Commission. This certificate, together with any relevant reports, drawings, and photographs, shall be a public record.

C. The secretary of state shall contract with no fewer than three but no more than five qualified independent experts to assist him in performing the state certification examination provided for in this Section. The expenses of the services of such experts shall be paid prior to the examination by the person requesting examination of the voting system or system component. Experts contracted to assist with the examination shall sign the certificate of approval made by the secretary of state. No voting system or system component shall be used at any election which has not been approved and certified by the secretary of state as provided in this Section.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2014, No. 60, §1, eff. May 16, 2014; Acts 2018, No. 584, §1, eff. May 28, 2018; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19, 2019; Acts 2021, No. 480, §1, eff. July 1, 2021; Acts 2025, No. 208, §§ 1, 2, eff. June 8, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1505.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1505.1
Failure to submit report; failure to file report timely or properly
Status: in_force

A. Failure to submit the reports required by this Chapter shall constitute a violation of this Chapter. Failure to submit any such report within three days after the final date for filing shall be presumptive evidence of intent not to file the report.

B. Failure to submit the reports required by this Chapter at the time required shall constitute a violation of this Chapter.

C. Failure to disclose or failure to disclose accurately any information required to be reported by this Chapter shall constitute a violation of this Chapter.

D. Failure to properly submit statements in accordance with R.S. 18:1491.1 shall constitute a violation of this Chapter.

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1988, No. 994, §2, eff. July 27, 1988; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:451 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 451
Qualifications of candidates
Status: in_force

A person who meets the qualifications for the office he seeks may become a candidate and be voted on in a primary or general election if he qualifies as a candidate in the election. Except as otherwise provided by law, a candidate shall possess the qualifications for the office he seeks at the time he qualifies for that office. In the event that the qualifications for an office include a residency or domicile requirement, a candidate shall meet the established length of residency or domicile as of the date of qualifying, notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary. No person, whether or not currently registered as a voter with the registrar of voters, shall become a candidate if he is under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, Jan. 1, 1978. Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 2001, No. 172, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:424 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 424
Commissioners-in-charge
Status: in_force

A. Number. There shall be one commissioner-in-charge at every precinct.

B. Qualifications. A commissioner-in-charge shall possess the following qualifications:

(1) He shall be a qualified voter in the parish in which he is to serve who is able to perform the essential duties of a commissioner-in-charge as described in the informational pamphlet developed by the secretary of state pursuant to R.S. 18:421(C).

(2) He shall not be a candidate for election to public office nor be a member of the immediate family of a candidate for election to public office in the precinct in which he serves.

(3) He shall not have been convicted of an election offense enumerated in Chapter 10 of this Title.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in R.S. 18:433, he shall have successfully completed a general course of instruction for commissioners-in-charge and provided his correct party affiliation to the clerk.

(5) He shall have served as a commissioner in at least two elections during the last four years.

(6) No person who is required to register as a sex offender or child predator pursuant to R.S. 15:542 may serve as a commissioner-in-charge.

C. Powers and duties. (1) The commissioner-in-charge shall receive the sealed key envelope from the deputy parish custodian of voting machines at least thirty minutes before the polls open on election day. The commissioner-in-charge shall administer the oath to the commissioners and preside over the election, the printing of the results from the voting machines, and the closing of the polling place. He also shall deliver the keys to the voting machines, if applicable, the original of the machine certificates, the original of the signed list of commissioners, results cartridges, and one of the official election results reports to the clerk of court.

(2) The commissioner-in-charge shall not electioneer, engage in political discussions, unnecessarily delay a voter at the polls, or prepare a list of persons voting at the polling place other than the official poll lists.

D. Oath of office. Every commissioner-in-charge shall take the constitutional oath or affirmation. The original oath, signed by the commissioner-in-charge and the officer administering the oath, shall be filed with the parish board of election supervisors before the day of the first election during the term of office for which he has been selected to serve as commissioner-in-charge.

E. Notice of service. The clerk of court of each parish shall transmit to the Department of State the names, addresses, and social security numbers of all persons who served as commissioners-in-charge on election day in that parish no later than seven days after the election. Upon receipt of such information from the parish clerks of court, the Department of State shall compensate any commissioner-in-charge who has served at a polling place on an election day the amount provided in R.S. 18:426.1 within thirty days.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 471, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978; Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1980; Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; 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 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 1993, No. 465, §1; Acts 1995, No. 310, §1; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 1124, §1, eff. July 2, 2003; Acts 2004, No. 526, §2, eff. June 25, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 693, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2016, No. 281, §1, eff. May 31, 2016; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2023, No. 221, §1, eff. June 8, 2023.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:108 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 108
Prior registration; surrender of notice of registration before new registration; change of place of registration
Status: in_force

A. If the registrant's application indicates that the applicant previously registered as a voter in any other parish, and if the previous notice of registration is available, then before making a new registration the registrar shall require the applicant to surrender his previous notice for cancellation. The registrar shall promptly notify the registrar of the parish in which the applicant has registered previously, through the statewide voter registration system, of the present registration. The other registrar shall verify the cancellation of the voter's registration in the other parish; however, the cancellation shall not be made as long as the registrant has the right to vote in the parish of his former residence as provided in R.S. 18:110(C).

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section, the statewide voter registration system may identify a duplicate registration based upon criteria as established by the Department of State. If all criteria correspond exactly, the Department of State or the registrar receiving a new registration shall transfer the registration through the statewide voter registration system to the parish of the registrar receiving the new application, which shall cancel such duplicate registration in the other parish; however, the cancellation shall not be made as long as the registrant has the right to vote in the parish of his former residence as provided in R.S. 18:110(C). The Department of State shall promptly give notice of any cancellation made pursuant to this Subsection to the registrar of the parish in which the applicant was previously registered.

C. For any voter whose registration has been canceled because the voter has registered in another parish or in another state, if such voter makes application to register in the parish in which he was previously registered to vote, and the registrar determines that he is qualified to register to vote in that parish, the voter's information in the statewide voter registration system from his previous registration shall be reinstated, except that any necessary changes shall be made to such information, including but not limited to the voter's new address, and he shall receive an updated notice of registration.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 544, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 255, §1, eff. June 8, 2006; Acts 2007, No. 240, §1; Acts 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1290 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1290
Qualification of voters
Status: in_force

A. All qualified electors of the political subdivision ordering the election shall be entitled to vote in an election on the issuance of bonds, levying or increase of a tax, or the assumption of indebtedness by the political subdivision, and such bonds may be issued, such tax levied or increased, or indebtedness assumed if approved by a vote of a majority in number of the qualified electors voting on the proposition at such election as is provided in this Chapter. No voter shall be required to sign a ballot or vote assessed valuation of property.

B. The registrar of voters shall furnish to the election commissioners appointed to hold the election the precinct register for each precinct or polling place. No defect or irregularity in or omission from the register so furnished shall affect the validity of the election unless it is established that the voters were thereby deprived of votes sufficient in number to have changed the result of the election.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 545, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1505.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1505.6
Criminal penalties
Status: in_force

A.(1) It shall be unlawful for any candidate, treasurer, or chairman of a committee, or any other person required to file reports under this Part to knowingly, willfully, and fraudulently fail to file or knowingly, willfully, and fraudulently fail to timely file any such report.

(2) Any candidate, treasurer, or chairman of a committee, or any other person required to file reports under this Chapter who knowingly, willfully, and fraudulently fails to file such report or knowingly, willfully, and fraudulently fails to file such report timely shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to not more than six months in a parish jail or to pay a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or both.

B.(1) It shall be unlawful for any candidate, treasurer, or chairman of a committee, or any other person required to file reports under the Chapter knowingly, willfully, and fraudulently to fail to disclose, or knowingly, willfully, and fraudulently to disclose inaccurately, any information required to be disclosed in the reports required by this Chapter.

(2) Any candidate, treasurer, or chairman of a committee, or any other person required to file such reports who knowingly, willfully, and fraudulently fails to disclose any such information or who knowingly, willfully, and fraudulently fails to accurately disclose such information shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to not in excess of six months in the parish jail or to pay a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or both.

C. Any candidate, chairman of a committee, treasurer, person required to file reports under this Chapter, or any other person who knowingly, willfully, and fraudulently violates any provision of R.S. 18:1505.2 or 1505.3, or any other provision of this Chapter shall, upon conviction, be sentenced to not in excess of six months in the parish jail or to pay a fine of not more than five hundred dollars, or both.

D.(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to commit an intentional criminal violation of the provisions of R.S. 18:1501.1(A)(2).

(2) Any person who commits an intentional criminal violation of R.S. 18:1501.1(A)(2) shall, upon conviction, be fined not more than twice the amount of such expenditure or compensation or imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years, or both.

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981. Acts 1988, No. 994, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 2008, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 27, §1, eff. March 30, 2008; Acts 2025, No. 398, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:451.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 451.2
Qualifications of candidates for sheriff, tax assessor, and clerk of court
Status: in_force

At the time he files his notice of candidacy, a candidate for sheriff, tax assessor, or clerk of court shall have resided in the state for the preceding two years and shall have been actually domiciled for the preceding year in the parish from which he seeks election. The provisions of this Section shall not affect persons holding office on August 15, 1999.

Acts 1999, No. 1381, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:65 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 65
Retirement or resignation of a registrar
Status: in_force

A. A registrar who retires or resigns shall file a notice of retirement or resignation with the secretary of state.

B. A notice of retirement or resignation of a registrar shall be in writing, shall be dated, may specify a prospective date on which the retirement or resignation is to be effective, and shall be signed by the registrar and duly acknowledged by him before an officer authorized to administer oaths.

C. Upon receiving a notice of retirement or resignation from a registrar, the secretary of state shall immediately transmit a copy of the notice to the governing authority for the parish of the registrar who filed the notice.

D. A notice of retirement or resignation of a registrar 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.

Acts 2016, No. 281, §1, eff. May 31, 2016.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1253 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1253
Nominating by political parties; certificates of nomination
Status: in_force

A. Nominations for candidates for presidential electors made by each recognized political party shall be made in such manner as shall be determined by a resolution adopted by the state central committee of the respective recognized political party. Each recognized political party shall nominate a full slate of candidates for elector, one from each congressional district and two from the state at large.

B. The names of candidates for presidential elector nominated by each recognized political party shall be filed with the secretary of state by a sworn statement, which shall be known as a certificate of nomination. The certificate of nomination shall be sworn to, signed, and filed by the chairman and secretary of the state central committee, except when the state central committee orders the nomination of presidential electors by a convention, in which case the chairman and secretary of the convention shall swear to, sign, and file the certificate of nomination.

C. Each certificate of nomination shall contain: (1) the name and place of residence, including the street and number thereof, if any, of each candidate for presidential elector; (2) the particular office of presidential elector for which each is nominated, that is, the district for which each has been chosen or the designation "At large" in the case of the two at large candidates; (3) the name of the recognized political party making the nomination; (4) the names of the candidates for president and vice president supported by the party. In addition, a certificate of nomination filed by the chairman and secretary of a state central committee shall certify the adoption by the state central committee of the resolution of the committee which authorized the method of nomination, the method of nomination used, and the time and place where the nomination took place. Similarly, a certificate of a nominating convention also shall certify the adoption by the state central committee of the resolution which authorized the convention, the time and place where the convention was held, and the election of the chairman and secretary. Each certificate of nomination filed with the secretary of state shall be accompanied by the notarized affidavit of each candidate for elector signifying that the certificate constitutes his acceptance of the nomination.

D. The certificate of nomination shall constitute full proof of the nominations it recites and shall entitle the candidates for electors to each receive the number of votes received in the election by the party's candidate for president.

E. If the nominees for the offices of president and vice president nominated by a national convention of a recognized political party, together with a slate of candidates for the offices of presidential electors to support such nominees, are not properly certified to the secretary of state by the state central committee of that party prior to 4:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday in August of each year in which a presidential election is to be held, the national chairman of the political party, after notifying the chairman of the state central committee of that political party, shall certify a slate of electors to support such nominees by 4:30 p.m. on the first Friday following the third Tuesday in August. Such certificate filed with the secretary of state shall be accompanied by the notarized affidavit of each candidate for elector signifying that the certificate constitutes his acceptance of the nomination.

F. If the certificate of nomination and notarized affidavit of each candidate for elector are not filed timely with the secretary of state, the secretary of state shall endorse the date and time of receipt upon all documents and shall return them forthwith, either personally or by registered or certified mail, to the national chairman of the political party.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 588, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1982, No. 778, §1, eff. Aug. 4, 1982; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 2007, No. 240, §1; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1272 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1272
United States senators; representatives in congress; time of electing
Status: in_force

A. Elections for representatives in congress shall be held in the manner and at the times provided in this Code.

B. One United States senator shall be elected in the year 1980, and every six years thereafter, at the same time and at the same polling places as representatives in Congress. In the same manner, one United States senator shall be elected in the year 1978, and every six years thereafter.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 523, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1982, No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2012, No. 139, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; 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. § 18:104 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 104
Application for registration; form
Status: in_force

A. The secretary of state, subject to approval by the attorney general as to content, shall prescribe the form that shall be used uniformly by each registrar in the state and any person authorized to accept voter registration applications in registering qualified citizens to vote. The form shall contain spaces for at least the following required information to be provided by the applicant for the registrar of voters to assess eligibility:

(1) Date of application.

(2) Name.

(3) Date of birth.

(4) Place of residence, including street or apartment number or both, municipality (if any), and if a rural address, sufficient information, in addition to route and post box number, to identify the precinct of residence, and mailing address.

(5) Louisiana driver's license number or Louisiana special identification card number, if issued, or if no Louisiana driver's license or Louisiana special identification card has been issued, the last four digits of the social security number, if issued. The full social security number of the applicant may be provided on a voluntary basis by the applicant. If the applicant has neither a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana special identification card, or a social security number, the applicant shall attach one of the following items to his application:

(a) A copy of a current and valid photo identification.

(b) A copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check, paycheck, or other government document that shows the name and address of the applicant.

B. The form shall also contain spaces for the following additional information to be provided by the applicant with the initial application or in response to a request for additional information by the registrar of voters for clear and sufficient identification of the applicant as the person he claims to be and subsequently for his identification at the polls:

(1) Sex.

(2) Race or ethnic origin, which shall at least include Hispanic, American Indian, Asian, and other as choices.

(3) A single political party affiliation or, if none, an entry to that effect.

(4) Place of birth.

(5) Mother's maiden name.

(6) Electronic mail address.

(7) Telephone number.

(8) Whether the applicant requires assistance when he votes, and if so, the reason therefor. If the person is unable to read or write English, the form shall show in which language he is entitled to printed materials and ballots and assistance if his language is one of a minority language group as determined pursuant to the federal Voting Rights Act.

(9) Last residence address.

(10) Place of last registration.

(11) Former registered name, if applicable.

C.(1) The form shall inform the applicant of the penalty for violation of applicable laws relating to registration of voters and shall contain an attestation to be subscribed, through a handwritten signature, attesting to each of the following:

(a) That the applicant is a United States citizen.

(b) That the applicant is not currently under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony or, if the applicant is under such an order, that the applicant has not been incarcerated pursuant to the order within the last five years and he is not under an order of imprisonment related to a felony conviction pursuant to election fraud or any other election offense pursuant to R.S. 18:1461.2.

(c) That the applicant is not currently under a judgment of full interdiction for mental incompetence, or a limited interdiction in which the right to register to vote has specifically been suspended.

(d) That the facts given by him on the application are true to the best of his knowledge and belief.

(2) If the applicant is unable to write, the applicant shall affix his mark to the application in the presence of two witnesses who shall also sign their names as witnesses to the mark.

(3) When the registration application is completed at the office of motor vehicles of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections or electronically on the secretary of state's website, an electronically captured signature of the applicant shall suffice as a handwritten signature of the applicant.

D.(1) The form shall include the questions "Are you a citizen of the United States of America?" and "Will you be 18 years of age on or before election day?" and the statement "If you checked 'no' in response to either of these questions, do not complete the form.".

(2) Each applicant shall include with his application proof of United States citizenship.

E. In no event shall information with respect to race or ethnic origin be required for registration. However, such information may be given voluntarily by the applicant for registration and a registrar may keep statistics with respect to race and ethnic origin.

F. Upon request, the registrar shall furnish each applicant a copy of his application form without redaction, and the applicant shall be informed that he may obtain such copy.

G. The secretary of state may require such reasonable additional information as he deems necessary for the effective registration of voters.

H. No voter registration application form except that prescribed by the secretary of state shall be used by any registrar.

I. The secretary of state may remove any spaces for information on the form required by this Section if such requirement does not receive preclearance pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

J. No voter registration application shall be complete unless the applicant provides one of the forms of identification provided for in Paragraph (A)(5) of this Section.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1977, No. 544, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1979, No. 446, §1; Acts 1981, No. 77, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, No. 201, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1032, §7; Acts 2003, No. 1022, §1; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §2, eff. July 3, 2003; Acts 2004, No. 575, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2006, No. 403, §1, eff. June 15, 2006; Acts 2009, No. 187, §1, eff. April 1, 2010; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2014, No. 60, §1, eff. May 16, 2014; Acts 2017, No. 176, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2018; Acts 2018, No. 636, §1, eff. March 1, 2019; Acts 2019, No. 374, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2020; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023; Acts 2024, No. 500, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:652 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 652
Retirements and resignations
Status: in_force

A. Except for members of the legislature and the congress, all notices of retirements or resignations of elected officials shall be filed with the secretary of state. Notices of retirements and resignations of members of the legislature shall be filed with the presiding officer of the house of the legislature to which the member of the legislature was elected.

B. A notice of retirement or resignation shall be in writing, shall be dated, may specify a prospective date on which the retirement or resignation is to be effective, and shall be signed by the official and duly acknowledged by him before an officer authorized to administer oaths.

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.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:177.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 177.1
Satisfaction of order of imprisonment; provision of information relative to registration and reinstatement
Status: in_force

The Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall provide each person who completes all orders of imprisonment applicable to him for felony convictions with the following:

(1) Information apprising the person of the requirements and procedures for registering to vote and for reinstatement of registration.

(2) A state mail voter registration application.

Acts 2008, No. 604, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 4
Witness requirements
Status: in_force

A. Whenever a document required by or provided for in this Code is required to be witnessed, the witness shall be at least eighteen years of age.

B. Each witness who signs an absentee by mail ballot certificate as required by this Code shall provide his mailing address in the appropriate space on the certificate.

Acts 2024, No. 302, §2, eff. July 1, 2025; Acts 2024, No. 712, §1, eff. July 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:531.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 531.1
Exception to opening polls; alternative voting locations
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the polling place for a particular precinct shall not be required to be opened in either of the following circumstances:

(1) When it is determined by the registrar of voters that there are no voters eligible to vote in the voting district in the precinct for any office or proposition on the ballot.

(2) When it is determined by the registrar of voters after the close of early voting, that all voters eligible to vote in the precinct have voted absentee by mail or during early voting.

B. The registrar of voters shall notify the secretary of state and the other members of the parish board of election supervisors of all such determinations.

C. Whenever the polling place for a precinct to which a voter is assigned is not opened pursuant to the provisions of Subsection A of this Section and it is subsequently determined on election day that a voter is eligible to vote and has not voted absentee by mail or during early voting, the voter may cast his vote at the polling place nearest the precinct at which he is registered, provided such polling place has the ballot for which he is eligible to vote on a voting machine. The registrar of voters shall authorize a commissioner at the nearest polling place to allow the voter to vote after the voter completes and signs the affidavit of voter form. If no such polling place is available, the voter may cast his vote by paper ballot in the office of the registrar of voters or at a location designated by the registrar.

Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2005, No. 220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2014, No. 60, §1, eff. May 16, 2014.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:57 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 57
Reduction of compensation while holding office or employment prohibited
Status: in_force

A. The compensation of any registrar, chief deputy, or other unclassified employee which is payable in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 18:55 and 59 shall not be reduced while he holds his office or position, or as a result of promotion.

B. Subsequent to the 1990 federal decennial census, if the most recent population figures referred to in R.S. 18:55(A) and 59(B) and (C) decrease from the prior population figures so as to change the population range of the parish, the registrar of voters, chief deputy, and confidential assistant shall be compensated at the population range for such prior parish population while each holds his office. If the most recent population figures referred to in R.S. 18:55(A) and 59(B) and (C) increase over the prior parish population so as to change the population range of the parish, the registrar of voters, chief deputy, and confidential assistant shall receive an increase in compensation to the nearest step in the new population range or a minimum increase of five hundred dollars for the registrar, three hundred dollars for the chief deputy, and two hundred dollars for the confidential assistant.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978; Acts 1991, No. 395, §1, eff. July 1, 1991.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:501 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 501
Procedure for withdrawal
Status: in_force

A.(1)(a) A candidate in a primary election may withdraw from the election by filing notice of his withdrawal with the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the seventh day after the close of the qualifying period.

(b) A candidate in a first party primary election may withdraw from the election by filing notice of his withdrawal with the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the seventh day after the close of the qualifying period.

(c) The notice of withdrawal shall be signed by the candidate and duly acknowledged by him before an officer authorized to administer oaths.

(2)(a) The secretary of state shall not accept a notice of withdrawal that does not satisfy the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. 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, to the candidate. The provisions of this Subparagraph shall not apply to a notice of withdrawal filed pursuant to a court order as provided in R.S. 18:494(B).

(b) The secretary of state shall forward a copy of a notice of withdrawal that satisfies the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection or was filed pursuant to a court order as provided in R.S. 18:494(B) and that was filed by a local or municipal candidate to the president of the board of election supervisors and the clerk of court of the parish in which the candidate has qualified.

B.(1)(a) A candidate in a general election may withdraw from the election by filing notice of his withdrawal with the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the ninth day after the date of the primary election.

(b) A candidate in a general election for a party primary office may withdraw from the election by filing notice of his withdrawal with the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the ninth day after the second party primary election date, regardless of whether a second party primary election is held.

(c) The notice of withdrawal shall be signed by the candidate and duly acknowledged by him before an officer authorized to administer oaths.

(2)(a) The secretary of state shall not accept a notice of withdrawal that does not satisfy the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. 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, to the candidate.

(b) The secretary of state shall forward a copy of a notice of withdrawal that satisfies the requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection and that was filed by a local or municipal candidate to the president of the board of election supervisors and the clerk of court of the parish in which the candidate has qualified.

C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections A and B of this Section, if the number of candidates remaining in a primary election, second party primary election, or general election for a public office is one more than the number of persons to be elected to the office, the secretary of state shall accept a notice of withdrawal that is filed prior to 4:30 p.m. on the second day prior to the first day of early voting. The candidate or candidates remaining after the withdrawal shall be declared elected by the people.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 1987, No. 831, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 329, §1; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2015, No. 410, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2016; Acts 2018, No. 657, §1, eff. June 1, 2018; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19, 2019; Acts 2025, No. 386, §2, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1551 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1551
Exception
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Chapter, the provisions of this Part shall apply when a candidate dies leaving a deficit or surplus which would have otherwise required reports to be filed if the candidate were not deceased.

Acts 2011, No. 208, §1; Acts 2024, No. 390, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1451 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1451
Recount of absentee by mail and early voting ballots authorized
Status: in_force

Prior to the trial of an election contest, a party to the suit by ex parte motion may seek a recount of the absentee by mail and early voting ballots if he alleges that there is an error in the counting of the absentee by mail and early voting ballots which would have changed the outcome of the election.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:675 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 675
Subpart not exclusive
Status: in_force

The provisions of this Subpart shall not be construed as the exclusive procedure for declaration of vacancy in public office and shall not be construed to repeal any other provision of law for the removal of public officers or declaration of vacancy in public office.

Acts 1988, No. 550, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1988.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:23 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 23
State Board of Election Supervisors
Status: in_force

A. The State Board of Election Supervisors is created and established in the Department of State as provided in R.S. 36:802. The board shall be composed of the following persons:

(1) The lieutenant governor.

(2) The secretary of state.

(3) The attorney general.

(4) The commissioner of elections or a designee of the secretary of state, as determined by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall notify the board in writing of any such designation.

(5) One member of the Clerks of Court Association, who shall be elected by the membership thereof to serve a four year term concurrent with that of the governor. A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(6) One member of the Registrars of Voters Association, who shall be elected by the membership thereof to serve a four year term concurrent with that of the governor. A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(7) One member, who shall be appointed by the governor from a list of nominees submitted by the presidents of Centenary College at Shreveport, Dillard University at New Orleans, Louisiana College at Pineville, Loyola University at New Orleans, Tulane University of Louisiana at New Orleans, and Xavier University at New Orleans, each of whom shall submit one nominee who shall not be an elected or appointed public official. The term of office of each appointed member shall be concurrent with the term of the governor making the appointment. Each appointment by the governor shall be submitted to the Senate for confirmation. A vacancy in the office of a member appointed by the governor shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment and for the remainder of the unexpired term.

(8) One member of the Police Jury Association of Louisiana or its successor, who shall be selected in the manner determined by the association to serve a four-year term concurrent with that of the governor. A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner for the remainder of the unexpired term.

B. Five members of the board shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, and all actions of the board shall require the affirmative vote of at least five members.

C. The board shall be domiciled in Baton Rouge.

D. The board shall elect a chairman and a vice chairman from among its members.

E.(1) The lieutenant governor, attorney general, and secretary of state each may designate a particular named employee from within his department to permanently act for him and in his place in his absence from meetings of the board. The public official shall notify the board in writing of his designation or any redesignation.

(2) The Registrars of Voters Association and the Clerks of Court Association each may elect an alternate member from their membership to permanently act for and in the place of the registrar or clerk, as the case may be, in his absence from meetings of the board. The president of each association shall notify the board in writing of the alternate member so elected.

(3) The Police Jury Association may select an alternate member to permanently act for and in place of the member selected pursuant to Paragraph (A)(8) of this Section in his absence from meetings of the board. The executive director of the association shall notify the board in writing of the alternate member selected pursuant to this Paragraph.

F. The board shall hold such meetings as are necessary to effectuate its purposes and shall meet upon call of the chairman or upon the request of any three members.

G. The members of the board shall not receive any compensation but shall be reimbursed for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of the work of the board.

Acts 1980, No. 681, §1, eff. July 24, 1980. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 778, §1, eff. Aug. 4, 1982; Acts 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1988, No. 831, §1; Acts 2001, No. 451, §1, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2003, No. 774, §4; Acts 2016, No. 281, §1, eff. May 31, 2016; Acts 2018, No. 584, §1, eff. May 28, 2018.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1414 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1414
Code of Civil Procedure
Status: in_force

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

Added by Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1554 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1554
Contribution limitations; excess funds
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 18:1505.2(H), the contribution limit for contributions to a deceased candidate who has a deficit, or the principal campaign committee of such a deceased candidate, shall be ten thousand dollars per calendar year until there is no deficit.

B. Any contributions received in excess of the deficit shall be returned to the contributors on a pro rata basis.

C. Excess funds in the campaign account of a deceased candidate who dies leaving a surplus shall be expended as provided in R.S. 18:1505.2(I) within two years of the candidate's death.

Acts 2011, No. 208, §1; Acts 2024, No. 390, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1309.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1309.2
Program for the conduct of early voting at additional locations
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the secretary of state may develop and implement a program for the conduct of early voting at additional locations within any parish of the state.

B. The secretary of state shall select additional locations for the program based on feasibility, accessibility, and the number of registered voters.

C. In developing the program, the secretary of state shall specifically solicit the input, recommendations, and advice of the registrars of voters and clerks of court on issues such as: the procedures for the conduct of early voting; the tabulation of votes cast at the program locations; the selection of the additional locations and the requirements for such locations; ensuring the integrity and security of the early voting process; and how to ensure that a voter does not vote during early voting in an office of the registrar and at one of the program locations. The registrars of voters and clerks of court in each parish in which an additional location is selected for the program shall assist the secretary of state, as necessary, to implement the program in those parishes.

D.(1) After the development of the program and after any change to the program, the secretary of state shall submit the details of the program and any change to the program, including the locations selected for the program, to the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs for review and approval at a joint meeting called for such purpose. No action shall be taken by the joint committee except by the favorable vote of a majority of the members thereof from each house present and voting, each house voting separately.

(2) If approved by the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs, the program and any change to the program shall be implemented.

E. Not later than March first of each year, the secretary of state shall provide a written report to the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs. Such report shall provide a review of the program and shall include a description of the types of technology utilized, the costs involved, whether any problems arose, an examination of voter turnout during the program, and any recommendations for legislation.

Acts 2006, No. 349, §1, eff. June 13, 2006; Acts 2008, No. 135, §1, eff. June 6, 2008.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:483 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 483
Effect of tie vote in a primary election
Status: in_force

If, as a result of a tie vote in a primary election, the number of candidates who would qualify for the general election is more than twice the number of persons remaining to be elected to the office, all of the candidates who received the same number of votes in the primary election qualify for the general election.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1308.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1308.1
Absentee voting by person serving on sequestered jury
Status: in_force

A. Immediately upon receipt of an application, the registrar shall deliver the necessary instructions, certificates, ballots, and envelopes to the officer of the court in charge of the sequestered jury on which the applicant is serving, at the address furnished by the applicant.

B. The ballot shall be marked as provided in R.S. 18:1310 and returned to the registrar by the officer of the court in charge of the sequestered jury. Upon its receipt, the registrar shall post the name and precinct of the voter as required by R.S. 18:1311.

C. All ballots of persons serving on a sequestered jury received by the registrar by the time of closing of the polls on the day of the election shall be counted.

Added by Acts 1981, No. 475, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:47 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 47
Staff; assistance to board
Status: in_force

A. The board may employ an executive director. The executive director shall serve as secretary to the board. The board may employ such other staff as it deems necessary or appropriate. It may employ staff on a full-time or part-time basis and may procure temporary or intermittent services as it deems necessary. The board may employ attorneys and it may procure the services of attorneys on a temporary or part-time basis as it deems necessary.

B. Every officer, department, board, or commission of the state or of any of its political subdivisions shall provide assistance, including use of facilities and investigatory personnel, upon the request of the board.

Acts 1989, No. 45, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:469 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 469
Reopening of qualifying period; effect
Status: in_force

A. When a person who qualified as a candidate and has opposition in a primary election for a public office dies after the close of the qualifying period and before the time for closing the polls on the day of the primary election, the qualifying period for candidates in the primary election for that office shall reopen for candidates on the day after the death and shall close at 4:30 p.m. on the third day after the death or, if that day is a legal holiday, at 4:30 p.m. on the next day which is not a legal holiday. The name of the deceased candidate shall not be printed on the primary election ballot. If the primary election ballot was printed with the deceased candidate's name on it, any votes received by the deceased candidate shall be void and shall not be counted for any purpose whatsoever.

B. Repealed by Acts 2014, No. 42, §2, eff. May 16, 2014.

C. Whenever the qualifying period is reopened as required by Subsection A of this Section, the clerk of court shall cause notice of the reopening, listing the dates and times the period shall run, to be posted in a prominent place at or near the courthouse door and also in a prominent place in the office of the clerk of court. If the qualifying period is reopened solely for the qualification of one or more municipal candidates, or if the municipal offices to be filled by election are in a building other than the courthouse, the clerk of court shall cause the notice provided for herein to be posted in a prominent place at or near the door of the municipal building for the city for which the candidates are seeking an elective office, as well as in the court house and the clerk's office as required by this Subsection.

D.(1) If the qualifying period for candidates reopens before a primary election and the ballots have been printed, all of the votes cast in the primary election for that public office are void, unless the qualifying period for the office reopened and closed without additional candidates qualifying for the office. If additional candidates qualify for the office and the votes for the primary will be void for that reason, the clerk of court with whom any of the additional candidates qualified shall immediately publish in the official journal of the parish a notice to the electorate that the election for that office has been voided because new candidates qualified. Such notice shall include the dates for the rescheduled primary and general elections. If the election district includes all or part of more than one parish, the clerk of court shall notify the secretary of state, who shall notify the clerk of court of each of the parishes, and the clerk of court shall publish such notice. If the additional candidates have qualified with the secretary of state, he shall publish such notice in the official state journal.

(2) If all the votes cast in a primary election for a public office are void because of the death of a candidate, the primary election for the office shall be held on the date of the general election, and the general election for the office shall be held on the fifth Saturday after the primary election.

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 1980, No. 445, §1, eff. July 21, 1980; Acts 1982, No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; Acts 1988, No. 329, §1; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, No. 201, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1992; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 42, §§1, 2, eff. May 16, 2014; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2021, No. 381, §1, eff. June 17, 2021.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1310 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1310
Execution of certificate; marking of ballot; casting vote; assistance
Status: in_force

A.(1) When a voter receives the absentee voting materials by mail, the voter first shall fill in all blanks on the provided certificate. The voter then shall mark the ballot according to the printed instructions on its face. Then the voter shall place the voted ballot in the ballot envelope, seal the envelope, and sign the certificate.

(2) When absentee by mail voting materials are electronically transmitted to a voter pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter, the voter first shall mark each ballot according to the instructions on the ballot, either by marking the ballot electronically and then printing it, or by printing the ballot first and then marking it by hand. The voter shall then print all remaining documents and fill in all blanks on the certificate and the waiver of the right to a secret ballot for each ballot mailing. The voter shall then place the voted ballot or ballots, completed certificate, and waiver of the right to a secret ballot for each ballot mailing in a separate envelope, seal the envelope, mark "Absentee Ballot Enclosed" on the envelope, and mail the envelope and its contents to the registrar of voters.

B.(1) No candidate in any election shall assist any voter in casting his ballot in that election.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, a person otherwise qualified to vote by absentee by mail who is visually impaired or physically disabled or who is unable to read or write may receive assistance in voting absentee by mail from any person selected by him. The failure of a voter to furnish notice and proof during the time that the registration records are closed shall not deprive the voter of his right 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 as required by R.S. 18:564 or 1309.3.

(3) A person who is eligible for assistance in voting absentee by mail or early voting may, in the same manner, seek assistance in the signing of his name or making of his mark. Any person who assists a voter in signing his name or making his mark shall explain to the voter that a signature or mark so made certifies that all statements in the certificate, if applicable, are true and correct and that any person who knowingly provides false or incorrect statements is subject to a fine or imprisonment, or both.

C.(1) Any person who assists a voter in voting absentee by mail shall execute the acknowledgment on the certificate prepared by the secretary of state, verifying that the person providing the assistance has marked the ballot in the manner dictated by the voter, and the signature on the acknowledgment by the person providing assistance may serve as the signature of the witness required by R.S. 18:1306(E)(2)(a). No person except the immediate family member of the voter, as defined in this Code, or an employee of the registrar of voters or the election division of the Department of State shall assist with the certificate of more than one voter.

(2) The registrar or deputy registrar shall follow the procedures contained in R.S. 18:1309.3 when paper ballots are used for early voting.

D.(1) If a voter determines that his ballot is spoiled because he wants to change or correct his vote on the ballot before it is cast and counted but is unable to do so, he may obtain a replacement ballot from the registrar of voters in his parish.

(2) Upon receiving the replacement ballot, the voter shall mark the ballot and return it to the registrar as provided in this Section. The voter shall not return the spoiled ballot to the registrar, but shall destroy it. If the voter sends both the spoiled ballot and the replacement ballot to the registrar and the board can determine which is the spoiled ballot and which is the replacement ballot, the board shall count the replacement ballot. If the board cannot determine which is the spoiled ballot and which is the replacement ballot, each of such ballots shall be void.

E. If a voter is notified by the registrar of voters in his parish of a deficiency on his absentee by mail ballot certificate that must be cured, he may obtain a replacement ballot from the registrar. The registrar may make the ballot available via hand delivery to the voter or an immediate family member of the voter.

F. If a voter who is not affiliated with a political party receives an absentee ballot for the first party primary for a certain major political party in an election for a party primary office and would like to choose the ballot for the first party primary of a different major political party before his ballot has been cast and returned to the registrar, he may obtain a replacement ballot from the registrar.

Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2007, No. 240, §§1, 2; Acts 2009, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 624, §1, eff. June 25, 2010; Acts 2011, No. 195, §1, eff. June 24, 2011; Acts 2013, No. 395, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2016, No. 281, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; Acts 2016, No. 508, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; Acts 2017, No. 176, §4; Acts 2019, No. 374, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2020; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023; Acts 2024, No. 302, §1; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 2025; §2, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:59.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 59.2
Number of employee positions established; increase; decrease
Status: in_force

A.(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Section, the number of authorized positions for state employees in the office of a registrar of voters, including the position of registrar of voters, shall be based on parish population figures as shown by the latest federal census, the parish population estimates published pursuant to the United States Bureau of the Census Federal State Cooperative Program for Population Estimates, or as determined by the governing authority of each parish in accordance with law.

(2) Based on the parish population range, the maximum number of authorized positions in each parish is established as follows:

PARISH

POPULATION RANGE NUMBER OF POSITIONS

(1) 0 to 19,000 2

(2) 19,001 to 65,000 3

(3) 65,001 to 100,000 4

(4) 100,001 to 200,000 5

(5) 200,001 to 300,000 7

(6) 300,001 to 400,000 10

(7) 400,001 to 475,000 13

(8) 475,001 to 1,000,000 17

B.(1) In addition to the number of authorized positions established in the office of a registrar of voters as provided in Subsection A of this Section, two state employee positions are established for each permanent branch office in existence in each parish on the effective date of this Section or thereafter established, except that three state employee positions are established for the permanent branch office located in city hall of Orleans Parish.

(2) In addition to the number of authorized positions established in the office of a registrar of voters as provided in Subsection A of this Section and Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, one state employee position is established in the office of the registrar of voters in St. Landry Parish, subject to annual appropriations of the legislature.

C. Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 596, §2.

D.(1) If a reduction in the number of positions in the office of a registrar is necessary because the number of positions established in the office of a registrar of voters on the effective date of this Section is greater than the number of positions established in Subsections A and B of this Section, the number of such positions shall be reduced by attrition at a rate not to exceed one position per calendar year.

(2) If a reduction in the number of positions in the office of a registrar of voters is necessary because of a change in parish population, the number of positions shall be reduced by attrition.

E. Employee positions established in the office of a registrar of voters pursuant to Subsections A and B of this Section that exceed the number of positions established in the office of a registrar of voters on the effective date of this Section or that increase pursuant to a change in population shall not be filled until the parish governing authority has appropriated the parish portion of the salary for each position and the legislature has appropriated to the secretary of state the state portion of the salary for each such position.

F. Repealed by Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1995.

Acts 1983, No. 154, §1; Acts 1989, No. 574, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1991, No. 277, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 526, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2010, No. 765, §1; Acts 2024, No. 596, §§1, 2.

NOTE: See Acts 2010, No. 765, §2, in re additional employeee position in St. Landry.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:42 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 42
Rule making power
Status: in_force

The board shall have power to adopt and promulgate rules and regulations necessary to implement the provisions of this Part.

Acts 1989, No. 45, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1293 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1293
Proces verbal
Status: in_force

The governing authority ordering the election shall preserve a proces verbal of the canvass. If the election affects ad valorem taxation, the governing authority shall include a copy of the notice of election and proof of publication of the notice in the proces verbal. The governing authority shall forward a copy of the proces verbal to the secretary of state, who shall record it. A copy also shall be forwarded to the clerk of the district court, and in Orleans Parish to the clerk of the civil district court, who shall record it in the mortgage records. A copy shall be retained in the archives of the office of the governing authority ordering the election.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 545, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2012, No. 283, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1318 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1318
Applicability of election laws
Status: in_force

All applicable provisions of this Title which are not inconsistent with the provisions of this Chapter shall apply to voting under this Chapter.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:101 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 101
Registration to vote; qualifications; more than one residence; presidential elections
Status: in_force

A.(1) Every citizen of Louisiana who is at least eighteen years of age or will attain that age on or before the next election, is an actual bona fide resident of this state, and the parish, municipality, if any, and precinct in which he offers to register as a voter, is not disfranchised, and who complies with the provisions of this Chapter shall be eligible to register to vote in local, state and national elections held in this state.

(2) Any person age seventeen and who is otherwise qualified to vote may register to vote at any time prior to the first election at which he shall have attained the age of eighteen years. However, no one, under the age of eighteen years shall be permitted to vote in any election.

(3) A person who is sixteen years of age may register to vote in the manner provided in R.S. 18:114(B)(1) or by making application in person at the office of the registrar of voters. However, no one under the age of eighteen years shall be permitted to vote in any election.

B. For purposes of the laws governing voter registration and voting, "resident" means a citizen who resides in this state and in the parish, municipality, if any, and precinct in which he offers to register and vote, with an intention to reside there indefinitely. If a citizen resides at more than one place in the state with an intention to reside there indefinitely, he may register and vote only at one of the places at which he resides. If a person claims a homestead exemption, pursuant to Article VII, Section 20 of the Constitution of Louisiana, on one of the residences, he shall register and vote in the precinct in which that residence is located, except that a person who resides in a nursing home as defined in R.S. 40:2009.2 or in a veterans' home operated by the state or federal government may register and vote at the address where the nursing home or veterans' home is located. For purposes of voter registration and voting, the residence of a married woman shall be determined in the same manner as is required for any other citizen. A citizen of this state shall not be or remain registered or vote in more than one place of residence at any one time.

C. Any bona fide full-time student attending an institution of higher learning in this state may choose as his residence and may register to vote either at the place where he resides while attending the institution or at the place where he resides when not attending such institution, but he shall not have more than one residence at any one time for purposes of registering to vote. Such a student need not have an intent to reside indefinitely at the place where he offers to register.

D. A person who is otherwise qualified to vote in this state, who has begun residence in another state or another political subdivision of this state after the close of the registration records pursuant to R.S. 18:135 for an election for president and vice president of the United States or for electors for president and vice president and who for that reason does not satisfy the registration requirements set forth in this Chapter, may vote in such an election:

(1) In person in the place in this state where he resided immediately before his removal, if he satisfied the requirements to vote in that place as of the date of his change of residence, or

(2) By absentee by mail ballot in the place in this state where he resided immediately prior to his removal, if he satisfies the requirements for absentee by mail voting in that place except for his nonresident status and the reasons for his absence.

E.(1) A citizen of the United States residing outside the United States who was domiciled in this state immediately prior to his departure from the United States and who is at least eighteen years of age or will attain that age on or before the next national election, and who is not disfranchised, shall be eligible to register absentee and vote absentee by mail if he meets the following qualifications:

(a) He has complied with the registration procedures set forth in this Title;

(b) He does not maintain a domicile, is not registered to vote, and is not voting in any other state or election district of another state or territory or in any territory or possession of the United States; and

(c) He has a valid passport or card of identity and registration issued under the authority of the secretary of state of the United States, or if he does not have a valid passport or card of identity and registration, he has a certified copy of a birth certificate or a naturalization certificate and a proof of identity, such as a vehicle operator's license or an expired passport, that includes a photograph and handwritten signature. A short-form birth certification card shall be acceptable as a certified copy of the birth certificate.

(2) A certain intent to return to the state of Louisiana shall not be necessary. Such person shall be eligible to register and vote for any candidate.

F. A person who has been involuntarily displaced from his place of residence by the effects of a gubernatorially declared state of emergency shall not be considered to have vacated his residence and shall be considered to be an actual bona fide resident of the state and parish in which he is registered to vote unless any of the following occurs:

(1) He changes his registration address.

(2) He claims a homestead exemption pursuant to Article VII, Section 20 of the Constitution of Louisiana on a different residence.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 544, §1 eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1988, No. 661, §1; Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1997, No. 139, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 118, §3, eff. April 19, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 1032, §7; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 269, §1, eff. June 8, 2006; Acts 2009, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2012, No. 451, §1; Acts 2014, No. 173, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2015; Acts 2015, No. 307, §2, eff. Jan. 15, 2016; Acts 2016, No. 183, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 2017.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1433.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1433.1
Revote in elections where precinct contained multiple election districts if result cannot be otherwise ascertained
Status: in_force

A. If a discrepancy sufficient to change the result of the election between the total votes cast in an election and the number of eligible voters voting in an election district occurs as a result of any precinct containing multiple election districts in which votes were cast and counted in the wrong election district, the court shall order a revote for that election in the precinct or precincts containing multiple election districts where such a discrepancy occurred.

B. The revote shall include all candidates listed on the ballot in the challenged election for the disputed office. The revote shall be limited to those persons listed on the poll list as having cast their ballots in person at the polls in the election in which the discrepancy occurred.

C. Those persons who cast their votes by absentee by mail or early voting ballots in that election shall not be eligible to vote in the revote election. The votes cast by absentee by mail or early voting ballot in the first election shall be retained, counted, and added to the voting machine totals in the revote election.

Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1265 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1265
Compensation
Status: in_force

Presidential electors shall be paid fifty dollars for attendance at the meeting of electors and shall be paid the same mileage allowance as is provided for state officers and employees on official state business. Such compensation and mileage allowance shall be paid out of funds appropriated to the office of the secretary of state for such purpose.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1367.11 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1367.11
Trial; decision; appeal
Status: in_force

A. Actions objecting to the solicitation or award of a contract pursuant to this Subpart shall be tried summarily, without a jury, and in open court. The trial shall begin no later than fourteen days after suit is filed.

B. In all actions, the trial judge shall render judgment within seven days after the case is submitted to him and shall indicate the date and time rendered on the judgment. The clerk of the trial court shall immediately notify all parties or their counsel of record by telephone and/or facsimile transmission of the judgment.

C. Within twenty-four hours after rendition of judgment, a party aggrieved by the judgment may appeal by obtaining an order of appeal and giving bond for a sum fixed by the court to secure the payment of costs. The clerk of the trial court shall give notice of the order of appeal to the clerk of the court of appeal and to all the parties or their counsel of record. The trial judge shall fix the return day at a time not to exceed three days after rendition of judgment.

D. The clerk of the trial court shall prepare the record on appeal and transmit it to the clerk of the court of appeal on the return day.

E. Immediately upon receipt of the record the clerk of the court of appeal shall notify the parties and the case shall be heard no later than forty-eight hours after the record is lodged with the court of appeal. Judgment shall be rendered within twenty-four hours after the case is argued. The court of appeal shall indicate the date and time rendered on the judgment. The clerk of the court of appeal shall immediately notify all parties or their counsel of record by telephone and/or facsimile transmission of the judgment.

F. An application to the supreme court for a writ of certiorari shall be made within forty-eight hours after judgment is rendered by the court of appeal.

G. The appellate court may sit in panels of three or more as directed by the chief judge.

H. No application for a new trial or for a rehearing shall be entertained by any court, but a court, upon its own motion, may correct manifest error to which its attention is called.

I. As used in this Subpart, judgment shall be deemed to have been rendered when signed by the judge.

Acts 2025, No. 208, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1280.24 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1280.24
Arrangement of ballot
Status: in_force

The ballot for the election provided in this Part shall contain the names of each candidate arranged by party affiliation and placed in alphabetical order within each party.

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.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1400.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1400.1
Election costs paid by secretary of state; governing authorities; reimbursement
Status: in_force

A. The cost of ballots and election materials used in gubernatorial and congressional elections, whether or not a gubernatorial or congressional candidate appears on the ballot, shall be paid by the state from funds appropriated to the secretary of state for that purpose, except that when a local or municipal candidate or a local bond, debt, tax, proposition, or question also appears on the ballot, the state shall be required to pay one-half of the cost of ballots and election materials. The remaining one-half shall be prorated between the state and all local or municipal entities participating in such election. In the case of the offices of justice of the peace and constable of a justice of the peace court, the costs shall be prorated to the parish governing authority. The pro rata share of a local or municipal entity shall be determined by dividing the number of that entity's offices, propositions, or questions on the ballot by the total number of all offices, propositions, or questions on the ballot within that local jurisdiction.

B.(1) The cost of ballots and election materials used in any special election when any of the following appear on the ballot shall be paid by the state from funds appropriated to the secretary of state for that purpose:

(a) A state candidate, as defined in R.S. 18:452(1).

(b) A candidate for the state legislature.

(c) A candidate for judge of a judicial district court or juvenile court or a candidate for judge of the criminal district or civil district court for Orleans Parish.

(d) A candidate for the office of district attorney.

(e) A proposed constitutional amendment.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1), when a local or municipal candidate or a local bond, debt, tax, proposition, or question also appears on the ballot, the state shall be required to pay one-half of the cost of ballots and election materials. The remaining one-half shall be prorated between the state and all local or municipal entities participating in such election. In the case of the offices of justice of the peace and constable of a justice of the peace court, the costs shall be prorated to the parish governing authority. The pro rata share of a local or municipal entity shall be determined by dividing the number of that entity's offices, propositions, or questions on the ballot by the total number of all offices, propositions, or questions on the ballot within that local jurisdiction.

C.(1) The cost of ballots and election materials used in any election not provided for in Subsections A and B of this Section shall be paid by the appropriate governing authority that relates to the character of the office or the issue involved in such election. In the case of the offices of justice of the peace and constable of a justice of the peace court, the costs shall be prorated to the parish governing authority.

(2) In any special election called only by a local governing authority or only by a parish or city school board solely for the purpose of voting on a proposition under Chapter 6-A of this Title, a fee of ten dollars per certificate and two dollars per page shall be paid to the secretary of state for recording the proces verbal as required by R.S. 18:1293.

(3) To administratively facilitate the payment of costs as provided in this Subsection, the secretary of state may initially pay such costs; however, the appropriate governing authority shall reimburse all such costs to the secretary of state, and all monies so received by the secretary of state shall be remitted to the state treasurer. If more than one governing authority is involved in an election, the secretary of state shall prorate the reimbursable costs among the governing authorities as equitably as possible.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 681, §1, eff. July 21, 1983. Acts 1986, No. 783, §1, eff. July 10, 1986; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1992, No. 963, §1; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2004, No. 526, §2, eff. June 25, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:20 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 20
Contracts for a signature digitization/verification system
Status: in_force

The secretary of state may enter into contracts necessary to provide for a signature digitization/verification system to be used to carry out the functions of election officials.

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. § 18:154 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 154
Records open to inspection; copying; exceptions
Status: in_force

A. The records of each registrar are public records and at all times during office hours shall be open to inspection, except the early voting confirmation sheets of voters.

B.(1)(a) If twenty-five or more qualified voters of a parish make a request in writing, the registrar shall permit the copying of any part of his records, except the early voting confirmation sheets.

(b) Notwithstanding Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, the registrar shall permit copying of the following:

(i) A list prepared pursuant to R.S. 18:1311(A) upon the written request of a single person of the age of majority.

(ii) Any part of the registrar's records related to the election of a candidate for an office, except the early voting confirmation sheets, upon the written request made by a candidate in the election for that office received within the time period provided for in R.S. 18:1405(B) or (H).

(iii) A voter registration application upon the request of the applicant pursuant to R.S. 18:104.

(2) The registrar shall allow copying to be done by hand or otherwise, if so requested, unless such reproduction seriously interferes with the registration of voters or otherwise seriously interferes with the performance of the duties imposed on his office by law. In such instances, the registrar shall cause his employees to make copies of the requested records or print the information electronically, if the electronic copy contains the same information, and deliver them or request the secretary of state to reproduce such records, which may then be forwarded to the registrar for delivery. Copying by the registrar or his employees or the secretary of state or printing an electronic copy shall be done in the presence of the requesting person or a representative of the requesting voters, if the person or voters so request.

(3) The registrar shall endorse each written request made pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection with the day and hour of receipt and shall provide a copy of the endorsed written request to the person submitting the request.

C.(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, the registrar, the clerk of court, the Department of State, the office of motor vehicles of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and any entity that contracts with the office, each voter registration agency and any entity that contracts with a voter registration agency, and any person who handles the voter registration application form of another person shall be prohibited from circulating on a commercial list or otherwise disclosing the following:

(a) The fact that a registered voter is entitled to assistance in voting.

(b) The social security number of a registered voter.

(c) The driver's license number of a registered voter.

(d) The day and month of the date of birth of a registered voter.

(e) The mother's maiden name of a registered voter.

(f) The electronic mail address of a registered voter, except a registered voter who has qualified as a candidate for public office.

(g) The short message service number of a registered voter.

(h) The voter registration application and any information contained on the voter registration application of any person who is sixteen or seventeen years of age.

(i) The active duty status or dependent status of a voter who requested an absentee ballot pursuant to the provisions of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act, 52 U.S.C. 20301 et seq., or the physical mailing address where such a ballot is mailed.

(2)(a) The provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not apply to voter registration data transmitted to the office of motor vehicles of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, for the purposes of verifying the accuracy and authenticity of the social security number, driver's license number, or full date of birth provided by the voter. The office of motor vehicles shall not disclose information concerning a registered voter transmitted pursuant to this Subparagraph, except that it may transmit such information to the United States Social Security Administration for the purposes of verifying the accuracy and authenticity of the social security number provided by the voter.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the Department of State or registrar of voters may transmit the full date of birth and last four digits of the social security number, if available, of a registered voter to the Supervisory Committee on Campaign Finance Disclosure to verify the identity of a candidate for purposes of campaign finance reporting. The supervisory committee shall not disclose information transmitted to it pursuant to this Subparagraph.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the Department of State or registrar of voters shall transmit the email address, if available, of a candidate to the Board of Ethics for purposes of contacting the person regarding matters relating to laws within the jurisdiction of the board. The Board of Ethics shall not disclose information transmitted to it pursuant to this Subparagraph.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the Department of State may provide to a clerk of court the full date of birth of a registered voter for the preparation of a general venire selection in accordance with R.S. 18:175. The clerk of court shall not disclose the full date of birth of a registered voter provided pursuant to this Subparagraph.

(e) The provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not apply to voter registration information or data transmitted to a state or federal governmental agency or private vendor to provide voter registration eligibility or address data pursuant to a written agreement for purposes of voter list maintenance of the state voter registration computer system.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the Department of State or registrar of voters may transmit a registered voter's full date of birth and mother’s maiden name to the Louisiana Department of Health to amend the voter's birth certificate. The Louisiana Department of Health shall not disclose information transmitted to it pursuant to this Subparagraph.

D.(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, the registrar, the clerk of court, and the Department of State shall not disclose the name and address of a law enforcement officer if the registrar has received certification from the law enforcement agency employing the officer that the officer is engaging in hazardous activities to the extent that it is necessary for his name and address to be kept confidential. The registrar shall indicate such certification in the state voter registration computer system upon receipt of the certification.

(2) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, the registrar of voters, the clerk of court, and the Department of State may disclose the name and address of a law enforcement officer who has qualified as a candidate for office between the date of qualifying of the candidate and the general election.

(3) Any agency employing a law enforcement officer availing himself of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall also issue a decertification notice to the registrar of voters when the officer is no longer engaging in hazardous activities to the extent that it is necessary for his name and address to be kept confidential.

E. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section or any other law to the contrary, the registrar of voters shall allow inspection of voter registration applications or copies thereof. However, information relating to a particular individual's declination to register to vote or information relating to the specific public assistance agency or motor vehicle office through which a particular individual registered to vote shall be confidential and shall not be used for any purpose other than voter registration.

F. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, the registrar, the clerk of court, and the Department of State shall be prohibited from disclosing the following:

(1) Any information of a type exempted from disclosure pursuant to any other Subsection of this Section received from another state pursuant to a cooperative agreement authorized by R.S. 18:18(D).

(2) Any geographical coding of addresses of registered voters.

(3) An application to vote absentee by mail, information contained therein, or the status of a voted ballot until the applicant has returned his voted ballot to the registrar and the registrar has accepted the voted ballot.

(4) Computer system or program information, including software, related menus, flow charts, network diagrams, usernames, nonpublic uniform resource locators, database object names, computer names, device identifiers and serial numbers, screen printouts and captures, internet protocol address numbers, passwords, source materials, prompts, dialogues, operating and instructional manuals, programming materials or instructions, and any other computer operating or support materials concerning the state voter registration computer system and election management system or voting equipment.

(5) Any information contained within the state voter registration computer system and election management system which if disclosed may impair the security of the statewide voter registration system and election management system or the integrity of the information maintained on the systems or voting equipment.

(6) Internet protocol address numbers submitted to or captured by the state voter registration computer system and election management system.

(7) The name and physical address of a program participant in the Department of State Address Confidentiality Program, as provided in R.S. 44:51 et seq.

(8) Votes that are void because of the death of a candidate pursuant to R.S. 18:469, withdrawal of a candidate pursuant to R.S. 18:502, resignation of a public officer subject to a recall election pursuant to R.S. 18:1300.7, or disqualification of a candidate pursuant to R.S. 18:1410.

G. Repealed by Acts 2024, No. 390, §3.

H. Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, the registrar, the clerk of court, and the Department of State shall not disclose in a list of commissioners the address or telephone number of an early voting commissioner, commissioner-in-charge, commissioner, or alternate commissioner who is certified to serve in an election.

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

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, No. 505, §1; Acts 1991, No. 810, §1; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 43, §1; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §2, eff. July 3, 2003; Acts 2006, No. 613, §2; Acts 2007, No. 240, §1; Acts 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2008, No. 520, §1, eff. June 30, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 624, §1, eff. June 25, 2010; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2013, No. 395, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 59, §1, eff. May 16, 2014; Acts 2014, No. 60, §1, eff. May 16, 2014; Acts 2015, No. 307, §1, eff. June 29, 2015, and §2, eff. Jan. 15, 2016; Acts 2018, No. 325, §1; Acts 2018, No. 425, §1; Acts 2018, No. 712, §1, eff. June 2, 2018; Acts 2020, No. 28, §1, eff. June 4, 2020; Acts 2020, No. 136, §1, eff. June 9, 2020; Acts 2020, No. 169, §1, eff. June 11, 2020; Acts 2021, No. 381, §1, eff. June 17, 2021; Acts 2022, No. 274, §1, eff. June 3, 2022; Acts 2022, No. 419, §1; Acts 2023, No. 91, §§1,2, eff. June 6, 2023; Acts 2023, No. 225, §1; Acts 2024, No. 390, §§1, 3; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:192 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 192
Annual canvass; costs
Status: in_force

A.(1) No later than July thirty-first, the registrar of voters of each parish in conjunction with the Department of State shall annually canvass the names of the registrants in all precincts in the parish. Failure of the registrar to conduct an annual canvass as provided in this Subsection shall constitute willful misconduct relating to his official duty for the purposes of R.S. 18:53. The Department of State shall use address data obtained pursuant to a written agreement from another state or federal governmental agency or private vendor that provides voter registration eligibility or address data to verify the names and addresses of the registrants in all precincts in the state. A verification of address data shall constitute a valid canvass of the registered voter.

(2) In conducting the verification, if the obtained address data indicates a corrected address, the Department of State shall furnish the corrected address to the appropriate registrar of voters. Upon receiving a corrected address inside the parish, either the Department of State or the registrar of voters shall update the voter's address on the statewide registration system and mail a new voter information card to the voter using the corrected address provided and an address confirmation notice as provided in R.S. 18:193. If the new voter information card using the corrected address is returned to the registrar and the voter has failed to return the address confirmation notice, the registrar shall consider the address not corrected. The registrar shall change his records to reflect the prior address on file for that voter. If the corrected address is outside of the parish, the registrar of voters shall not make the change on his records and shall send an address confirmation notice as provided in R.S. 18:193.

(3) The parish governing authority shall provide to the registrar of voters the funding necessary for the mailing of new voter information cards in the conduct of the canvass.

B.(1) No later than June thirtieth, the Department of State shall conduct an annual canvass as provided in this Subsection. Using information available in the state voter registration computer system, the secretary of state shall identify registrants who meet all of the following criteria:

(a) The registrant's name did not appear with a corrected address provided by the United States Postal Service or its licensee pursuant to Subsection A of this Section.

(b) The registrant failed to engage in any of the following activities in the past ten years: vote in an election; make an application for voter registration; request an absentee ballot; validly sign a petition submitted to the registrar of voters for certification pursuant to law; change a name, address, or party affiliation or nonaffiliation; make any other change in registration; or participate in the nursing home program.

(2) The Department of State shall send an address confirmation notice to each identified registrant and transfer the registrant to the inactive list of voters.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1977, No. 544, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1986, No. 669, §1; Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1989, No. 652, §1; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1990, No. 142, §1; Acts 1991, No. 201, §3, eff. Dec. 31, 1991; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §§1, 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; H.C.R. 2, 2005 1st Ex. Sess., eff. Nov. 20, 2005; Acts 2008, No. 519, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 218, §1; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023; Acts 2024, No. 2, §1, eff. March 31, 2025; Acts 2024, No. 640, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 2025, §2, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:468 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 468
Close of the qualifying period
Status: in_force

A. The qualifying period for candidates in a primary election shall close at 4:30 p.m. on the Friday after the opening of the qualifying period for candidates in the primary election or, if that Friday is a legal holiday, at 4:30 p.m. on the next day which is not a legal holiday.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section, the qualifying period for candidates in a gubernatorial primary election and those in any special primary election to be held at the same time shall close at 4:30 p.m. on the Thursday after the opening of the qualifying period.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1992, No. 949, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1. eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1400.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1400.6
Costs and expenses of primary and general elections
Status: in_force

A. Any local governing authority or school board which receives a request for reimbursement of election costs pursuant to this Title shall pay such reimbursement promptly.

B. Repealed by Acts 2019, No. 374, §3, eff. June 19, 2019.

C. If payment for any such reimbursement is not received by the secretary of state on the one hundred twentieth day following the first billing by the secretary of state, the account shall be forwarded to the attorney general for collection. The attorney general is additionally authorized to collect the actual expenses his office incurs in the collection of such account.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 682, §1; Acts 1986, No. 669, §1; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 2001, No. 451, §1, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2019, No. 374, §3, eff. June 19, 2019.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:443.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 443.1
State central committee; composition and apportionment
Status: in_force

A.(1) The membership of the state central committee of a recognized political party shall be composed of two hundred ten members.

(2) Two members shall be elected from each of the districts from which members of the House of Representatives of the legislature are elected.

(3) Each office for membership on the state central committee shall constitute a separate and distinct office. For the purpose of nomination and election to office, the offices within a district shall be designated alphabetically as Office "A" and Office "B". Office "A" shall be the designated seat for all female candidates for that district. Office "B" shall be the designated seat for all male candidates for that district. Each office within a district shall be arranged separately on the ballot and shall be designated as Office "A" and Office "B". The electors of the district who are qualified to vote for members of the particular state central committee shall elect one member to the state central committee from among the candidates for each office. The successor to any member shall hold the same office as his predecessor.

B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection A of this Section, the membership of the state central committee of a recognized political party may alternatively elect to be composed and apportioned as provided by R.S. 18:443.2.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 672, §2, eff. July 22, 1982; Acts 1985, No. 49, §1; Acts 1987, No. 119, §1, eff. June 18, 1987; Acts 1992, No. 949, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 2003, No. 910, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2004, No. 526, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2020, No. 340, §1, eff. June 13, 2020; Acts 2020, No. 350, §1, eff. June 12, 2020.

NOTE: SEE ACTS 1987, NO. 119, §§2, 3 & 4.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:551 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 551
Ballots
Status: in_force

A. Preparation. The secretary of state shall prepare and certify the absentee by mail ballots, the early voting ballots, and the ballots to be used on the voting machines in primary and general elections.

B. Titles of offices. (1) In any primary election for a party primary office, the parties shall be arranged alphabetically, and under such party affiliation, the titles of the party primary offices to be voted on shall be listed in the order provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection. The names of the candidates for each party primary office shall be listed alphabetically by surname within each party and printed below the title of the party primary office.

(2) Below any party primary offices, the titles of the offices to be voted on in a primary or general election shall be listed on the ballot in the following order:

(a) President and vice president.

(b) Presidential nominees in a presidential preference primary. If an election for presidential nominees in a presidential preference primary appears on the same ballot with an election for a party primary office, the secretary of state may place the presidential nominees above the party primary office candidates of the same party.

(c) State offices--governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, treasurer, commissioner of agriculture, commissioner of insurance, United States senator, United States representative, justice of the supreme court, judge of a court of appeal, member of the public service commission, member of another state board or commission, and any other state office.

(d) Local offices--state senator, state representative, district judge, district attorney, judge of a parish court, sheriff, clerk of court, assessor, coroner, police juror, judge and marshal of a city court, member of a school board, member of other local boards and commissions, justice of the peace, and other local offices.

(e) Municipal offices--mayor, chief of police or marshal, alderman or member of a city council, member of a municipal board or commission, and other municipal offices.

(f) Political party offices--member of a state central committee, member-at-large of a parish executive committee, and member of a parish executive committee from a political subdivision. If an election for a political party office appears on the same ballot with an election for presidential nominees in a presidential preference primary election, the secretary of state may place the political party office after party primary offices or after all other offices.

(3) When a special election to fill a newly created office or a vacancy in an existing office is held at the same time as a regularly scheduled election, the secretary of state may list the titles of the offices to be voted on in the special election at the end of the ballot. However, when the geographic area of an office in the regularly scheduled election and in the special election are the same and when the candidates in the regularly scheduled election and in the special election for such office are the same, the title of the office and the names of the candidates shall appear only once on the ballot as provided in this Section and the ballot shall state that the election is being held to fill both the vacancy and the full term for the office. Each elector shall cast the same vote for both the regular and the special election for the office, and the candidates who qualify for the general election shall qualify for the general election for both the regular and the special election for the office, and the candidate who is elected shall be elected to fill both the vacancy and the full term for the office.

(4) The titles of offices not specifically provided for in this Section shall be listed on the ballot in the order determined by the secretary of state.

C. Names and numbers of candidates. The names of the candidates in a primary or general election shall be listed on the ballot as follows:

(1)(a) In a primary election only the names of candidates who qualified for election and were not subsequently disqualified by a judgment rendered in an action objecting to candidacy shall be listed on the ballot.

(b) The name of each local candidate shall be listed on the ballot as certified to the secretary of state by the clerk of court, and the name of each state candidate shall be listed on the ballot in the form designated by the candidate in his notice of candidacy on file with the secretary of state.

(c)(i) The names of the candidates for each office shall be arranged alphabetically by surname and shall be listed below the title of the office. The names of the candidates shall be numbered from first to last. Once the secretary of state has assigned numbers to the candidates on the primary election ballot, the numbers shall not be changed.

(ii) If the qualifying period reopens because of the death of a candidate, additional candidates who qualify for the primary election shall be given the numbers following the number assigned to the last candidate on the ballot.

(iii) If two or more candidates have the same surname, the names of the candidates having the same surname shall be arranged alphabetically by first name, regardless of whether a candidate's first name appears on the ballot. The word "Incumbent" and the residence address shall be listed after the name of each candidate having the same surname who is an incumbent, and the residence address shall be listed after the name of each candidate having the same surname who is not an incumbent.

(2) In a general election only the names of the candidates who qualified for election shall be listed on the ballot, and the names shall be listed in the same form as they were listed on the ballot for the primary election. The names of candidates who were elected in the primary election shall not be listed on the ballot. The names of the candidates for each office shall be arranged alphabetically by surname and shall be listed below the title of the office. The names of the candidates shall be given the same number assigned to them on the primary election ballot.

D. Political party designation. (1) The political party designation of a candidate who is registered as being affiliated with a recognized political party shall be listed on the primary or general election ballot on the same line and immediately after or below the candidate's name. If a candidate is affiliated with a political party, but such party is not a recognized political party, the word "other" shall be placed after his name. If a candidate is not affiliated with any political party, the words "no party" or an abbreviation thereof shall be placed after his name. The secretary of state shall promulgate and adopt rules as necessary to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Subsection.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the political party designation of a candidate in a party primary election shall appear on the ballot according to Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section.

E. Uniformity. The names of the candidates shall be listed on the ballot in type of uniform size and style. The spaces between the names of the candidates for each office shall be uniform, and the names of the candidates for one office shall be separated from the names of candidates for another office by sufficient space to avoid confusion. All propositions and constitutional amendments shall be listed on the ballot in type of uniform size and style.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 545, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1977, No. 588, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978, Acts 1980, No. 792, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1981, No. 76, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 1982, No. 778, §1, eff. Aug. 4, 1982; Acts 1988, No. 139, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1991, 1st E.S., No. 1, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1992, No. 949, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2004, No. 889, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2005, No. 220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2012, No. 533, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013; Acts 2015, No. 307, §1, eff. June 29, 2015; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19, 2019; Acts 2025, No. 386, §2, See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:493 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 493
Time for objecting to candidacy
Status: in_force

A. An action objecting to candidacy shall be commenced in a court of competent jurisdiction within seven days after the close of qualifications for candidates in the primary election. However, if the time interval ends on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, then noon of the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday shall be deemed to be the end of the time interval. After the expiration of the time period set forth in this Section, no action shall be commenced objecting to candidacy based on the grounds for objections to candidacy contained in R.S. 18:492.

B.(1) Neither the secretary of the Department of Revenue nor any employee engaged in the administration or charged with the custody of any records or files of the Department of Revenue shall be subject to subpoena or otherwise required to appear in court for any matter filed pursuant to this Section.

(2) In lieu of live testimony, a properly executed affidavit issued by the secretary of the Department of Revenue or his designee shall serve as sufficient confirmation as to the accuracy of the records and files of the secretary of the Department of Revenue for such purposes.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1992, No. 949, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 2005, No. 431, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2024, No. 298, §1, eff. May 28, 2024.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:495 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 495
Initiation of action by district attorney; attorney general; court costs and attorney fees
Status: in_force

A. If after investigation the district attorney has reason to believe that a convicted felon who is prohibited from qualifying for office pursuant to R.S. 18:451 has filed a notice of candidacy, the district attorney shall immediately bring an action objecting to the candidacy of such person. However, if the district attorney has a conflict or is otherwise unable to bring the action objecting to the candidacy of such person, he shall request the attorney general to bring such action.

B. The district attorney shall have standing to bring such an action pursuant to this Subpart. In addition, if requested in accordance with Subsection A of this Section, the attorney general shall have standing to bring such an action pursuant to this Subpart. The time limitation to commence an action objecting to candidacy prescribed by R.S. 18:493 shall apply to such actions brought by the district attorney or the attorney general.

C. Such an action shall not impede or impair the ability of the district attorney or any other law enforcement official from pursuing any violation of R.S. 18:1461 or any other applicable provision of law.

D. The provisions of this Section shall not be interpreted in any manner to limit or impede the ability of a registered voter to bring an action objecting to candidacy pursuant to the provisions of this Part.

E. The court shall assess all court costs, including any applicable attorney fees, incurred in the institution of the action required by this Section against the subject of the action if such person qualified for office in violation of R.S. 18:451.

Acts 2003, No. 529, §1, eff. June 27, 2003; Acts 2006, No. 593, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 2006; Acts 2018, No. 584, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 2019.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:112 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 112
Endorsement of changes
Status: in_force

Whenever any change is made with respect to the registration of any person, the date of the change and all pertinent information concerning the change shall be entered by the registrar in the registrant's information on the state voter registration computer system. If the original application is available in hard copy in the registrar's office, the document indicating the change shall be attached to the original application for registration and any other official registration records.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1987, No. 831, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 2009, No. 186, §2, eff. June 29, 2009; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:116 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 116
Voter registration agencies
Status: in_force

A.(1) Voter registration services shall be provided at the following offices, hereby designated as voter registration agencies:

(a) Public assistance offices and agencies that administer or provide services under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid program, the supplemental food for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program, the Family Independence Temporary Assistance Program (FITAP), the Kinship Care Subsidy Program (KCSP), and the Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) or their successor programs.

(b) All offices in the state that provide state funded programs primarily engaged in providing services to persons with disabilities.

(c) Repealed by Acts 2016, No. 281, §3, eff. May 31, 2016.

(2) In addition to the offices listed in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the secretary of state shall designate by rule in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act other offices within the state as designated voter registration agencies. Such offices may include but not be limited to:

(a) State or local governmental offices such as public libraries, public schools, including the office of a secondary school counselor, offices of municipal clerks, and government revenue offices.

(b) Federal and nongovernmental offices, with the agreement of such offices.

(3) Voter registration services shall be provided at recruitment offices of the Armed Forces of the United States according to the procedures established by the Federal Voting Assistance Program.

B.(1) At each designated voter registration agency, the following services shall be provided during regular office hours:

(a) Distribution of a mail voter registration application form.

(b) Assistance to applicants in completing voter registration application forms, unless the applicant refuses such assistance.

(c) Acceptance of completed voter registration application forms for submission to the registrar of voters within the parish where the voter registration agency is located.

(d) Acceptance of any change of name submitted by a registrant to an agency which shall serve as a notification of change of name for voter registration unless the registrant states at the time of submitting the change that the change is not for voter registration purposes. The transmittal procedure shall be handled in the same manner as voter registration applications.

(2) Persons providing the services described in this Subsection shall not:

(a) Seek to influence an applicant's political preference or party registration.

(b) Display any such political preference or party allegiance.

(c) Make any statement to an applicant or take any action the purpose or effect of which is to discourage the applicant from applying to register to vote.

(d) Make any statement to an applicant or take any action the purpose or effect of which is to lead the applicant to believe that a decision to apply to register or not to apply to register to vote has any bearing on the availability of services or benefits.

C.(1) A designated voter registration agency as provided in Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section shall:

(a) Distribute a mail voter registration application form with each application for service or assistance and with each recertification, renewal, or change of address form relating to such service or assistance unless the applicant declines in writing to register to vote.

(b) Provide a form to accompany the mail voter registration application form which includes:

(i) A statement of voter registration eligibility requirements.

(ii) The question "If you are not registered to vote where you live now, would you like to apply to register to vote here today?"

(iii) If the agency provides public assistance, the statement "Applying to register or declining to register to vote will not affect the amount of assistance that you will be provided by this agency."

(iv) Boxes for the applicant to check to indicate whether the applicant would like to register or declines to register to vote with the statement "IF YOU DO NOT CHECK ANY BOX, YOU WILL BE CONSIDERED TO HAVE DECIDED NOT TO REGISTER TO VOTE AT THIS TIME." in close proximity to the boxes and in prominent type.

(v) The statements "If you would like help in filling out the voter registration form, we will help you. The decision whether to seek or accept help is yours. You may fill out the application form in private."

(vi) The statement "If you believe that someone has interfered with your right to register or to decline to register to vote, your right to privacy in deciding whether to register or in applying to register to vote, or your right to choose your own political party or other political preference, you may file a complaint with the secretary of state." and the current address and telephone number of the secretary of state.

(2) If an applicant fails to check any box on the form required by this Subsection, the applicant shall be deemed to have declined to apply to register to vote.

(3) Each applicant who decides to register to vote shall be provided the same degree of assistance with regard to the completion of the registration application form as is provided by the office with regard to the completion of its own forms, unless the applicant refuses such assistance.

(4) If a designated voter registration agency as provided in Subparagraph (A)(1)(b) of this Section provides services to a person with a disability at the person's home, the agency shall provide the same services described in this Section at the person's home.

(5) No information relating to a declination to apply to register to vote may be used for any purpose other than voter registration and shall not be subject to public inspection.

D. Each designated voter registration agency shall transmit no later than five days after acceptance, all completed voter registration applications to the registrar of voters within the parish where the voter registration agency is located who shall transmit such applications to the appropriate registrar of voters for the parish in which the applicant resides, as determined from the information contained on the registration application. If a registration application is accepted within five days before the last day for registration, each agency shall transmit the completed voter registration application forms to the registrar at the conclusion of each business day.

E. Upon receipt of the completed registration form, the registrar shall determine the eligibility of the applicant as provided in R.S. 18:115(B). Any completed voter registration application transmitted to and received by a registrar by a designated voter registration agency shall be considered an update to any existing registration for that person. However, if a registrar accepts any application for registration, change of name, or change of address that has been received by a designated voter registration agency while the registration records are closed for a particular election as required by R.S. 18:135(A), none of the changes shall be effective until at least the day after the particular election has been held. In the case of a change of address, the change shall be effective in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 18:110(B).

F. The fact that an applicant submitted an application to register to vote at a designated voter registration agency shall be kept confidential and will be used only for voter registration purposes.

G. Each designated voter registration agency shall maintain such statistical records on the number of applications to register to vote as requested by the secretary of state.

Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 1155, §5; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2008, No. 310, §1; Acts 2013, No. 383, §2; Acts 2016, No. 281, §§1, 3, eff. May 31, 2016; Acts 2021, No. 275, §5.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:441 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 441
Recognition
Status: in_force

A. A political party shall be recognized in this state pursuant to the provisions of Subsection B or C of this Section.

B.(1) A political party shall be recognized if ninety days prior to the opening of the qualifying period for any election at least five thousand registered voters in the state are registered as being affiliated with such political party; such political party has filed a notarized registration statement as described in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection with the secretary of state; and the political party has paid a registration fee of five thousand dollars to the secretary of state upon filing the registration statement. The political party designation of a candidate shall not be listed on the ballot unless the political party was recognized prior to the close of qualifying for the office the candidate is seeking.

(2) The registration statement filed with the secretary of state by a political party shall be sworn to by an officer of the party, notarized, and shall include the following information:

(a) The name of the political party.

(b) The mailing address of the party within the state of Louisiana.

(c) If the party is affiliated with a national political party, the name of the national party and the address of its national headquarters.

(d) The names, addresses, and official titles of the party's state officers in Louisiana.

(e) A copy of the party's emblem, if any.

(f) Copies of the state party's charter or constitution, its governing bylaws, rules, and regulations.

(3) No registration statement of a political party shall be accepted by the secretary of state, if the secretary of state finds any of the following defects:

(a) The name of the party is identical to or deceptively similar to the name of any other existing political party.

(b) The name of the party is deliberately misleading or fraudulent in any respect.

(c) An emblem submitted by the party is deceptively similar to an emblem or trademark of any other existing political party.

(4) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, no political party shall be recognized in this state which declares its name solely to be "Independent" or the "Independent Party".

(5) Any person aggrieved by the filing of a registration statement pursuant to Paragraph (2) of this Subsection alleged to be false, fraudulent, deceptive, substantially misleading, or otherwise prohibited by Paragraph (3) of this Subsection may, within two years of such filing, object to the filing in writing to the secretary of state. The secretary of state, upon determination that the registration statement is defective, shall declare such registration statement null and void, and such political party shall no longer be considered as recognized.

(6) A political party that has been recognized pursuant to the provisions of this Subsection shall cease to be a recognized political party if no registered member of the party qualifies as a candidate in a primary election for any period of four consecutive years.

(7) The secretary of state shall promulgate and adopt rules as necessary to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Section. Any act or omission of the secretary of state in the implementation of the provisions of this Subsection shall be reviewable upon filing a petition for judicial review in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court.

C.(1)(a) A political party shall be recognized if any one candidate of the political party for presidential elector received at least five percent of the votes cast in this state for presidential electors in the last presidential election, or if any one candidate of the political party for any statewide office received at least five percent of the votes cast for the statewide office in any primary or general election.

(b) Only political parties that are recognized in accordance with Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph shall be entitled to participate in party primary elections held in accordance with this Code.

(2) A political party that has received recognition pursuant to the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall no longer be recognized if, within any period of four consecutive years, the party no longer complies with the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.

D.(1) A political party that has received recognition pursuant to Subsection B of this Section shall not be entitled to representation on a parish board of election supervisors, nor shall such party be subject to the provisions of R.S. 18:443 through 446, unless at least five percent of the registered voters in the state are registered as being affiliated with such political party. A political party that has been recognized pursuant to Paragraph (C)(1) of this Section shall not be entitled to representation on a parish board of election supervisors nor be subject to the provisions of R.S. 18:443 through 446 unless such candidate as provided for in Paragraph (C)(1) of this Section received at least ten percent of the votes cast for such office in the most recent election in which a candidate for such party received the number of votes as specified in Paragraph (C)(1) of this Section.

(2) Any political party recognized pursuant to Paragraph (B)(1) of this Section shall not be considered to be a recognized political party pursuant to R.S. 18:1505.2(H).

E.(1) A political party may through its bylaws provide for the process of dissolution. A political party that has been recognized pursuant to Subsection B of this Section may request to have the party dissolved by the secretary of state. A political party that requests the party's dissolution shall file a notarized dissolution statement with the secretary of state made in accordance with the party's bylaws.

(2) A registrant who is registered as being affiliated with a political party that is dissolved pursuant to this Subsection shall have his party affiliation changed to "No Party". The Department of State shall notify the registrant of the change pursuant to R.S. 18:109. The notice shall contain an explanation for the change in registration.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2004, No. 889, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2006, No. 403, §1, eff. June 15, 2006; Acts 2014, No. 152, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2015; Acts 2014, No. 594, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2015; Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2024, No. 640, §2, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 84, §1; Acts 2025, No. 386, §§3, 7, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1511.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1511.9
Immunity from prosecution; prohibition
Status: in_force

No person shall be granted immunity from prosecution for testimony or for providing information in connection with any investigation or proceeding conducted under the provisions of this Chapter.

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1280.31 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1280.31
Definitions
Status: in_force

As used in this Chapter, "recognized political party" means a political party recognized in this state pursuant to R.S. 18:441.

Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:553 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 553
Inspection and preparation of voting machines at polling places; precinct registers and supplemental list
Status: in_force

A. Delivery of the key envelope. The parish custodian of voting machines shall seal the keys, if applicable, to the voting machines at each polling place in an envelope on which shall be written the ward and precinct number of the polling place, the location of the polling place, the numbers of the seal and protective counter of each voting machine at the polling place, and the number of the seal for each precinct register. The parish custodian shall deliver the sealed key envelope to the deputy parish custodian appointed for the polling place, and the deputy parish custodian shall deliver the sealed key envelope to the commissioner-in-charge at the polling place at least thirty minutes before the time for opening the polls on election day.

B. Inspection of the voting machines. After the commissioners take their oath and before the time for opening the polls, the commissioners, in the presence of the watchers, shall prepare the polling place for voting as follows:

(1)(a) The commissioners shall compare the voting machine serial numbers on either side of the machines with the numbers on the envelope containing the keys to the voting machines received from the deputy custodian, verify that the numbers on the keys also match the serial numbers of the machines, compare the protective counter numbers on the key envelope with the protective counter numbers on the machines, and compare the numbers on the key envelope with the seal numbers on the machines.

(b) If the numbers do not agree, the commissioners shall notify the parish custodian, and the commissioners shall not proceed further in the preparation of the voting machine for voting until a representative of the parish custodian has reexamined the voting machine and certified that it is properly arranged. If the numbers agree, the commissioners shall open the envelope, take out the keys, and open the door of the voting machine.

(c) When the door of the voting machine is opened, the commissioners shall compare the cartridge seal number on the key envelope with the protective seal number for the results cartridge.

(2)(a) After the voting machines are set up and powered on and the polls are opened, the commissioners shall compare the public and protective counter numbers on the key envelope with the public and protective counter numbers on the machines.

(b)(i) The commissioners shall cause each machine to produce a zero proof sheet, determine from the zero proof sheet that each counter on that machine is set at zero, sign and certify to the correctness of each zero proof sheet, and immediately post each zero proof sheet within the polling place.

(ii) If any zero proof sheet is illegible or damaged, the commissioners shall immediately notify the parish custodian who shall take action necessary to make the machine operative.

(iii) If any zero proof sheet indicates that any candidate or question counter does not register zero, the commissioners shall immediately notify the parish custodian, who shall contact the secretary of state's voting machine technician assigned to the parish to either repair or replace the voting machine. The commissioners shall make a written statement of the irregularity by completing in triplicate a notation of irregularities form to preserve the statement as part of the election returns.

(3) The commissioners shall check the ballot on the face of each voting machine against the sample ballot supplied by the custodian of voting machines to make certain it is correct. If the ballot is not correct, the commissioners shall notify the parish custodian, and the machine shall not be used until the ballot has been corrected under supervision of the parish custodian or his representatives.

(4) The commissioners shall set up the audio unit for use of the audio ballot by voters during the election.

(5) The commissioners shall post the voters' bill of rights and informational posters, if required, the statement of proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot, and a sample ballot in a conspicuous place at the principal entrance to the polling place, where they shall remain posted throughout the election day

(6) The commissioners shall leave the voting machines locked against voting until the polls are formally opened, and thereafter they shall be operated only by the commissioners to allow voters to cast their votes.

(7) When the polls are opened, the commissioners shall complete in triplicate Certificate No. 1 of the composite certificate designated "Machine Certificates", which shall be prepared and furnished by the secretary of state. This certificate shall state:

(a) The exact time when the keys to the voting machines were delivered.

(b) The serial number on each voting machine.

(c) The number of the seal on each voting machine cartridge.

(d) The number of the seal on each precinct register.

(e) The number shown on the public and protective counter on each voting machine.

(f) That the public counter on each machine numbered zero and whether any visible damage was seen on any voting machine prior to the start of the election.

C. Disposition of the keys. After closing and locking the back of the voting machine, the commissioners shall place the keys to the voting machines in the envelope provided for that purpose. The commissioners, in the presence of the watchers, shall seal and sign the envelope containing the voting machine keys, and the sealed envelope shall be kept with the other election materials until the termination of voting. The keys to the voting machines shall not be used during the election except by mechanics or experts repairing or adjusting a voting machine under the supervision and control of the parish custodian.

D. Operation of voting machines. During the election, the voting machines shall only be operated by the commissioners to allow the voters to cast their votes.

E. Maintenance of precinct registers on election day. (1) The parish custodian of voting machines shall be responsible for delivering to the precinct a list of absentee voters who voted absentee by mail and whose ballots were received after the precinct register was completed for election day voting by the registrar of voters and placed in the voting machine.

(2) For each name appearing on the list, the commissioners shall write "voted absentee" in the place where the voter usually signs the precinct register and initial the precinct register adjacent thereto.

(3) The parish custodian of voting machines shall be responsible for delivering to the precinct a supplement to the official list of voters, if necessary.

(4) Upon receipt of any supplement to the official list of voters, the commissioners shall add the supplement to the precinct register behind the "supplemental precinct register" tab.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978; Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 1981, No. 77, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §2, eff. July 3, 2003; Acts 2004, No. 627, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2005, No. 220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 403, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2018, No. 584, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 2019; Acts 2020, No. 28, §1, eff. June 4, 2020; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1307.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1307.1
Application by person serving on sequestered jury
Status: in_force

A. A person qualified to vote absentee pursuant to R.S. 18:1303(C) may make application therefor to the registrar by letter over his signature, setting forth:

(1) The election for which he requests an absentee ballot.

(2) The reason for his request to vote absentee and attaching thereto a certified copy of the court order required by R.S. 18:1307.2.

(3) The address to which the absentee ballot shall be delivered.

(4) The ward and precinct in which the person is qualified to vote, if known.

B. An application shall be received by the registrar by noon on the day of the election for which it is requested, and the date received shall be noted thereon by the registrar.

Added by Acts 1981, No. 475, §1; Acts 2020, No. 28, §1, eff. June 4, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1367.8 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1367.8
Contract and breach of contract controversies
Status: in_force

A. Scope. This Section applies to a review by the commissioner of a decision under R.S. 18:1367.4.

B. Time limitation on filing an appeal. The aggrieved contractor shall file an appeal with the commissioner within seven days of the receipt of the determination under R.S. 18:1367.4(C).

C. Decision. The commissioner or his designee shall decide within seven days the contract or breach of contract controversy. Any prior determination by the state chief procurement officer or his designee shall not be final or conclusive.

D. Notice of decision. A copy of the decision under Subsection C of this Section shall be mailed or otherwise furnished immediately to the contractor.

E. Finality of decision. A decision under Subsection C of this Section shall be final and conclusive unless one of the following applies:

(1) The decision is fraudulent.

(2) The contractor has timely appealed an adverse decision of the commissioner to the court in accordance with R.S. 18:1367.9(C).

Acts 2025, No. 208, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:445.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 445.1
Political party committees; election
Status: in_force

Notwithstanding any other provision in this Part, if the presidential preference primary is repealed, all elections for members of a state central committee or a parish executive committee of a recognized political party shall occur at the same time as the statewide presidential general election.

Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:31 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 31
State voter registration computer system; parish computer system
Status: in_force

A.(1) The secretary of state shall establish a state voter registration computer system for the registration of voters throughout the state in accordance with the provisions of this Title.

(2) The secretary of state shall prepare a minimum of one hour of training on cybersecurity for all persons who have user credentials to access the computer network operated or managed by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall require each such person to complete this training annually in order to maintain credentialed access to the computer network.

B. The secretary of state shall adopt rules and regulations with respect to all records, data, and information required for registration of voters and the transfer of copies thereof to the department. The secretary of state shall establish, by rule, a uniform cost for the preparation of lists of registered voters. However, no charges for preparation or transmission of voter registration data shall apply to the office of motor vehicles of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, when the transmitted data is used to verify voter registration information against driver's license and social security information. All rules and regulations shall be adopted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure Act.

C. All revenues derived from the sale of lists of registered voters and related statistical information and from the use of the Department of State's information system shall be deposited in the state general fund to the credit of the Department of State. The secretary of state shall utilize such revenues to offset and supplement costs relating to the operation of the state voter registration computer system.

D. Pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 18:18(A)(4), the secretary of state shall submit to the legislature an annual report in a format requested by the legislature which includes a list of registered voters and other data associated with registered voters to be used for redistricting and other legislative purposes. Such lists and data shall be updated quarterly as requested by the legislature.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 166, §1, eff. July 14, 1982; Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 1985, No. 754, §1; Acts 1988, No. 909, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1999, No. 254, §2, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 451, §1, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §2, eff. July 3, 2003, and §3, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2020, No. 28, §1, eff. June 4, 2020.

NOTE: See Acts 2001, No. 451, §8(A), relative to effective date.

NOTE: See Acts 2003, No. 1220, §5, relative to effective date.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:158 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 158
Retention of absentee by mail and early voting ballots and records; retention of registration records for federal elections
Status: in_force

A. The registrar of voters in each parish shall keep and maintain all records relating to absentee by mail and early voting as provided in Chapter 7 of this Title.

B. The registrar of voters in each parish shall keep and maintain for a period of twenty-two months from the date of the election all applications for registration and registration records received for purposes of voting in an election involving the office of President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, presidential elector, United States Senator, or United States Representative.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1985, No. 755, §1; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.16 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.16
Penalty
Status: in_force

Whoever violates any provision of this Chapter shall be fined not less than one hundred dollars nor more than one thousand dollars, and imprisoned for not less than thirty days nor more than ninety days.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:410.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 410.7
Party candidates who qualify for a general election
Status: in_force

A. The candidate who receives the majority of votes in the party primary qualifies for the general election as the party's nominee for the office. All candidate nominations for a party primary office by major political parties for the general election shall be made in this manner, except as otherwise provided in R.S. 18:410.6(B).

B.(1) In the event that no candidate receives the majority of votes in the first party primary, the two candidates from each political party who received the greatest number of votes in the first party primary shall be voted on in the second party primary.

(2) In the case of a tie vote for first place in the first party primary of a major political party, all of the candidates affiliated with the same political party who received the same highest number of votes qualify for the second party primary.

(3) In the case of a tie vote for second place in the first party primary of a major political party, all of the candidates affiliated with the same political party who received the same second highest number of votes and the candidate affiliated with the same political party who received the highest number of votes qualify for the second party primary.

(4) If one of the persons receiving the highest number of votes in the first party primary withdraws his candidacy, dies, or is otherwise disqualified, thereby leaving only one candidate from the same political party in the race, the remaining candidate who has received the highest number of votes for the office for which he was a candidate shall be declared the nominee of the party.

C. There shall be no third party primary. In the case of a tie vote in the second party primary of a major political party, none of the candidates qualify as the party nominee for the general election, and the party nominee shall be selected by a public drawing of lots conducted by the State Board of Election Supervisors from among the candidates who received the highest number of votes in the second party primary election. The public drawing of lots shall be conducted at the state capitol on a day and at a time fixed by the board within one week after the results of the election become official. The candidates involved shall be given at least three days' written notice of the time and place of the public drawing of lots.

Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2024, No. 640, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §2, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.17 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.17
Right to contest preserved
Status: repealed

Nothing contained in this Chapter shall be construed to deny to any public officer recalled, or whose recall is sought, the right to contest the recall, or any proceedings in relation thereto, in any court of competent jurisdiction, for fraud or other illegality. The procedural provisions of Chapter 9, Part I, of this Code shall be applicable to such actions.

Acts 1986, No. 669, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1553 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1553
Reports; contents; due dates
Status: in_force

The reports shall be filed at the same time, shall contain the same information, and shall be certified correct in the same manner as reports required by this Chapter for candidates.

Acts 2011, No. 208, §1; Acts 2024, No. 390, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:117 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 117
Training for accepting voter registration applications
Status: in_force

A. The secretary of state in conjunction with the registrars of voters shall be responsible for developing all employee training programs necessitated for acceptance of voter registration applications under the provisions of R.S. 18:114 and 116.

B. The secretary of state in conjunction with the registrars of voters shall be responsible for training those personnel of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections and voter registration agencies responsible for training other personnel in those same agencies.

Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1511.7 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1511.7
Venue
Status: in_force

A. Actions or proceedings for violation of R.S. 18:1505.1 may only be removed to the parish of East Baton Rouge.

B. Except as provided in Subsection A of this Section, actions removed pursuant to R.S. 18:1511.5 or prosecutions for any violation of this Chapter shall be brought in the parish of the domicile of the offender, and prosecutions shall be instituted by the district attorney of that parish.

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 2024, No. 137, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1308.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1308.3
Special provision for temporarily displaced persons
Status: in_force

A. The Legislature of Louisiana recognizes that due to the recent common disaster and state of emergency an unprecedented number of persons have been temporarily displaced from their parishes of residence for an indefinite period of time. Because the right to vote is a right that is essential to the effective operation of a democratic government, the legislature finds that the state has a compelling interest in securing the right to vote for any temporarily displaced person who may experience greater difficulty exercising his right due to his displaced status.

(1) The legislature, therefore, enacts this Paragraph to provide for the following provisions, applicable to members of the United States service or persons residing outside the United States, to apply to any registered voter temporarily displaced from his parish of residence when he submits with an application to vote by mail an affidavit attesting that he is temporarily displaced from his parish of residence by reason of the state of emergency, that he is eligible to vote in his parish of residence, and that he expects to be out of his parish of registration during early voting and on election day: R.S. 18:1307(C) and 1311(D)(1)(a), except that the application to vote by mail shall be valid for a period of one year following February 23, 2006. The provisions of this Paragraph shall not apply to any person who has not previously voted in his parish of residence either during early voting in the office of the registrar or at the precinct in which he is registered to vote.

(2)(a) The legislature, therefore, additionally enacts this Paragraph to provide for the following provisions, applicable to members of the United States service or persons residing outside the United States, to apply to any registered voter, who registered to vote by mail on or after October 5, 2004 but prior to September 25, 2005, who is temporarily displaced from his parish of residence when he submits with an application to vote by mail an affidavit attesting that he is temporarily displaced from his parish of residence by reason of the state of emergency, that he is eligible to vote in his parish of residence, and that he expects to be out of his parish of registration during early voting and on election day: R.S. 18:115(F)(2)(a), 1307(C), and 1311(D)(1)(a), except that the application to vote by mail shall be valid for a period of one year following February 23, 2006.

(b) Upon expiration of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, any voter who has voted absentee by mail pursuant to Subparagraph (a) who has not voted during early voting at the registrar's office or at the polls on election day shall not be considered to have previously voted in the parish in which he is registered for purposes of R.S. 18:115(F)(1) and shall be subject to the requirements of R.S. 18:115(F)(1).

B. The provisions of R.S. 18:1308(A)(2) shall not apply to absentee by mail voting conducted pursuant to this Section. The provisions of Subsection B, Paragraph (A)(1), and Subparagraph (A)(2)(a) of this Section shall be effective for a period of one year following February 23, 2006.

C. When a person has submitted an application to vote absentee by mail pursuant to this Section, the registrar shall, prior to sending the absentee by mail ballot, contact the appropriate election official in the jurisdiction where the applicant has requested for his absentee by mail ballot to be sent and attempt to verify that the person has not registered to vote in that jurisdiction, or if such jurisdiction has a statewide voter registration database, in that state. If the registrar finds that the person has registered in that jurisdiction or state, the person shall not be permitted to vote absentee by mail and the registrar shall proceed in accordance with the applicable provisions of Part V of Chapter 4 of this Code.

Acts 2006, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 4, §1, eff. Feb. 23, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 403, §1, eff. June 15, 2006.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1354 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1354
Parish custodian of voting machines; powers and duties; appointment of deputy custodians
Status: in_force

A.(1) The clerk of the district court is ex officio parish custodian of voting machines in each parish, except that in any parish having a civil and a criminal district court the clerk of the criminal district court is ex officio parish custodian of voting machines. The parish custodian of each parish shall assist the secretary of state in the performance of his functions within the parish.

(2) The secretary of state may fix a monthly amount to be paid to parish custodians throughout the state as compensation for their duties in connection with elections. Any such amount fixed shall be in conformity with a uniform compensation schedule that the secretary of state shall adopt and that shall be based on the number of machines allocated to the various parishes. No parish custodian shall be paid more than two hundred dollars per month for such duties. Compensation so paid shall be paid monthly by the secretary of state from any funds appropriated to him for the purpose.

B. In addition to any other duties vested in him by law, the parish custodian shall:

(1) Provide for the instruction of election commissioners and the issuance of certificates of instruction as provided in R.S. 18:431 and 433.

(2) Notify the candidates in each election of the date and time when they may examine the voting machines as provided in R.S. 18:1373.

(3) Certify that the public counters are set at zero on the machines, and certify to the number on the protective counter or device of the machines prior to the election, as provided in R.S. 18:1373.

(4) Supervise and have custody of the machines from the time they are taken from the warehouses or other central point for distribution to the polling places until the machines are turned over to the election commissioners, and from the time the machines are surrendered by the election commissioners until they are returned to the secretary of state at the place of storage.

(5) Be responsible for the trucking and delivery of the machines to the polling places. Where necessary, he shall provide guards for the machines in transit and at the polling places, and for this purpose, he may use local law enforcement officers. Upon the request of the parish custodian, the chief administrative officer of the police force shall furnish law enforcement officers for this purpose, and his failure to do so shall be punishable as provided in R.S. 18:1461.3.

(6) No later than the date of the election, notify the candidates of the date, hour, and place or places of the opening of the machines and supervise the opening of the machines.

(7) Receive from the registrar of voters the precinct register of every precinct and the computer voter lists or the duplicate poll lists, which shall be delivered by the contractors employed for the delivery of voting machines to the various precincts prior to the time fixed for opening the polls.

(8) Transmit the election results to the secretary of state in the manner directed by the secretary of state.

C.(1) The parish custodian of voting machines may employ persons on a temporary basis, as needed, to assist him in the performance of his duties. He may appoint a deputy parish custodian of voting machines for any polling place he deems necessary. He may not appoint as deputy parish custodian of voting machines any person who has been convicted of a felony for which he has not been pardoned. The parish custodian shall not appoint a person who is a candidate or a member of a candidate's immediate family to serve in any polling location where the candidate's name appears on the ballot. The compensation of a deputy parish custodian shall be one hundred dollars for each election at which he serves. The deputy parish custodian shall deliver the key envelope and the supplemental list to the commissioner-in-charge at least one-half hour before the fixed time for the opening of the polls.

(2) For an election held within one year following the date of the issuance of any gubernatorial declaration of an emergency, upon application of the parish custodian of voting machines, the secretary of state may approve the payment of up to one hundred dollars per election as compensation to each deputy parish custodian in addition to compensation otherwise provided for in this Subsection.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 523, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Amended by Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 1981, No. 77, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1983, No. 681, §1, eff. July 21, 1983; Acts 1985, No. 754, §1; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 310, §1; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 526, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2016, No. 626, §1; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2018, No. 584, §1, eff. May 28, 2018; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19, 2019; Acts 2020, 2 nd Ex. Sess., No. 11, §1, eff. Oct. 27, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:673 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 673
Official's opinion
Status: in_force

Within twenty days of the receipt of such written complaint, the proper official shall investigate and provide a written opinion, with reasons, as to whether the officeholder meets the residence or domicile requirements of the office he holds to the complainant and to the legislative or executive agency, board, commission, governing authority, or other body or entity of the state or of any political subdivision, to which the officeholder has been elected or appointed. The opinion shall also be published in the official journal of the parish of the officeholder's designated domicile.

Acts 1988, No. 550, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1988.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:403 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 403
Election records and papers; preservation; public record
Status: in_force

A. Except as otherwise provided by law, every election official shall retain and preserve, for at least six months after the date of a primary or general election, all records and papers which come into his possession relating to the qualifying of candidates, the selection of commissioners, alternate commissioners, and watchers, and the conduct or results of a primary or general election. These records and papers shall be public records open to inspection by anyone.

B. In an election involving the office of the president of the United States, vice president of the United States, presidential elector, United States senator, or United States representative, all records and papers which come into the possession of an election official relating to any application, registration, or other act requisite to voting in such election shall be kept and maintained for a period of twenty-two months from the date of the election.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:671 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 671
Judgment declaring office vacant
Status: in_force

A. In addition to other procedures authorized by law, an office shall be considered vacant for purposes of this Part when a judgment declaring the office vacant as provided in this Subpart becomes final.

B. For purposes of this Part, "designated domicile" means the residence or domicile stated on an officeholder's notice of candidacy or on the document evidencing the appointment or selection of the officeholder.

C. For purposes of this Part, "proper official" means the district attorney of the officeholder's designated domicile, except that in the case of an officeholder of a state office, as defined in R.S. 18:452, a state legislator, or a district attorney, the proper official shall be the attorney general, provided that in the case of the attorney general, the proper official shall be the district attorney of the Nineteenth Judicial District.

Acts 1988, No. 550, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1988.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.31 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.31
Petition for neighborhood crime prevention and security district and parcel fee
Status: in_force

A. Whenever the creation of a neighborhood crime prevention and security district and approval of a parcel fee for such district is proposed as provided for in R.S. 33:9100.21, the board of directors of the homeowners' association or associations of the subdivision or subdivisions which are to compose the district shall adopt a resolution proposing the district and parcel fee addressed to the governing authority of the municipality, if the subdivision or subdivisions are located within a municipality, or the governing authority of the parish if the subdivision or subdivisions are not located within a municipality, hereinafter "the appropriate local governing authority". The resolution shall state all of the following:

(1) The name of the district proposed to be created and its proposed boundaries.

(2) The purpose for which the district is to be formed, including the amount of any parcel fee proposed to be levied on parcels within the district, a definition of the parcels upon which it will be levied, including whether the fee will be levied on all parcels located within the district, or on only improved parcels, the term of the fee, any possible renewal of the fee at the end of such term, and the purposes for which the fee proceeds may be expended.

(3) The composition of the board of commissioners which will govern the district.

(4) A reference to R.S. 33:9100.21 and this Section.

(5) A request that the appropriate local governing authority authorize the collection of signatures within the subdivision or subdivisions comprising the proposed district for a petition requesting the governing authority to call an election to approve the district and parcel fee and, if such petition is signed by not less than thirty percent of the number of the total electors of such subdivision or subdivisions, that the appropriate local governing authority then may adopt a resolution ordering an election for the purpose of creating the district and approving the levy of the parcel fee.

(6) A designation of the chairman to act for the signers of the petition in all matters, and a vice chairman to act on order of the chairman or in case of the death, disability, absence, or resignation of the chairman, including their full names and residence addresses, each of whom shall be a qualified voter in the subdivision or subdivisions for which the district is proposed to be created.

(7) A list of the precincts included within the boundaries of the district and, in the case of a precinct not entirely within the district, a description of the part of the precinct that is within the district. Prior to adoption of the resolution by the association or associations, the association or associations shall submit a description of the boundaries of the proposed district to the registrar of voters for the parish and the registrar shall prepare a precinct list as required by this Paragraph to be included in the resolution.

B.(1) Upon the adoption of a resolution by the appropriate local governing authority authorizing the collection of signatures for such a petition within such area, a petition may be circulated which requests that an election be called and held within the area comprising the proposed district to authorize creation of the district and the levy of the parcel fee.

(2)(a) The secretary of state shall provide a form approved by the attorney general to be used for the petition to request an election to authorize the creation of a neighborhood crime prevention and security district and the levy of a parcel fee for such district. The form shall describe all of the information set forth in Paragraphs (A)(1), (2), and (3) of this Section.

(b) Such form shall be in conformity with the provisions of this Chapter and Chapters 6-A and 6-B of this Title. All such petitions shall be on an approved form or on a form which contains the same information as required by the approved form and any petition not on such a form shall be invalid.

C. All signatures on such petitions shall be handwritten. The appropriate local governing authority shall have the authority to call an election as provided in R.S. 18:1300.33 only if the petition is signed by a number of the electors of the subdivision or subdivisions proposing to create the district as will in number equal not less than thirty percent of the number of the total electors of such voting area wherein and for which an election is petitioned.

D.(1) Prior to the entering of any signatures on a petition, the person designated to represent the petitioners shall file with the appropriate local governing authority as provided for in Subsection A of this Section a copy of the petition which will be used, and upon receipt of the petition, the fact and the date of filing with the governing authority shall be endorsed thereon. A copy shall be transmitted by such governing authority to the secretary of state and to the registrar of voters for the parish in which the election is to be held. The chairman shall describe on the petition the subdivision or subdivisions within the municipality or parish in which the election is to be held. The petition shall be deemed filed when the petition is either:

(a) Received in the office of the appropriate local governing authority.

(b) Postmarked by the United States Postal Service, if subsequently received in the office of the appropriate local governing authority.

(c) Receipted on a return receipt form, if subsequently received by the office of the appropriate local governing authority.

(2) The signed and dated petition shall be submitted to the appropriate local governing authority and to the registrar of voters for the parish not later than one hundred eighty days after the day on which the copy of the petition was filed with the appropriate local governing authority. If the final day for submitting the signed and dated petition falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the deadline for filing such petition shall be on the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

(3) The chairman shall file notice with the appropriate local governing authority and the registrar on the third day before the petition is submitted to them that he will submit the petition and the date of such submission, unless such submission is made within three days prior to the expiration of the period for submitting such petition. Such notice of submission shall be a public record. If the notice filed with the appropriate local governing authority and the registrar on the third day before the petition is submitted includes a date for submitting the signed and dated petition which falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, the appropriate local governing authority shall so inform the chairman and the registrar and advise them of the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday and on which the petition is to be submitted.

E.(1) Each elector, at the time of signing the petition, shall enter his address and the date on which he signed beside or underneath his signature; however, if a person is unable to write, such incapacitated person shall affix his mark to the petition, and the person circulating the petition shall affix the name and address of such incapacitated person, as well as the date on which such incapacitated person affixed his mark to the petition, in the presence of two witnesses who shall also sign their names as witnesses to the mark and date their signatures.

(2) In addition, each petition shall be in compliance with the provisions of R.S. 18:3.

F. In determining the number of qualified electors who signed the petition in any subdivision or subdivisions comprising a proposed district, the registrar of voters shall not count any signature which is undated or bears a date prior to the date on which the copy of the petition initially was filed with the appropriate local governing authority or after the date of the submission of the petition to the appropriate local governing authority, except as provided for in R.S. 18:1300.32(B). The registrar shall not receive or certify a petition submitted to him for certification unless it is submitted to him timely.

Acts 2008, No. 930, §1, eff. July 15, 2008.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:410.10 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 410.10
Party primary elections
Status: in_force

Party primary elections shall be held in an election year on the spring election dates established in R.S. 18:402.

Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2024, No. 640, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §5(A)(3), eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1470 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1470
Political advertising; prohibition; exception
Status: in_force

A. Except as provided in Subsection B of this Section, no political campaign signs shall be erected, displayed, or posted on any publicly owned property or right of way, or to or on any public utility pole or stanchion.

B. Subject to school board policy, political campaign signs may be erected, displayed, or posted in or on the premises of any public school athletic field or public school gymnasium if the erection, display, or posting is paid for by a political candidate or political campaign.

C. The provisions of this Section shall not create an exception to R.S. 18:1462, relative to prohibited acts during early voting or on election day.

Acts 1984, No. 225, §2; Acts 2025, No. 89, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:63 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 63
Ineligibility to hold elective or appointive public office
Status: in_force

A registrar, deputy registrar, or employee of a registrar shall not be eligible to hold any elective or appointive public office or position with the United States or the state or any of its agencies or political subdivisions, except as otherwise specifically provided by law.

Acts 1976, No. 697, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1284 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1284
Resolution calling election; proposition
Status: in_force

A. The election shall be ordered by a resolution of the governing authority of the political subdivision which shall state the purpose for which it is called.

B. If the purpose of the election is to authorize the issuance of bonds, the resolution and the proposition submitted to the voters shall state the purpose for which the bonds are to be issued and, if required by the law pursuant to which the bonds are issued, the estimated millage rate to be levied in the first year of issue, the maximum amount of the bonds to be issued, the number of years for which the bonds are to run, and the maximum rate of interest on the bonds.

C. If the purpose of the election is to authorize the levy or increase of a special tax, the resolution and the proposition submitted to the voters shall state the rate, object, and purpose for which the tax is to be levied or increased; the estimated amount reasonably expected to be collected from the levy or increase of the tax for one entire year at the time it is proposed; and, if it is to be limited as to duration, the number of years it is to run. If the purpose of the election is to authorize an increase of a tax, the resolution and the proposition shall also state the rate increase. The contents of any proposition or resolution relative to the issuance of general obligation bonds shall be as provided in Subsection B of this Section.

D. If the purpose of the election is to authorize the assumption of indebtedness, the resolution and the proposition submitted to the voters shall state the amount and nature of the debt to be assumed.

E. In each election ordered by a governing authority of a political subdivision for the purpose of authorizing the issuance of bonds, the proposition on the ballot submitted to the voters shall state the kind and source of revenues which are pledged to retire the bonds.

F.(1) The proposition shall not exceed two hundred words in length and shall not include words that are struck through, underscored, or in boldface type.

(2) The secretary of state shall be responsible for ensuring that the proposition complies with the requirements of this Section.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 545, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1978, No. 292, §1, eff. July 6, 1978; Acts 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1993, No. 426, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §1, eff. Jan.1, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 768, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 591, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2012, No. 138, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 60, §1, eff. May 16, 2014; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:567.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 567.6
Judicial review
Status: in_force

The final decision of the board or the final resolution of the administrative law judge may be judicially reviewed by filing a petition in the Nineteenth Judicial District Court, Parish of East Baton Rouge. The petition shall be filed within thirty days after the mailing of the notice of the final decision of the board or the final resolution of the administrative law judge.

Acts 2003, No. 423, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:18.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 18.2
Certain political activities prohibited; secretary of state
Status: in_force

A. The secretary of state may participate or engage in political activity related to his own candidacy for election to public office, including soliciting contributions for his campaign and taking an active part in the management of the affairs of his campaign and his principal campaign committee. He may also exercise his right as a citizen to express his opinion privately and to cast his vote as he desires. The secretary of state shall not participate or engage in any other political activity, including the candidacy of any other person for election to public office; membership on any other national, state, or local committee of a political party or faction; making or soliciting contributions for any political party, faction, or other candidate; or taking active part in the management of the affairs of a political party, faction, other candidate, or any other political campaign.

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 2006, No. 415, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1468 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1468
Contributions in return for endorsement; prohibition
Status: in_force

A. No person shall solicit or receive funds nor any thing of value from a candidate or political committee and no candidate or political committee or other person shall pay any funds or any thing of value to any person for the purpose of endorsing, supporting, opposing, or securing an endorsement, support of or opposition to any candidate. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit the payment by a candidate, political committee, or other person, of funds or any thing of value to a person in return for the conducting, by such person to whom the payment is made, of a social function which is in support of or in opposition to a candidate or political committee of* which otherwise seeks to influence an election.

B. The terms used in this Section shall be defined as in Chapter 11 of this Title.

C. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years, or both.

Added by Acts 1980, No. 786, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 2010, No. 797, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.

*SO IN ENROLLED BILL
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:563 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 563
Procedure for voting
Status: in_force

A. The commissioners shall not allow more voters to approach the voting machines than there are vacant machines available for voting. Except as otherwise provided by law, the commissioners shall not allow more than one person to enter a voting machine at a time.

B. A minor may accompany his parent or legal guardian into the voting machine.

C.(1)(a) A voter shall not remain in a voting machine longer than six minutes. If a voter fails to leave a voting machine promptly after a commissioner has notified him that six minutes have elapsed, the commissioners shall order the voter to complete voting and leave the voting machine.

(b) Notwithstanding Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, if the ballot is lengthy or if it contains complex propositions or constitutional amendments, the commissioners may allocate additional time in an equitable manner.

(2) Notwithstanding Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, a voter receiving assistance in voting pursuant to R.S. 18:564 or a voter using the audio ballot shall be allowed to remain in a voting machine for up to twenty minutes. If such a voter fails to leave a voting machine promptly after a commissioner has notified him that twenty minutes have elapsed, the commissioners shall order the voter to complete voting and leave the voting machine.

D.(1)(a) In order to cast a vote on a voting machine, a voter shall make at least one selection in a candidate or proposition election. Voting is completed by activating the cast vote mechanism.

(b) If a voter has made any selection in a candidate or proposition election but has failed to activate the cast vote mechanism, a commissioner observed by at least one other commissioner shall activate the cast vote mechanism for the fled voter without altering any selections made by the voter.

(c) If a voter has failed to make any selection before leaving the voting machine and, therefore, a commissioner cannot activate the cast vote mechanism for the fled voter, a commissioner shall complete in triplicate the notation of irregularities form provided by the secretary of state and reset the voting machine.

(2)(a) In order to cast a vote on a paper ballot, a voter must make a selection for a candidate or for or against a proposition by completely filling in the oval to the right of a selection and returning the ballot to the appropriate election official within the applicable deadline set forth by law. If a voter makes selections for more than the number of candidates to be elected for an office or makes selections for and against the same proposition, the selections for that office or proposition will be void.

(b) If a voter determines that his ballot is spoiled because he wants to change or correct his vote on the ballot before it is cast and counted but is unable to do so, he may obtain a replacement ballot upon returning the spoiled ballot to a commissioner. The voter shall cast his vote as provided in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph using the replacement ballot. The commissioner shall write the words "spoiled and replaced" on the ballot and shall place it in the envelope marked "Registrar of Voters".

E. A voter shall promptly leave the polling place after voting and shall not reenter a voting machine.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1987, No. 237, §1; Acts 1987, No. 831, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §2, eff. July 3, 2003; Acts 2007, No. 240, §1; Acts 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2016, No. 281, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2017; Acts 2018, No. 584, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 2019; Acts 2021, No. 22, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2022; Acts 2021, No. 397, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1495.6 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1495.6
Small campaigns; affidavit in lieu of reports
Status: in_force

Any candidate, for a major or district office required by this Chapter to file reports of information as provided in R.S. 18:1495.5, who did not receive a contribution in excess of five hundred dollars and who did not make expenditures totaling in excess of ten thousand dollars in the aggregate during the aggregating period, may file an affidavit setting out such facts in lieu of each report required by R.S. 18:1495.4, but a separate affidavit shall be required in lieu of each such report.

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 266, §1, eff. July 18, 1982; Acts 1988, No. 994, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 2025, No. 398, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1467 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1467
Conviction in fraudulent vote cases; prohibition from employment in elections
Status: in_force

Any person who has been convicted of any crime involving fraud or any violation of this Title while serving in the conduct of an election and in his capacity as a commissioner-in-charge, commissioner, watcher, or employee of a parish custodian of voting machines, or deputy of a clerk of court or law enforcement officer, shall thereafter be prohibited from serving in any of the positions aforementioned in any election or in connection with any election.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 590, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2010, No. 797, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:494 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 494
Effect of sustaining an objection to candidacy
Status: in_force

A. Disqualification. Except as provided in Subsection B of this Section, when an objection to candidacy is sustained on any of the grounds provided for in R.S. 18:492, the final judgment shall disqualify the defendant as a candidate in the primary election for that office.

B. Withdrawal. When an objection to candidacy is sustained on the ground that the defendant is prohibited by law from becoming a candidate for one or more of the offices for which he qualified in the primary election, the final judgment shall order the defendant to remove the grounds for the objection by withdrawing from the primary election for one or more of the offices. If the defendant fails to comply with this judgment within twenty-four hours after it becomes definitive, the court shall render judgment disqualifying the defendant as a candidate for all of the offices for which he qualified in the primary election.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2024, No. 390, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1292 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1292
Canvass of returns
Status: in_force

A. On the date and at the hour and place specified in the notice of election, the governing authority ordering the election, in public session, shall examine and canvass the returns and declare the result of the election.

B.(1) The result shall be promulgated by one publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the political subdivision or, if there is none, in a newspaper of general circulation in the parish or, if there is no newspaper of general circulation in the parish, then in a newspaper of general circulation in an adjoining parish.

(2) The governing authority shall include in the publication, in accordance with Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, a statement of the actual cost of the election as determined by the secretary of state in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 8-A of this Title.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 545, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2019, No. 205, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1374 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1374
Equipment of polling places; location of machines
Status: in_force

A. To the extent possible, the authority charged with the selection of polling places shall designate polling places which are equipped with proper electric current, fixtures, and outlets necessary to properly operate the voting machines and otherwise conduct the election.

B.(1)(a) Each voting machine used during early voting shall be placed inside the polling place and shall be in full view of the public during each day of early voting from the time the polling place is opened until the last elector has voted.

(b) Each voting machine used on election day shall be placed inside the polling place and shall be in full view of the public from the time the polling place is opened until the last elector has voted.

(2) The commissioners and watchers shall be stationed near the voting machines, and the commissioners shall regulate the admission of the voters thereto, and each shall always be in full view of the other election commissioners and watchers and, as far as possible, of the public.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2018, No. 304, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1400.8 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1400.8
Expenses incurred by registrars of voters conducting early voting; payment by secretary of state
Status: in_force

Election expenses incurred by a registrar of voters and his permanent employees to perform election duties and responsibilities associated with early voting on any day during the week between 4:30 p.m. and the time that early voting terminates that day and on any Saturday on which early voting is conducted shall be paid by the state from funds appropriated to the secretary of state for that purpose.

Acts 2007, No. 229, §1; Acts 2008, No. 167, §1, eff. June 12, 2008; Acts 2015, No. 269, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2016, and §2, eff. Dec. 31, 2017.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1316 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1316
Rejection of ballot having distinguishing marks
Status: in_force

A. Any ballot with a distinguishing mark or feature making the ballot susceptible of identification shall be rejected if at least a majority of the members of the board determine that the distinguishing mark was made by action of the voter. The marking of the ballot by the voter in such manner that a portion of an authorized mark to indicate a vote inadvertently extends outside the box in which it is to be placed shall not be sufficient cause to reject the ballot. Any ballot containing a combination of authorized marks and any ballot marked by a mark or an instrument other than as instructed on the ballot shall be considered as susceptible of identification and shall be rejected by the board.

B. A ballot transmitted by facsimile shall not be considered as having distinguishing marks.

C. A ballot transmitted electronically to a member of the United States Service, as defined in R.S. 18:1302, or a person residing outside the United States shall not be considered as having distinguishing marks.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1982, No. 166, §1, eff. July 14, 1982; Acts 1985, No. 755, §1; Acts 1992, No. 438, §1, eff. June 20, 1992; Acts 2010, No. 624, §1, eff. June 25, 2010.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:151 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 151
Custody of records
Status: in_force

A. The original application for registration, together with the registers, records, files, books, and paraphernalia used for conduct of the registrar's office, shall be kept under the control and in the custody of the registrar at his principal office and shall be removed therefrom only as provided in this Section, as authorized by law, or on order of a competent court. However, if his permanent branch office is separated from his principal office by navigable waters, the registrar may allow his records to be kept both in his principal office and the permanent branch office.

B. The original application for registration or any of the registers, records, files, books, and paraphernalia used for conduct of the registrar's office shall be released, upon the request of the secretary of state, to the control and custody of the secretary of state, or his designee, for scanning or, upon request of the registrar, entering registration information into the state voter registration computer system. The secretary of state shall be responsible for the preservation and maintenance of all such materials released to him, or to his designee, until the materials have been returned to the control and custody of the registrar.

C. For purposes of this Part, the original application for registration shall include the actual document or form completed by the voter and all documented changes thereto.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1032, §7; Acts 2009, No. 186, §2, eff. June 29, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1.

NOTE: See Acts 2001, No. 1032, §17.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:51.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 51.1
Manner of appointment of the registrar
Status: in_force

A. The parish governing authority shall appoint the registrar of voters for the parish in accordance with the provisions of this Section.

B.(1) The parish governing authority shall take all reasonable steps to make as many people in the parish as possible aware of the upcoming appointment of a registrar, including without limitation by issuing press releases to local news services and other media outlets and, if the governing authority has a website, by posting notice on its website.

(2)(a) At a minimum, the parish governing authority shall publish notice of the upcoming appointment together with a request for the submission of applications to fill the office on two separate days at least one week apart in the official journal of the governing authority and in another newspaper with a larger circulation within the parish than the official journal if there is such a newspaper.

(b) The notice shall comply with the following requirements:

(i) Prominent placement in a section other than the classified advertisement or public notice section.

(ii) Formatting in a box with a bolded outline.

(iii) A size of not less than two inches by four inches.

(iv) Print in bold face type.

(c) The notice shall contain the deadline for submitting applications, which shall be no later than seven calendar days following the last day of publication of notice as provided in this Paragraph.

C. In appointing the registrar, the governing authority shall offer to interview each applicant who meets the qualifications provided by law for the office of registrar of voters.

Acts 2016, No. 360, §1, special eff. date.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1255 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1255
Filing nominating petitions
Status: in_force

A. All nominating petitions of presidential electors shall be filed with the secretary of state during the period beginning on the third Tuesday in July and ending at 4:30 p.m. on the first Friday following the third Tuesday in August of each year in which a presidential election is to be held. The secretary of state shall endorse on the nominating petitions the date and time of filing. Any nominating petitions submitted other than during such period shall be null and void and shall not be accepted by the secretary of state.

B. All nominating petitions filed with the secretary of state shall be open to public inspection, and the secretary of state shall preserve them in his office for at least one year.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1980, No. 792, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1981, No. 76, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013.