La. Rev. Stat. § 18:574 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 574
Compilation and promulgation of returns
Status: in_force

A.(1) The parish board of election supervisors or the members of the board selected by the board as its representatives shall meet at the time and place designated by the clerk of court for the voting machines to be opened. The board or its representatives shall observe the verification of the votes by the clerk of court.

(2) Immediately after the completion of the verification by the clerk of court and the counting and tabulation of provisional ballots for federal office, if applicable, the board shall publicly prepare two compiled statements of the election returns as shown by the record of the votes made by the clerk of court. The compiled statements shall separately show the machine votes for each candidate and for and against each proposition in each precinct, the total absentee by mail and early voting votes for each candidate and for and against each proposition in the parish, the total provisional votes for each candidate for federal office, and the total of all votes for each candidate and for and against each proposition in the parish.

(3) The board shall complete the compilation of the election returns and file one copy of the compiled statement with the clerk of court no later than 4:00 p.m. on the fifth day after the election. One copy of the compiled statement shall be postmarked no later than noon on the sixth day after the election and mailed to the secretary of state. The clerk of court shall transmit the election returns as shown by the compiled statement from the parish board of election supervisors to the secretary of state no later than noon on the sixth day after the election. In a parish containing a municipality with a population of three hundred thousand or more, the parish board of election supervisors shall transmit the election returns as shown by their compiled statement to the secretary of state no later than noon on the sixth day after the election. Failure to comply with these time limits shall not void the election.

B. By a majority vote of the members, the parish board of election supervisors may complete and attach to the compiled statements a notation of irregularities form prepared by the secretary of state to document irregularities observed by the board with respect to:

(1) The security of the place in which the voting machines are located.

(2) The security of the voting machines.

(3) The physical condition of the voting machines.

(4) The physical condition of the election materials in the voting machines.

(5) The substantive contents of the election materials in the voting machines.

(6) Any other matter affecting the verification of the vote totals by the clerk of court.

C. The compiled statements made by the parish board of election supervisors shall be admissible in court in an action contesting a primary or general election as prima facie proof of the number of votes received by the candidates in the election.

D.(1) The secretary of state shall verify and compile the results of the election for all candidates, proposed constitutional amendments, and recall elections based upon the compilation of the votes transmitted to him by the clerks of court from the compiled statements by the parish boards of election supervisors. In a parish containing a municipality with a population of three hundred thousand or more, the secretary of state shall verify and compile the results of the election for all candidates, proposed constitutional amendments, and recall elections based upon the compilation of the votes transmitted to him by the parish board of election supervisors. The compilation and verification shall be completed and the results thereof shall be announced on the secretary of state's website not later than noon on the seventh day after the election.

(2) The secretary of state shall announce the results for state candidates, proposed constitutional amendments, and recall elections and that the results of elections for candidates other than state candidates are available in his office. The results thus announced shall be deemed to be the tentative results of the election and shall not be deemed to be the official results of the election.

E.(1) On or before the fourteenth day after the primary or general election, if no action has been timely filed contesting the election to the office of a state candidate, the secretary of state shall promulgate the returns for state candidates, proposed constitutional amendments, and recall elections by publishing in the official journal of the state the names of the state candidates for each office in the election, the text of the proposed constitutional amendment, and recall elections and the number of votes received by each such candidate, proposed constitutional amendment, and recall elections as shown by the returns transmitted by the clerks of court from the compiled statements by the parish boards of election supervisors. In a parish containing a municipality with a population of three hundred thousand or more, the promulgation shall be from the returns transmitted by the parish board of election supervisors. On or before the fourteenth day after the primary or general election, if no action has been timely filed contesting the election to office of a candidate other than a state candidate, the secretary of state shall promulgate the returns for the election for candidates other than state candidates by publishing on the secretary of state's website a notice containing the results of the elections for candidates other than state candidates.

(2) However, if the fourteenth day after the primary or general election falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, and the secretary of state does not promulgate the returns prior to the fourteenth day after the primary or general election, he shall promulgate the returns on the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday.

F. Computation of all time intervals in this Section and Chapter 7 of this Title shall include Saturdays, Sundays, and other legal holidays. However, if the final day in a time interval falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, then the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday shall be deemed to be the final day of the time interval. If one or more of the duties in this Section or Chapter 7 of this Title required to be performed on the fifth, sixth, seventh, or fourteenth day after an election are delayed because of a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday, the duties which follow will be delayed a like amount of time.

Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, 1st E.S., No. 1, §1, eff. Sept. 1, 1991; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 451, §1, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 423, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 526, §2, eff. June 25, 2004; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2011, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 32, §1; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2018, No. 584, §2; Acts 2018, No. 584, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 2019; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19, 2019; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023; Acts 2024, No. 390, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:114 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 114
Registration at driver's license facilities
Status: in_force

A. It is the intention of the legislature to encourage the broadest possible participation in the electoral process by the citizens of this state. Therefore, voter registration services provided for in this Section shall be available at all driver's license facilities in this state.

B.(1) Each application to obtain, renew, or change the name or address on a driver's license or identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections made by an applicant who is eighteen years or older shall also serve as an application for voter registration by the applicant unless the applicant declines to register to vote through specific declination or by failing to sign the voter registration application. Each application to obtain a driver's license issued by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections made by an applicant who is sixteen years old shall also serve as an application for voter registration by the applicant unless the applicant declines to register to vote through specific declination or by failing to sign the voter registration application. In addition, any person age seventeen 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.

(2) Any change of address or change of name submitted to the Department of Public Safety and Corrections for the purpose of changing the information contained on a driver's license or identification card issued by the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall serve as a notification of change of address or change of name for voter registration unless the registrant states at the time of submitting the change of address or change of name that the change is not for voter registration purposes.

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

D. The secretary of state shall design and provide a standard notice informing the public of the eligibility requirements for and availability of voter registration, which notice shall be posted in each driver's license facility of the state.

E. The secretary of state and the deputy secretary for public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall develop voter registration application forms for use at driver's license facilities. Such forms shall be in conformity with the National Voter Registration Act of 1993.

F. Procedures for voter registration pursuant to this Section shall be as follows:

(1) The notice form, as provided for in this Section, shall be posted in a prominent place in each driver's license facility wherein voter registration applications are to be accepted.

(2) Any employee authorized to accept an application to obtain, renew, or change the name or address on a driver's license or identification card shall offer voter registration to any person making such an application, shall obtain written and signed confirmation of any declination of the offer of voter registration, and, upon request, shall provide assistance to any person who desires to register to vote. Such assistance may consist of answering any question that person might have about completing the registration form. However, if the person requesting assistance has a physical disability or is unable to read or write English, the authorized employee shall provide such assistance as is allowed to be provided by registrars of voters under the provisions of R.S. 18:106.

(3) Prior to generating the portion of the form which is an individual registration form, the authorized employee shall require the applicant to submit his current Louisiana driver's license, if he has one, or his birth certificate or birth certification card, or other documentation which reasonably and sufficiently establishes the applicant's identity, age, and residency.

(4) Each applicant shall be required to complete the registration application form in the presence of an authorized employee.

(5) Upon completion of the registration application form, the applicant shall return the form to an authorized employee.

(6) The authorized employee shall ensure that the registration form has been completely filled out.

(7) The applicant shall sign the affidavit provision of the registration form before the authorized employee who, for purposes of this Section, shall be authorized to administer any oath required on the registration form. The authorized employee shall inform the applicant that he will not be officially registered to vote until the application is received and approved by the registrar of voters.

(8) Upon completion of these procedures, the authorized employee shall, within five working days, return the completed registration application to the registrar of voters within the parish where the office is located who shall transmit such application 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 driver's license facility shall transmit the completed voter registration application forms at the conclusion of each business day. If the information contained on the application form is insufficient to register the applicant, the registrar of voters shall mail a notice to the applicant at the address provided on the application form informing the applicant that he has ten days from the date on which the notice was mailed to provide the necessary information. If the applicant fails to provide the necessary information within that time, the applicant shall not be registered and the registrar shall so advise the applicant.

(9) Upon receipt of the completed registration form, the registrar shall, if the information thereon establishes that the applicant meets the requirements for registration, register the applicant and mail notice of registration to the applicant's residence, as provided on the application. Any completed voter registration application transmitted to and received by a registrar by a driver's license facility shall be considered an update of 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 driver's license facility while the registration records are closed for a particular election as required by R.S. 18:135(A), none of the changes in a registration 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).

G. No individual shall be registered to vote pursuant to this Section if he does not meet the requirements for registration as provided in Chapter 4 of Title 18 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, except where said provisions are specifically in conflict herewith.

H. Any public official or employee who attempts to register any person without complying with the applicable provisions of this Section shall be subject to a fine of not more than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

I. The secretary of state, after consultation with the deputy secretary for public safety services of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, shall adopt rules and regulations to provide for the implementation of this Section. Such rules and regulations shall be adopted in accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act and shall be subject to oversight by the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs and the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs.

J. The transmittal of a change of address or change of name shall be handled in the same manner as the transmittal of a voter registration application.

K. If an applicant declines to register to vote, the fact that the applicant has declined to register will remain confidential and will be used only for voter registration purposes. The fact that any particular applicant has submitted an application to register to vote at a driver's license facility shall be kept confidential and shall be used only for voter registration purposes.

L. Each driver's license facility shall maintain such statistical records on the number of applications to register to vote as requested by the secretary of state.

Acts 1989, No. 792, §1; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §§1, 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 118, §3, eff. April 19, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2009, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2014, No. 173, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2015; Acts 2017, No. 176, §3.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1367.12 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1367.12
Computation of time
Status: in_force

Computation of all time intervals in this Chapter shall include Sundays and other legal holidays. However, if the time interval ends on a Sunday or other legal holiday, then noon of the next legal day shall be deemed to be the end of the time interval.

Acts 2025, No. 208, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1363 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1363
Number of machines; allocation to precincts; exception; reserve machines
Status: in_force

A. In determining the number of voting machines to be purchased and allocated for each voting precinct in each parish or municipality, the minimum number to be allocated shall be as follows:

(1) One machine for each precinct where three hundred or less voters were registered to vote thirty days prior to the election.

(2) Two machines for each precinct where more than three hundred but not more than one thousand voters were registered to vote thirty days prior to the election.

(3) Three machines for each precinct where more than one thousand voters but not more than eighteen hundred voters were registered to vote thirty days prior to the election.

(4) Four machines for each precinct where more than eighteen hundred voters were registered to vote thirty days prior to the election.

B. The parish custodian of voting machines may reduce the number of voting machines to be allocated and used in elections called under the provisions of Chapter 6-A or 6-B of this Code when the election is not held at the same time as the election of any public official. In such case, the parish custodian of voting machines shall notify the secretary of state at least four weeks prior to such election of the number of machines to be prepared and delivered for the polling places.

C. The number of voting machines to be allocated and used in an election, including the election of any public official, where more than one polling place is within the same location and the parish board of election supervisors has consolidated polling places in that location may be reduced for that election in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 18:425.1.

D. The parish custodian of voting machines may reduce the number of voting machines to be allocated and used in an election called under the provisions of Part III of Chapter 6 of this Title where the only other election on the ballot is for the election of political party committee members. Not less than twenty-nine days prior to such an election, the parish custodian of voting machines shall notify the secretary of state of the number of voting machines to be prepared and delivered to each polling place.

E. If any voting machines remain unallocated for an election, the secretary of state first shall reserve a sufficient number, not to exceed five percent of the total available, for use at precincts where a machine is disabled, damaged, or unavailable during election day. The remaining machines shall be allocated by the parish custodian, after consultation with the secretary of state, to the various precincts. As far as practicable the machines shall be distributed so that the precincts having equal or nearly equal numbers of registered voters shall have the same number of machines. If the secretary of state and a parish custodian agree that the use of the remaining machines is unnecessary for the proper and orderly conduct of the election, it shall not be necessary to allocate and use such machines.

F. Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section, if the secretary of state determines that a voting machine shortage exists in a parish, the secretary of state shall first reallocate and move any available voting machines of like type in excess of the requirements of Subsection A of this Section to the parish where the shortage exists. However, if a shortage continues to exist after relocation, the secretary of state may reduce the allocation of voting machines for each precinct and polling place in order to ensure that each polling place is allocated at least one voting machine. Prior to any reduction in allocation of voting machines the secretary of state shall immediately notify the parish custodian of voting machines in each affected parish of the reduction of the allocation of voting machines and the parish custodian of voting machines shall take whatever action is necessary consistent with this Code to accommodate the reduced allocation. In addition, the secretary of state shall notify in writing the standing committees of each house of the legislature which have oversight over elections of the shortage and the reasons therefor.

G. The parish custodian of voting machines may submit a written request to the secretary of state for additional voting machines for overcrowded precincts. The written request shall be submitted on or before the twenty-ninth day prior to the election and shall include the number of additional voting machines requested and an explanation of the need for additional voting machines. If the secretary of state determines that there is a need for additional voting machines and that the provision of additional voting machines is feasible, he may allocate additional voting machines.

H. The parish custodian of voting machines may submit a written request to the secretary of state to reduce the number of voting machines to be allocated and used in an election other than an election provided for in Subsection B or D of this Section. The written request shall be submitted on or before the twenty-ninth day prior to a primary election and at least four weeks prior to a general election and shall include the proposed reduced number of voting machines and an explanation of the need for the reduction in the number of voting machines. If the secretary of state determines that the reduction in the number of voting machines is feasible, he may reduce the number of voting machines.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1986, No. 705, §1; Acts 1986, No. 669, §1; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002, and §4, eff. June 29, 2001; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2005, No. 335, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2009, No. 369, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2021, No. 381, §1, eff. June 17, 2021; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1295 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1295
Special election to increase interest rate
Status: in_force

A. Any parish, municipality, or other political subdivision of the state in which a special election has been held, at which election the issuance of bonds of said political subdivision has been approved and a maximum rate of interest to be borne by said bonds has been established may, through the respective governing authority thereof, call and hold a special election to authorize the issuance and sale of such bonds at a maximum rate of interest greater than that rate specified in the proposition or propositions previously approved. However, such greater maximum rate of interest so submitted for approval shall not exceed the maximum rate of interest than permitted by the applicable laws of the state for the type of bonds described in the aforesaid proposition or propositions.

B. Any election called and held hereunder shall be held and conducted under the same legal authority under which the previous election was held and conducted unless such laws since have been amended, in which event said election shall be held and conducted in accordance with the laws of the state then in effect with respect to the holding and conducting of special elections to authorize the issuance of such bonds. An election held and conducted hereunder shall have no effect other than to permit the issuance and sale of said bonds at a maximum rate of interest greater than that approved at the previously held election.

C. Notwithstanding any contrary provision of this Chapter, the authority to issue any bonds approved in prior bond elections shall remain in full force and effect.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 545, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1400.9 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1400.9
Expenses incurred by secretary of state for overtime related to conduct of early voting and the election; payment by secretary of state
Status: in_force

Election expenses incurred by the secretary of state for the payment of overtime compensation to his permanent employees for overtime incurred to perform duties and responsibilities associated with early voting and the election during the time period beginning at 4:30 p.m. on the day before the start of early voting through 11:59 p.m. on the day after election day shall be paid by the state from funds appropriated to the secretary of state for that purpose.

Acts 2020, No. 253, §1, eff. June 11, 2020.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1511.4.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1511.4.1
Enforcement; failure to file; failure to timely file
Status: in_force

A. The staff of the supervisory committee may assess and issue a final order for the payment of civil penalties for knowingly failing to file or knowingly failing to timely file in accordance with R.S. 18:1505.4 and rules adopted by the supervisory committee.

B. The supervisory committee may waive all or part of any civil penalties assessed pursuant to Subsection A of this Section. A request for waiver of such penalties shall be made in writing to the supervisory committee, which shall promulgate rules governing the procedure to request a waiver. The supervisory committee may take into consideration the provisions of R.S. 18:1511.5(B) in its consideration of the request for waiver of civil penalties. The final disposition of a waiver request shall not be appealable to the Ethics Adjudicatory Board or a panel thereof.

C.(1) A final order issued pursuant to Subsection A of this Section shall be appealable to an adjudicatory panel of the Ethics Adjudicatory Board which shall conduct an adjudicatory hearing in accordance with the Code of Governmental Ethics.

(2) If a final order is appealed pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, an adjudicatory panel of the Ethics Adjudicatory Board shall determine the penalties, if any, that should be imposed in accordance with this Chapter, and shall issue a final decision. The final decision may be appealed as provided in R.S. 42:1142.

(3) The Ethics Adjudicatory Board, or a panel thereof, shall have the power and authority to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, compel the production of books, records, and papers, require the submission under oath of written reports or written answers to written questions, and to do all that is necessary to effect the provisions of this Chapter.

D. When all delays for a request for waiver or appeal have expired, a final order of the supervisory committee or its staff or final decision of an adjudicatory panel of the Ethics Adjudicatory Board shall become executory and may be enforced as any other money judgement. The supervisory committee may file civil proceedings to collect such civil penalties in the district court of the parish in which the candidate, chairman, or treasurer of the political committee or other person required to file reports is domiciled. The proceedings shall be conducted pursuant to the relevant provisions of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure. The proceeds of such civil penalties shall be paid directly to the treasurer of the state of Louisiana.

Acts 2012, No. 609, §1, eff. June 7, 2012; Acts 2025, No. 398, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:434 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 434
Commissioners and alternate commissioners; selection; commission; disqualification; replacement
Status: in_force

A. Meeting to conduct selection. (1) The parish board of election supervisors shall meet on the second day after the close of the registration records provided in R.S. 18:135(A) to select the commissioners and alternate commissioners for each precinct. If the second day after the close of the registration records falls on a legal holiday, the board shall select commissioners and alternate commissioners on the first day after such holiday that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday. The meeting shall be open to the public. The board shall have previously posted a notice on the front courthouse door designating the location within the courthouse where the meeting is to be held.

(2) The board shall publish at least one notice, in the official journal of the parish, of the date, time, and location of the meeting herein required. The notice shall be published at least five days prior to the date of the meeting.

B. Method of selection. The number of commissioners required for each precinct for the election and the same number of alternate commissioners shall be selected for each precinct from the certified list furnished by the parish board as required in R.S. 18:431(A)(4) in the following manner:

(1) The names of all the qualified commissioners for each precinct shall be compiled on one list, in alphabetical order according to surnames, and numbered consecutively from first to last.

(2) The parish board of election supervisors shall select a person to conduct the drawing.

(3) A ball made of plastic or a similar material with a number corresponding to each of the numbers on the compiled list of proposed commissioners for a precinct shall be placed in a receptacle and thoroughly mixed. The members of the parish board of election supervisors may participate in the mixing.

(4) The person conducting the drawing shall draw the same number of balls as the number of commissioners required to serve the precinct at the election from the receptacle and shall announce and publicly display the number on each ball as it is drawn. Each person whose number on the compiled list of commissioners corresponds with the number on a ball drawn from the receptacle shall be a commissioner for the precinct unless he has already been selected as the commissioner-in-charge for the precinct.

(5) If one of the persons selected already has been selected as the commissioner-in-charge, the ball drawn for that person shall be set aside, and the drawing shall continue until a person not previously selected as the commissioner-in-charge is selected.

(6) The parish board of election supervisors may opt to select one of the commissioners needed in each precinct from the lists of all persons qualified to serve as a commissioner in the entire parish, without utilizing the selection process set forth in Paragraphs (2) through (5) of this Subsection. The parish board of election supervisors must vote unanimously for each precinct for which it makes such a selection.

(7) When the appropriate number of commissioners have been selected, as provided in Paragraphs (4), (5), and (6) of this Subsection, the person conducting the drawing shall determine if each political party recognized pursuant to R.S. 18:441(C) having one or more local or municipal candidates on the ballot to be voted on in the precinct is represented by at least one commissioner. If none, one ball shall be set aside for each political party recognized pursuant to R.S. 18:441(C) thus still to be represented, beginning with the last ball drawn for a person affiliated with a political party recognized pursuant to R.S. 18:441(C) that has more than one commissioner at the precinct. The drawing shall continue until one of the persons affiliated with each of such political parties is selected, unless there are no remaining certified commissioners in the parish to represent such political parties.

(8) After the appropriate number of commissioners have been selected for each of the precincts in an election, the person conducting the selection shall select the alternate commissioners by drawing additional balls from the receptacle for each of the precincts and shall announce and publicly display the number on each ball as it is drawn. Each person whose number on the compiled list of qualified commissioners corresponds with the number on a ball drawn from the receptacle shall be an alternate commissioner for the precinct for which selected unless he already has been selected as the commissioner-in-charge for the precinct, in which event the ball drawn for that person shall be set aside and the drawing shall continue until a person not previously selected as the commissioner-in-charge for the precinct is selected.

(9) The drawing shall continue in this manner until the appropriate number of commissioners and alternate commissioners have been selected for each precinct in each parish. However, if there are not enough qualified commissioners to select the appropriate number of commissioners and alternate commissioners for each precinct, the parish board of election supervisors shall select a person to serve as a commissioner or an alternate commissioner from the list containing the names of persons within that ward who have received certificates of instruction from the clerk of court pursuant to R.S. 18:431(A)(1). If no person on that list is available to serve as a commissioner or alternate commissioner, the parish board of election supervisors shall select any person within the parish who has received a certificate of instruction from the clerk of court pursuant to R.S. 18:431(A)(1).

C. Commission. Once the commissioners and alternate commissioners are selected for a primary and general election, the parish board of election supervisors shall immediately:

(1) Issue a commission to each person who was selected as a commissioner together with a written notice stating the time, date, and place of the course of instruction to be held before the election.

(2) Issue a commission to each person who was selected as an alternate commissioner, together with a written notice stating the time, date, and place of the course of instruction to be held before the election and a written notice stating that an alternate commissioner who does not replace an absent or unqualified commissioner may serve as a watcher in the primary and general elections if his name is included on a timely filed list of watchers.

D. Replacement of a commissioner. (1) If prior to the day of the election a commissioner notifies the parish board of election supervisors that he is unable to serve as commissioner, the parish board of election supervisors shall select an alternate commissioner to serve in place of the absent commissioner. An alternate commissioner who replaces an absent commissioner in a primary election shall replace the absent commissioner in the general election. If there are no alternate commissioners or an insufficient number of alternate commissioners available, the parish board of election supervisors shall select a person to serve as commissioner from the list containing the names of persons within that ward who have received certificates of instruction from the clerk of court pursuant to R.S. 18:431(A)(1). If no person on that list is available to serve as commissioner, the parish board of election supervisors shall select any person within the parish who has received a certificate of instruction from the clerk of court pursuant to R.S. 18:431(A)(1). If there is no such qualified person available, the parish board of election supervisors shall select a watcher.

(2) If a commissioner fails to appear at the polling place at least thirty minutes before the time when the polls are to open on election day, or if a commissioner is selected as commissioner-in-charge, the commissioner-in-charge shall select an alternate commissioner to serve in place of the absent commissioner. An alternate commissioner who replaces an absent commissioner in a primary election shall replace the absent commissioner in the general election. If there are no alternate commissioners or an insufficient number of alternate commissioners available, the commissioner-in-charge shall select a person to serve as commissioner from the list containing the names of those who have received certificates of instruction that was furnished him by the parish board of election supervisors pursuant to R.S. 18:431(B)(4). If no person on that list is available to serve as commissioner, the commissioner-in-charge shall select any person present at the polls who possesses the qualifications of a commissioner as set forth in R.S. 18:425(B). If there is no such qualified person available, the commissioner-in-charge shall select a watcher.

(3) If by 8:00 a.m. on the day of the election the commissioner-in-charge has been unable to replace a commissioner pursuant to this Subsection, any replacement thereafter made shall require the approval of the clerk of court.

E. Disqualification. (1) A commissioner who fails to appear at the polling place at least thirty minutes before the opening of the polls on election day is disqualified from serving as such in the next primary and general elections held in the ward where he is registered to vote unless he establishes to the satisfaction of the parish board of election supervisors that his absence was for just cause.

(2) Upon a finding by the parish board of election supervisors that a certified commissioner has performed his duties in a negligent manner, after appropriate hearing and opportunity for the commissioner to be heard, the board shall disqualify the commissioner from service as a commissioner. Such disqualification shall continue until the commissioner has been recertified as having again attended the course of instruction for commissioners conducted pursuant to R.S. 18:431(A) and as having achieved a satisfactory score on the test prepared by the secretary of state for that course of instruction. Performance of duties in a negligent manner shall include failure to perform any of the duties of commissioner or performance of any of the duties of commissioner incorrectly.

F. Removal for cause. Any commissioner selected under the provisions of this Section may be removed for cause by the parish board of election supervisors at any time after his selection and before the closing of the polls on election day. Any commissioner removed for cause under the provisions of this Subsection shall not serve as a commissioner in any election after his removal.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1977, No. 471, §1; 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 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 1986, No. 669, §1; Acts 1987, No. 831, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 374, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1988, No. 907, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, No. 201, §1, July 2, 1991; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 363, §1; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 403, §1, eff. June 15, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2007, No. 240, §1; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2022, No. 274, §1, eff. June 3, 2022; Acts 2024, No. 390, §1; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:426.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 426.1
Election commissioners; compensation
Status: in_force

A. Each commissioner who serves at the polling place on election day shall be paid according to the following:

(1) A commissioner-in-charge shall receive two hundred fifty dollars.

(2) A commissioner-in-charge who serves at more than one precinct shall receive three hundred fifty dollars.

(3) A commissioner who has received a certificate of instruction, as provided in R.S. 18:431(A), shall receive one hundred dollars.

(4) A commissioner who has received a certificate of instruction, as provided in R.S. 18:431(B), shall receive two hundred dollars.

(5) An uncertified commissioner shall receive thirty-five dollars.

B. For an election held within one year following the date of the issuance of any gubernatorial declaration of an emergency, upon application of a parish board of election supervisors, the secretary of state may approve payment of up to one hundred dollars per election or each day of assistance, if applicable, as compensation to each commissioner in addition to compensation provided for in Subsection A of this Section.

Acts 2004, No. 693, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2007, No. 254, §1, eff. July 1, 2007; Acts 2007, No. 297, §1; Acts 2020, 2 nd Ex. Sess., No. 11, §1, eff. Oct. 27, 2020; Acts 2022, No. 423, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:465 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 465
Nominating petitions
Status: in_force

A. Time and place of filing. A nominating petition shall be filed with the official with whom the candidate qualifies and shall accompany the notice of candidacy.

B. Method of nominating candidates. A person may only be nominated as a candidate in a primary election by persons who are registered to vote on the office he seeks who sign a nominating petition for him no more than one hundred twenty days before the qualifying period opens for candidates in the primary election. In addition to his signature, each voter who signs a nominating petition shall date his signature and shall provide the ward and precinct in which he is registered to vote, his residence address, including the municipal number, the apartment number, if any, the rural route and box number, or any other physical description that will identify his actual place of residence. Once a voter has signed a nominating petition, he may not withdraw the nomination. The secretary of state shall prepare forms which may be used by any person who seeks nomination as a candidate by nominating petition. The secretary of state shall furnish copies of the forms to each clerk of court, and the forms shall be available, upon request, at the office of the secretary of state or at the office of the clerk of court. Nothing in this Subsection shall be construed to require nominating petitions to be filed only on forms prepared by the secretary of state.

C. Number of signatures required. The number of qualified voters who must timely sign a nominating petition is:

(1) For a candidate for an office voted on throughout the state-- two thousand five hundred, not less than two hundred fifty of which shall be from each of the congressional districts into which the state is divided.

(2) For a candidate for membership on the Public Service Commission--one thousand from within that district.

(3) For a candidate for any of the following offices:

(a) Louisiana Supreme Court Justice--one thousand from within that district.

(b) United States Representatives in Congress-- seven hundred fifty from within that district.

(c) Member of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education--one thousand from within that district.

(d) Judge of a court of appeal--five hundred from within that district.

(e) Any officer elected from throughout a judicial district--five hundred from within the district.

(f) Louisiana Senate--five hundred from within the senatorial district.

(g) Louisiana House of Representatives--four hundred from within the representative district.

(h) Any officer elected from throughout a parish--four hundred.

(i) Any officer elected from throughout a ward--one hundred for member of a parish governing authority and for member of a parish or city school board and one hundred for any other.

(4) For a candidate for a municipal office--fifty in a municipality having a population of five thousand or less, two hundred in a municipality having a population of more than five thousand but less than twenty-five thousand, three hundred in a municipality having a population of twenty-five thousand or more but less than fifty thousand, five hundred in a municipality having a population of fifty thousand or more but less than one hundred thousand, seven hundred fifty in a municipality having a population of one hundred thousand or more but less than three hundred thousand, and one thousand in a municipality having a population of three hundred thousand or more.

(5) For a candidate for membership on a political party committee - the lesser of four hundred or ten percent of the qualified voters in the voting area who are registered as being affiliated with the same political party as the candidate.

(6) Any office not hereinabove provided for shall require the signatures of at least one-half of one percent of the registered voters in the voting area from which the officer is elected. The number of signatures of registered voters required shall be calculated based on the number of voters who are registered thirty days before the qualifying period ends.

(7) Notwithstanding any provision of this Section to the contrary, if qualifying for any public office is reopened pursuant to R.S. 18:469(A) after the death of a candidate - twenty-five in the area from which the public officer is elected.

D. Form. Each sheet of the nominating petition shall set forth the candidate's name, the address of his domicile, the office for which the signers nominate him, the political party with which he is affiliated, if any, and the date of the primary election for which he seeks to qualify. The name of each voter who signed the nominating petition shall be typed or legibly written on the petition, and each signature on the nominating petition shall be dated and witnessed by the candidate or the person who obtained the signature on his behalf. The candidate and all persons who obtained signatures on his behalf shall certify on the nominating petition that to the best of their knowledge, information, and belief all of the signatures on the nominating petition are genuine and all of the statements contained in the nominating petition are true and correct.

E. Certification. (1)(a) A nominating petition shall be submitted to the registrars of voters in the parishes where the signers reside. A nominating petition shall be submitted to the registrars in such parishes not less than thirty days before the qualifying period ends for candidates in the primary election or, in the case of presidential electors, in the presidential election, except that in a special election called pursuant to R.S. 18:402(E), 601(A)(2), or 1279, a nominating petition shall be submitted by the candidate to the registrars of voters in such parishes not less than fourteen days before the qualifying period ends for candidates in the special election. If the final day for submitting a nominating petition to the registrars of voters falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, then the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday shall be deemed to be the final day for submitting the nominating petition.

(b) In the case of an election for which qualifying has been reopened pursuant to R.S. 18:469(A) after the death of a candidate, the nominating petition shall be submitted by the candidate during such qualifying period to the registrars of voters in the parishes where the signers reside.

(2) The registrar for each parish shall endorse upon the nominating petitions, whether original or supplemental, the date and time of submission and shall promptly certify the nominating petitions, in the order received, by determining and certifying on each nominating petition which of the signers who provided a residence address in the parish signed the nominating petition timely and are registered to vote on the office the candidate seeks. A supplemental nominating petition shall be certified in the order in which it is received, without regard to the time when the original nominating petition for that candidate was submitted. A registrar may stop certifying the signatures on a nominating petition when the total number of the signers he has certified as having signed the petition timely and as being registered to vote on the office the candidate seeks equals one hundred fifteen percent of the number of qualified voters required to nominate the candidate for the office he seeks. A registrar's certification shall be conclusive as to the number of qualified voters who timely signed a nominating petition, and evidence to the contrary shall not be admitted in an action objecting to the candidacy of the candidate who filed the nominating petition.

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 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 2008, No. 522, §1, eff. July 1, 2008; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 60, §1, eff. May 16, 2014; Acts 2025, No. 495, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:44 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 44
Contesting election; referral for prosecution
Status: in_force

A. Whenever the board determines as a result of an investigation that violations of law, irregularities, error, or fraud have occurred in the conduct of an election which, in the judgment of the board, has resulted in the apparent qualification for the second party primary or the general election or the apparent election of a candidate not entitled to be so qualified or elected, the board, upon the favorable vote of three members, may institute suit to contest the election in order to protect the interest and rights of the state in fair and honest elections. In addition, for the same cause and upon the same vote, the board may intervene in any suit instituted by any other party to contest an election.

B. In any suit instituted by the board to contest an election, the provisions of Chapter 9 of this Title shall apply, except that:

(1) An action instituted by the board to contest an election shall be brought in the district court for the parish where the state capitol is situated.

(2) In any such suit, each candidate for said office and the secretary of state shall be impleaded and shall be a party to the suit. The board shall be a party to the suit, and the board may implead as parties other persons whose interest in the subject matter, by reason of their ministerial duties or otherwise, would be directly or indirectly affected to the extent that their joinder would be necessary for a complete adjudication of the controversy.

(3) In any such suit, the petition shall be styled:

"In re the Election for (office)"

(4) The petition shall cite:

(a) Each candidate for said office; and

(b) The secretary of state in his official capacity as the chief election officer of the state.

(5) The petition shall contain, but shall not be limited to, the following:

(a) The grounds on which the election is contested;

(b) The allegation that except for substantial irregularities or error, fraud, or other unlawful activities in the conduct of the election, a different candidate would have qualified for the second party primary or a general election or would have been elected.

(6) The petition shall comply with Article 891 of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, except to the extent that the provisions of that Article or the Articles cited therein conflict with the provisions of this Section.

(7) Service of process shall be on the secretary of state, or the commissioner of elections as provided herein, and shall otherwise comply substantially with the provisions of R.S. 18:1408. By filing notice of candidacy a state candidate appoints the secretary of state, or the commissioner of elections as provided herein, as his agent for service of process in any action instituted by the board under provisions of this Section. If the secretary of state is a named candidate in the petition, then the commissioner of elections shall be the agent for service of process for all candidates, and in such case, additionally, a copy of the citation and petition shall be served on the secretary of state in his official capacity as chief election officer of the state.

(8) There shall be no named party defendant; provided however, that for purposes of the provisions of Chapter 9 of Title 18 which are applicable to suits instituted under this Section, the word "party" in this Section shall mean "defendant" in the provisions of said Chapter 9.

(9) Each party in a suit instituted under this Section is considered as being both a plaintiff and a defendant with respect to all other parties. A party is not required to answer the petition, but if he answers, he shall do so prior to trial. No exceptions or responsive pleadings may be filed to the answer of a party, and every fact alleged therein is considered as denied or avoided by effect of law as to all other parties. If a party does not appear on the date set for the trial, either in person or through counsel, such failure to appear precludes him from thereafter filing an answer, and from asserting his claims or defenses in the suit and the court shall not appoint an attorney to represent him pursuant to R.S. 18:1409(A).

(10) Each party may appear and assert his claim or defense as he sees fit.

(11) The court may grant the board injunctive relief prohibiting the parties from instituting or prosecuting in any court of this state or of the United States any other action or proceeding on the matters involved in the suit.

(12) The court may render judgment for costs, or any part thereof, against any party, as it may consider equitable.

C. Whenever the board determines as a result of an investigation or otherwise that a violation of the Election Code has occurred which is subject to criminal penalties, the board shall present all information concerning such alleged violation to the district attorney for the judicial district in which the alleged violation occurred. The district attorney may immediately proceed with such criminal actions or investigations as are justified by the facts presented or available to him. The information presented by the board to the district attorney shall be presented to the attorney general and the governor who shall keep such information strictly confidential, except that the attorney general may proceed with any action permissible within the provisions of Article IV, Section 8 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974.

Acts 1989, No. 45, §1; Acts 2001, No. 451, §1, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2024, No. 640, §1; eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §4, eff. June 20, 2025 .
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:176 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 176
Suspension and cancellation of registration and challenge of unlawful registration on the basis of reports
Status: in_force

A.(1) The registrar shall send a notice to each person listed on a report received pursuant to R.S. 18:171 or 171.1 and to any person the registrar has reason to believe is ineligible to register or vote pursuant to R.S. 18:102(A)(1). The notice shall be mailed first class, postage prepaid, to the address on file at the registrar's office.

(2) The notice shall state that the registrar has information that the registrant is under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony and that the conviction is for an election offense or the registrant has been incarcerated pursuant to the order within the last five years. The notice shall inform the person that he must appear in person at the office of the registrar of voters within twenty-one days after the date on which the notice was mailed to show cause why his registration should not be suspended.

(3)(a) If the registrant appears and shows cause within the twenty-one days, the registrar shall not suspend the registration.

(b) If the registrant fails to appear within the required twenty-one days, the registrar shall suspend the registration in the state voter registration computer system and, if necessary, by drawing in red ink a line through the registrant's name on the precinct register and the duplicate precinct register. Such line shall be initialed by the registrar or employee of the registrar. The registrar shall note in the registrant's information on the state voter registration computer system and, if the original application is available in hard copy in the registrar's office, on the original application for registration that the registrar has been notified of an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony which makes the registrant ineligible to register or vote pursuant to R.S. 18:102(A)(1), and he shall note also the date of the suspension and the date of the report, when applicable. If the original application is available in hard copy in the registrar's office, the registrar shall remove the original application from his file of eligible voters and shall place it in his suspension file. In addition, each person whose registration is suspended under this Subsection shall immediately be notified of the suspension and the reason therefor.

(4) A list of names and addresses of the notices sent under this Subsection and whether or not each registrant responded to such notice shall be maintained for a period of two years and shall be open to inspection and copying as provided in R.S. 18:154.

B. Upon receipt of the report required by R.S. 18:172, the registrar shall suspend the registration of the interdict for the period of interdiction. The registrar shall suspend the registration of each person listed on the report in the state voter registration computer system and, if necessary, by drawing in red ink a line through the name of such person on the precinct register and the duplicate precinct register. Such line shall be initialed by the registrar or employee of the registrar. The registrar shall note in the registrant's information on the state voter registration computer system and, if the original application is available in hard copy in the registrar's office, on the original application for registration that the registrar has been notified of an order of a judgment of interdiction, and he shall note also the date of the suspension and the date of the report. If the original application is available in hard copy in the registrar's office, the registrar shall remove the original application from his file of eligible voters and shall place it in his suspension file. In addition, each person whose registration is suspended under this Subsection shall immediately be notified of the suspension and the reason therefor.

C. Immediately upon receipt of a report required by R.S. 18:173, the registrar shall cancel the registration of each person listed on the report in the state voter registration computer system and, if necessary, by drawing in red ink a line through the name of such person on the precinct register and the duplicate precinct register. Such line shall be initialed by the registrar or employee of the registrar. The registrar shall note in the registrant's information on the state voter registration computer system and, if the original application is available in hard copy in the registrar's office, on the original application for registration that the registrar has received a report of death, and he shall note the date of the cancellation and the date of the report. If the original application is available in hard copy in the registrar's office, the registrar shall remove the original application from his file of eligible voters and shall place it in his cancellation file.

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

E. If the registrar determines that a voter's registration has been suspended or cancelled through error of the registrar, the registrar shall reinstate the voter's registration as though the suspension or cancellation had never occurred and shall notify the registrant of the reinstatement.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 1987, No. 831, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2009, No. 186, §2, eff. June 29, 2009; Acts 2017, No. 176, §5, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2021, No. 127, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 2022.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1511.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1511.3
Filing of reports; forms; notice
Status: in_force

A.(1) All reports required by this Chapter shall be filed with the supervisory committee as otherwise provided in this Chapter on forms provided by the supervisory committee. The supervisory committee shall prepare forms for all reports required by this Chapter in conformity with the requirements of this Chapter and shall cause such forms to be printed and sufficient copies thereof furnished to the clerks of court and in Orleans Parish to the clerk of the criminal district court, who shall make them available to all persons required to file reports under the provisions of this Chapter. All forms shall contain instructions directing the person filing with whom to file reports. It is the intent of the legislature that the supervisory committee shall provide forms in a simple format in conformity with the requirements of this Chapter.

(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 42:1134(A)(1) or the Administrative Procedure Act, all forms required by this Chapter and all instructions and explanation for the completion of such forms prepared by the supervisory committee shall be submitted to the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs and the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs for review and approval. The approval of each legislative committee shall be required prior to the utilization of a form or related instructions or explanation pursuant to this Chapter. Upon receipt of a proposed form, instructions, or explanation, the legislative committees shall meet, either separately or jointly, within sixty days to consider and act on the proposed form, instructions, or explanation. Approval by either legislative committee, meeting separately, shall require a favorable vote of a majority of the members present and voting, a quorum of the legislative committee being present. Approval by the two legislative committees, meeting jointly, shall require a favorable vote of a majority of the members of each legislative committee present and voting, each house voting separately, a quorum of the joint legislative committee being present. If the proposed form, instructions, or explanation fails to receive the approval of both legislative committees within sixty days after submission by the supervisory committee, the proposed form, instructions, or explanation shall be withdrawn from consideration.

B. Repealed by Acts 2025, No. 398, §4, eff. June 20, 2025.

C. The supervisory committee shall take all action necessary to receive and file the reports, statements, documents, and papers filed with them under the provisions of this Chapter. The supervisory committee shall make copies of any report available to the public upon request.

D. The supervisory committee shall retain all reports for three years from the date of filing.

E. The supervisory committee shall notify each person who has qualified for office the preceding year and whose last filed disclosure report reflects a deficit, each person who filed a supplemental report the preceding year which reflected a deficit, and each declared but unqualified candidate who filed a report the previous year, of the date that the annual report as provided in R.S. 18:1491.6(E) and 1495.4(E) is due and of the information required in the report. Each notice shall be mailed or sent by electronic mail at least thirty days prior to the date the report is due; however, failure by the supervisory committee to notify a candidate, committee, or other person as required by this Subsection shall not bar or be a defense to any action brought against a candidate, treasurer or chairman of any committee, or other person by the supervisory committee under the provisions of this Chapter.

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981. Amended by Acts 1982, No. 652, §1. Acts 1984, No. 466, §1; Acts 1990, No. 1088, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 2003, No. 935, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2006, No. 7, §1; Acts 2014, No. 857, §1; Acts 2022, No. 274, §1, eff. June 3, 2022; Acts 2025, No. 398, §4, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1334 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1334
Electioneering in connection with voting in nursing homes; enforcement; penalty
Status: in_force

A. During the period extending from seven days prior to the time that voting begins pursuant to R.S. 18:1333 for an election until the polls have closed on election day, no owner, operator, employee, or agent of such owner, operator, or employee, or any stockholder of any nursing home or candidate or employee of or agent or worker for any candidate shall perform or cause to be performed any of the following acts while on duty or on the premises of the facility:

(1) Solicit in any manner or by any means whatsoever any person residing in a nursing home to vote for or against any candidate or proposition being voted on in the election.

(2) Hand out, place, or display campaign cards, pictures, or other campaign literature of any kind or description in the nursing home.

(3) Place or display political signs, pictures, or other forms of political advertising in the nursing home.

B. The law enforcement officers of the political subdivision in which any such election is to be held shall enforce the provisions of this Section when requested to do so by any person. The law enforcement officers shall seize and remove any political cards, signs, pictures, or literature used or displayed in violation of any provision of this Section.

C. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. For a second offense or any succeeding offense, the penalty shall be a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.

D.(1) The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit a person, who is not an owner, operator, employee, or agent of such owner, operator, or employee, or any stockholder of any nursing home from performing any of the listed acts in a nursing home in which he is a resident. However, such a person shall not erect in or affix to any of the common areas of the nursing home any political signs, pictures, or other forms of political advertising, or display any such political material within the common areas of the nursing home on the day when the registrar of voters conducts absentee voting at the nursing home.

(2) The provisions of this Section shall not prohibit a person who is not an owner, operator, employee, or agent of such owner, operator, or employee, or any stockholder of any nursing home and who at the direction of or with the consent of a resident of a nursing home from placing political signs, pictures, or other forms of political advertising in the resident's private room in the nursing home.

Added by Acts 1983, No. 500, §1; eff. Jan. 1, 1984; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2006, No. 403, §1, eff. June 15, 2006; Acts 2009, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1482 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1482
Statement of purpose
Status: in_force

A. The legislature recognizes that the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of Louisiana protect political speech, especially speech related to elections; that the financing of campaigns facilitates constitutionally protected political speech; that the legislature may regulate the financing of campaigns to prevent the occurrence and appearance of political corruption and to promote transparency; and that the effectiveness of representative government is dependent upon a knowledgeable electorate and the confidence of the electorate in their elected public officials. The legislature, therefore, enacts this Chapter to provide public disclosure of the financing of election campaigns and to regulate certain campaign practices.

B. The legislature further recognizes that the provisions of this Chapter are penal in nature, and that, in the interest of respecting the constitutional rights of free speech and due process, the regulation of campaign finance established in this Chapter shall be interpreted narrowly and strictly and that any ambiguity be interpreted in favor of a person accused of violating any provision of this Chapter, and that no deference shall be afforded in interpretation of this Chapter to any agency enforcing this Chapter, including the supervisory committee.

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1; Acts 2025, No. 398, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:59.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 59.3
Registrar of voters and unclassified employees; increased salary mandated; additional increase authorized
Status: in_force

A. In addition to any salary authorized by law, each registrar of voters and each of his employees in the unclassified service shall receive a salary increase in an amount equal to five percent of his total salary on the effective date of this Section, such increase to be paid by the state.

B. Each parish governing authority is hereby authorized, pursuant to the authority of this Section and of R.S. 18:56, to approve and pay an additional salary increase to the registrar of voters and each of his employees in the unclassified service, such increase to be in an amount equal to five percent of his total salary on the effective date of this Section and to be paid by the parish governing authority.

Acts 1984, No. 685, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1261 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1261
Determination of election results; tie vote; issuance of certificate
Status: in_force

A. The secretary of state shall ascertain from the returns the slate of candidates who received the greatest number of votes cast for presidential electors. If two or more of the slates of candidates having the highest number of votes receive the same number of votes, none of the slates of candidates is elected, and the slate of candidates elected shall be selected by a public drawing of lots conducted by the state board of election supervisors from among the slates of candidates who received such highest number of votes in the 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 for that office 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.

B. The governor shall issue a certificate of election to the persons elected and authorize them to cast the vote of the state for president and vice president.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 588, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.5 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.5
Chairman and vice chairman designated in petition; petition designated as a public record
Status: in_force

A. The recall petition shall designate a 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. The petition shall include the full name, signature, and residence address of the chairman and the vice chairman. The chairman and vice chairman each shall be a qualified voter in the voting area from which the public official whose recall is being sought is elected.

B. Ninety days following the signature of the first elector, the recall petition, including the name, address, and signature of each elector who has signed thereon, becomes a public record. The chairman, or the vice chairman when acting as the chairman, shall be the custodian thereof. The petition and the custodian shall be subject to all of the provisions of R.S. 44:31 et seq.

C. Upon the filing of the petition pursuant to R.S. 18:1300.2(C)(2), the chairman, or the vice chairman when acting as chairman, shall no longer be the custodian thereof.

Acts 1989, No. 727, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 2001, No. 21, §1; Acts 2018, No. 535, §1, eff. May 23, 2018; Acts 2024, No. 550, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:571 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 571
Procedures for commissioners after termination of voting
Status: in_force

A. At the termination of voting in a primary or general election, the commissioners shall announce that voting is terminated. The commissioners in the presence of the watchers shall immediately:

(1) Secure the voting machines against further voting and expose the count on the voting machines, leaving the counter in full view of the watchers.

(2)(a) Cause each voting machine to produce a set of four identical official election results reports.

(b) Examine, sign, and certify each set of official election results reports.

(c) If a voting machine produces a set of official election results reports which is illegible or damaged, notify the parish custodian of voting machines, who shall provide technical assistance in obtaining the election results from such machine.

(3) Close the polls.

(4)(a) Complete in triplicate Certificate No. 2 of the composite certificate designated "Machine Certificates", which shall state (i) that the voting machines were secured against further voting, (ii) the exact time the voting machines were secured against further voting, (iii) the serial number on each voting machine, (iv) the number shown on the public counter of each voting machine, which shall be the total number of voters casting votes on that machine in the election, (v) the number shown on the protective counter of each voting machine, which shall be the total number of times the machine has been voted in its lifetime, (vi) the number of the seal placed on the precinct register by the commissioners, and (vii) whether any visible damage occurred to any voting machine during the election.

(b) Sign the completed machine certificates.

(5) Sign and certify to the correctness of the duplicate poll lists.

(6) Post the printouts from the voting machines at a conspicuous place at the polling place for public viewing.

(7) Complete an affidavit of payroll and nondisclosure. The affidavit shall be prepared by the secretary of state and shall contain the name, address, and last four digits of the social security number of each commissioner and an acknowledgment that the law prohibits disclosure of confidential voter information listed in the precinct register. The affidavit shall be signed by each commissioner and placed in the bag that is delivered to the clerk of court.

(8) Place one copy of the official election results reports, one copy of the machine certificates, one of the duplicate poll lists, all original executed challenges of voters, all precinct register corrections, all voter identification affidavits, all voter assistance forms, any physicians' certificates, any copies of disability documentation, a copy of each completed notation of irregularities form, and any address confirmation notices in the envelope marked "Registrar of Voters", seal it and attach it to the precinct register after the termination of voting, and place a new protective seal on the precinct register.

(9) Seal the official election zero proof report, one copy of the official election results reports, one of the duplicate poll lists, a copy of each completed notation of irregularities form, and a copy of the machine certificates in the envelope marked "Secretary of State's Envelope".

(10)(a) Lock the doors of the voting machines.

(b) Secure the voting machines and election paraphernalia in accordance with the procedures in the informational pamphlet as provided in R.S. 18:553.1.

(11) Place the keys to the voting machines in an envelope, which then shall be sealed and signed by all of the commissioners.

B. The official election zero proof reports and the official election results reports from each voting machine shall be the official election results and shall form a part of the official election returns.

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 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1980, No. 792, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1981, No. 76, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 1981, No. 77, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 1983, No. 519, §1, eff. July 8, 1983; Acts 1985, No. 754, §1; 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 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2006, No. 403, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2007, No. 240, §1; Acts 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 60, §1, eff. May 16, 2014; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2018, No. 584, §3, eff. Jan. 1, 2019; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19, 2019; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1299.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1299.1
Question or proposition to be voted on; length
Status: in_force

A. The preparation of a question or proposition to be submitted to the voters at an election shall be the responsibility of the governing authority or other entity calling the election or submitting the question or proposition. The proposition shall be comprised of simple, unbiased, concise, and easily understood language and be in the form of a question. The proposition shall not exceed two hundred words in length and shall not include words that are struck through, underscored, or in boldface type. The governing authority or other entity shall be responsible for ensuring that the proposition is comprised of simple, unbiased, concise, and easily understood language.

B. The secretary of state shall be responsible for ensuring that the proposition does not exceed two hundred words in length, does not include words that are struck through, underscored, or in boldface type, and is in the form of a question.

Added by 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 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; 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. § 18:1300.15 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.15
Recall proceedings involving governor or Secretary of State
Status: in_force

In all cases where the governor's office is involved in a recall election, the Secretary of State shall issue the proclamation and act in all matters where it is made the duty of the governor to act, and in case the office of Secretary of State is involved, then the governor shall act instead of the Secretary of State.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:427 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 427
Watchers
Status: in_force

A. Qualifications. (1) A qualified voter of the state of Louisiana who is not a candidate in the election may serve as a watcher; however, a watcher who is not a resident of the parish where the watcher serves may not serve as a commissioner.

(2) No person who is required to register as a sex offender or child predator pursuant to R.S. 15:542 may serve as a watcher.

B. Powers and duties. A watcher shall be admitted within all parts of the polling place during the election day and the printing of results from the voting machines, and shall call any infraction of the law to the attention of the commissioners. A watcher may keep notes on the conduct of the election, but he shall not take part in the printing of results from the voting machines. A watcher shall not electioneer, engage in political discussions, or unnecessarily delay a voter at the polling place. A watcher shall be subject to the authority of the commissioners and shall not interfere with the commissioners in the performance of their duties.

C. Number of watchers inside a polling place. If the number of watchers inside a polling place is so great as to interfere with the orderly conduct of the election, the commissioners shall regulate the number of watchers inside the polling place for each precinct so that the election may be conducted in an orderly manner. The watchers shall draw lots under the supervision of the commissioners to determine which watchers shall be the first to wait outside the polling place, but the amount of time each watcher spends inside the polling place shall, as nearly as practicable, be equal.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 1991, No. 201, §1, eff. July 2, 1991; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2022, No. 178, §1, eff. May 31, 2022; Acts 2023, No. 221, §1, eff. June 8, 2023.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 3
Petitions submitted to registrars of voters
Status: in_force

A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, every petition submitted to a registrar of voters for certification shall contain the following information:

(1) The handwritten signature of the voter who is signing the petition; however, if a person is unable to write, the incapacitated person shall affix his mark to the petition and the person circulating the petition shall affix the name of the incapacitated person, provided that he does so in the presence of two witnesses who shall also sign their names as witnesses to the mark.

(2) The month, day, and year that the voter signed the petition.

(3) The signer's year of birth.

(4) The address at which the signer is registered to vote, including municipal number, apartment number, rural route, and box number.

(5) The name of the signer either typed or legibly written.

(6) The printed name of the person who witnessed and who obtained the signature either typed or legibly written.

(7) The month, day, and year on which the person witnessed and obtained the signature.

B. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, the notice of endorsement of a petition to be submitted to the registrar for certification may be made by hand delivery.

C. Whenever the registrar is required to certify signatures on a petition pursuant to any provision of the constitution or laws of this state, the registrar shall not honor the written request of any voter or signatory who either desires to have his signature stricken from the petition or desires to have his signature added to the petition unless such addition or deletion is expressly authorized by law. The chairman or other person responsible for the filing of the petition with the registrar shall file notice with the registrar three days prior to submission of the petition for certification, unless such submission is done within three days prior to the expiration of the period for submission of the petition for certification. Such notice shall be a public record.

D. In determining the number of persons signing the petition who are electors in the voting area for the purpose of certifying the petition, the registrar shall not include any person who has not affixed to the petition his signature and the address at which he is registered to vote, any person whose signature has not been verified by the registrar, or any person whose name does not appear on the registrar's roll of electors. To verify a signature on a petition, the registrar shall compare the handwritten signature on the petition with the signature on the original application card or any subsequent signature in the records of the registrar, including but not limited to precinct registers and affidavits filed pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 18:111(C), or any microfilm, microfiche, or scanned or electronically captured computerized images of such documents. If the signatures are sufficiently alike to identify the person who signed the petition as the person who is the registered voter, the signature shall be verified. The signature of an elector shall include the surname under which the elector is registered to vote. The signature may include the elector's surname, first, and middle name, the initials of his surname, first, and middle name, or any combination thereof as the form in which his name appears on the petition, but shall not designate a title, designation, or deceptive name, nor shall it designate an occupational or professional description or abbreviation. However, the signature of a married woman may include her husband's surname, first, and middle name, the initials of his surname, first, and middle name, or any combination thereof, preceded by the title "Mrs." as the form in which her name appears on the petition, but only if she has registered under her husband's name preceded by the title "Mrs.".

E. The provisions of this Section shall not be applicable to petitions for elections to be held pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 3 of Title 26 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950.

Acts 1986, No. 669, §1; Acts 1988, No. 809, §1; Acts 1995, No. 312, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 1032, §7; Acts 2005, No. 431, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2009, No. 186, §2, eff. June 29, 2009; Acts 2017, No. 176, §1, eff. June 14, 2017; Acts 2018, No. 584, §1, eff. May 28, 2018; Acts 2024, No. 550, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:41 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 41
Louisiana Elections Integrity; administration of Part
Status: in_force

A. The Board of Ethics, hereafter in this Part referred to as the "board", shall administer the provisions of this Part.

B. Board members shall be paid the same per diem as members of the legislature for each day of attendance at board meetings and shall be reimbursed actual expenses incurred in attending board meetings and in conducting board business.

C. 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.

Acts 1989, No. 45, §1; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 64, §11, eff. Jan. 1, 1997.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.2 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.2
Petition for recall election; campaign finance disclosure
Status: in_force

A.(1) Whenever the recall of any public officer is sought, a petition shall be directed to the governor. The petition shall be limited to the request that an election be called and held in the voting area for the purpose of recalling the officer. No recall petition shall seek an election for the recall of more than one public officer, individually, in the same recall petition.

(2) The secretary of state shall provide a form approved by the attorney general to be used for the petition for a recall election. Such form shall include pre-printed line numbers and shall be in conformity with all other provisions of this Chapter and R.S. 18:3. All recall 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.

B.(1) All signatures on recall petitions shall be handwritten.

(2) The petition shall be signed by a percentage of the total number of electors of the voting area wherein and for which a recall election is petitioned as provided in Paragraph (3) of this Subsection.

(3)(a) If fewer than one thousand qualified electors reside within the voting area, the petition shall be signed by at least forty percent of the electors.

(b) If one thousand or more but fewer than twenty-five thousand qualified electors reside within the voting area, the petition shall be signed by at least thirty-three and one-third percent of the electors.

(c) If twenty-five thousand or more but fewer than one hundred thousand qualified electors reside within the voting area, the petition shall be signed by at least twenty-five percent of the electors.

(d) If one hundred thousand or more qualified electors reside within the voting area, the petition shall be signed by at least twenty percent of the electors.

C.(1) Prior to the entering of any signatures on a petition, the chairman designated to represent the petitioners shall file with the secretary of state a copy of the recall petition which will be used and copies of a picture identification that contain the name and signature of the chairman and vice chairman, respectively, or copies of current utility bills, bank statements, government checks, paychecks, or other government documents that show the name and address of the chairman and vice chairman, respectively. Upon receipt of the recall petition, the secretary of state shall provide to the chairman and vice chairman, respectively, a document prepared by the secretary of state in conjunction with the Louisiana Registrars of Voters Association, subject to approval as to content by the attorney general, providing general information on petition requirements and deadlines. Upon receipt of the recall petition, the secretary of state shall endorse thereon the fact and the date of filing, and this unsigned copy of the recall petition shall be a public record. A copy shall be transmitted by the secretary of state to the registrar of voters for each parish in which the recall election is to be held. The chairman shall list on the petition every parish that is wholly or partially within the voting area where the recall election is to be held. The petition shall be considered filed when it is received in the office of the secretary of state. Upon receipt of the recall petition, the secretary of state shall produce a report of the number of qualified electors in the voting area wherein the recall election is sought effective on the date of receipt of the recall petition and shall notify the registrar of voters in each parish in the voting area of the number of qualified electors of the voting area in the parish for issuance of the certification.

(2)(a) The signed and dated petition shall be submitted to the registrar of voters for each parish within the voting area not later than one hundred eighty days after the day on which the copy of the petition was filed with the secretary of state; however, where fewer than one thousand qualified electors reside within the voting area, the petition shall be submitted to the registrar of voters not later than ninety days after the day on which the copy of the petition is filed with the secretary of state. 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. Upon receipt of the signed and dated petition, the registrar of voters shall affix the date received and a page number to the front of each page of the petition.

(b) With the recall petition, the chairman shall also submit to the registrar of voters an affidavit verifying the number of signatures submitted along with a statement that to the best of his knowledge all documents submitted are originals and not photocopies.

(3)(a) The chairman shall file notice with the registrar on the third day before the petition is submitted to the registrar 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 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 registrar shall so inform the chairman and advise the chairman of the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or other legal holiday and on which the petition is to be submitted.

(b) The chairman shall provide written notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the public officer whose recall is sought on the third day before the petition is submitted to the registrar.

D. Each elector, at the time of signing the petition, shall enter his address and the date on which the elector signed beside or underneath his signature; however, if a person is unable to write, as provided in R.S. 18:1300.4, the two witnesses shall date their signatures. In addition, each petition shall be in compliance with the provisions of R.S. 18:3. In determining the number of qualified electors who signed the petition in any parish, the registrar of voters shall not count any signature which does not comply with all of the requirements of R.S. 18:3 or bears a date prior to the date on which the copy of the petition initially was filed with the secretary of state or after the date of the submission of the petition to the registrar except as otherwise provided in R.S. 18:1300.3(B). The registrar shall not receive or certify a petition submitted to him for certification unless it is submitted to him timely.

E. The secretary of state shall notify the Supervisory Committee on Campaign Finance Disclosure of the filing of a copy of a recall petition to be used to seek the recall of a public officer, including the date of such filing, the officer who is the subject of the petition, and the names and addresses of the chairman and vice chairman designated on the petition. The Campaign Finance Disclosure Act shall be applicable to persons supporting or opposing the recall of a public officer as provided in R.S. 18:1486.

Acts 1968, No. 590, §1; Acts 1977, No. 473, §1; Acts 1979, No. 148, §1; Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 1985, No. 754, §1; Acts 1986, No. 669, §1; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1995, No. 555, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1995, No. 1046, §1, eff. June 29, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 1032, §7; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2010, No. 621, §1; Acts 2018, No. 257, §1, eff. May 15, 2018; Acts 2018, No. 535, §1, eff. May 23, 2018; Acts 2022, No. 274, §1, eff. June 3, 2022; Acts 2024, No. 550, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1483 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1483
Definitions
Status: in_force

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

(1) "Affiliated organization" means any organization which is not a committee but which directly or indirectly establishes, administers, or financially supports a committee.

(2) "Aggregating period" means:

(a) For a committee, except a committee which supports only one candidate, the period from January first of the calendar year through December thirty-first of the same calendar year.

(b) For a candidate, the period from the date on which he became a candidate as defined herein through the closing date for the current report.

(c) For a committee which supports only one candidate, the period from the time when the committee first participates in the election through the closing date for the current report.

(3)(a) "Candidate" means a person who seeks nomination or election to public office, except the office of president or vice president of the United States, presidential elector, delegate to a political party convention, United States senator, United States congressman, or political party office. An individual shall be deemed to seek nomination or election to such office if the individual has:

(i) Since prior participation in an election, if any, received and accepted a contribution or made an expenditure, or has given his consent for any other person or committee to receive a contribution or make an expenditure with a view to influencing his nomination or election to office whether or not the specific public office for which he will be a candidate is known at the time the contribution is received or the expenditure is made, or

(ii) Taken the action necessary under the laws of the state of Louisiana to qualify himself for nomination or election to public office.

(iii) Been selected as a party nominee in accordance with R.S. 18:410.6.

(b) Notwithstanding any provision of R.S. 42:1101 et seq. and specifically notwithstanding any provision of R.S. 42:1115, for purposes of R.S. 42:1123(5) a "candidate" shall mean a "candidate" as defined in this Paragraph and shall also mean any public servant required to file reports under the provisions of this Chapter.

(4) "Chairman" means the principal executive officer of a committee regardless of his title.

(5) "Closing date" means the date through which the report is complete.

(6)(a) "Committee" means any legal entity, including an association or political party, or other group of two or more persons, other than a husband and wife, which receives or anticipates receiving contributions and makes or anticipates making expenditures, and has the primary purpose of making contributions to or expenditures to or on behalf of any state or local elected official, candidate, campaign, or other committee. An entity shall not be a committee if the entity makes expenditures for the purpose of supporting or opposing candidates or recalls using only the entity's general revenues and does not receive contributions for the purpose of supporting or opposing candidates or recalls. "Committee" includes any independent expenditure-only committee, leadership committee, political committee, or principal campaign committee, or subsidiary committee thereof.

(b) An entity that during a reporting period has supported candidates in states other than Louisiana; has received less than fifty percent of its total receipts for the applicable reporting period from Louisiana candidates or committees formed to support Louisiana candidates; and has expended less than fifty percent, but not more than fifty thousand dollars, of its total disbursements for the applicable reporting period in support of or in opposition to Louisiana candidates shall not constitute a "committee" for purposes of requirements of R.S. 18:1491.1 through 1491.9 which would require such an entity to keep records and submit reports.

(7)(a) "Contribution", except as otherwise provided in this Chapter, means a gift, conveyance, payment, or deposit of money or anything of value, or the forgiveness of a loan or of a debt made to any of the following:

(i) A committee.

(ii) A candidate for the purpose of supporting, opposing, or otherwise influencing the nomination or election of the candidate to public office, whether made before or after the election.

(iii) Any person for the purpose of funding an expenditure to influence the nomination or election of a person to public office, whether made before or after the election.

(iv) Any person for the purpose of funding an expenditure to support or oppose a proposition or question submitted to the voters.

(v) Any person for the purpose of funding an expenditure to influence the recall of a public officer, whether made before or after the election.

(b) "Contribution" shall also include, without limitation:

(i) Contributions in-kind made for any of the purposes stated in this Paragraph, having an attributable monetary value in excess of fifty dollars. Contributions in-kind shall include without limitation: the donation by any person, other than a candidate or a political committee, of the services of paid employees, the value of which services exceeds fifty dollars, such value to be the amount paid for such services; the donation of, or the donation of the right to use, any item of tangible property when the same is used or consumed and not exchanged or converted to cash or the equivalent of cash and when the accepting candidate, the chairman of the accepting political committee, or accepting person required to file reports under this Chapter and the treasurer of such recipient, if any, determines that its value or the use value, when only the right of use is given, exceeds fifty dollars and such determination shall be prima facie evidence of the correctness of the valuation of the item or of the use value when applicable. In addition, successive donations made by the same person, which donations individually are valued below fifty dollars but which together exceed such amount, shall be deemed to be in-kind contributions and shall be aggregated for purposes of the requirements of this Chapter.

(ii) Coordinated expenditures made for the purpose of supporting, opposing, or otherwise influencing the nomination or election of the candidate and shall be considered to be a contribution to such candidate.

(iii) A promissory note or written contract to make a contribution as defined above.

(iv) A payment to purchase campaign paraphernalia other than expenditures made by a candidate or political committee to purchase its own paraphernalia.

(v) A payment for tickets to a testimonial or similar fundraising event.

(c) "Contribution" shall not include:

(i) Personal services provided voluntarily by any person without compensation or by any person who is employed for purposes other than solely campaign purposes by the reporting candidate, by a partnership of which he is a member, or by a corporation of which he owns a majority of the stock.

(ii) Any dues or membership fees of any membership organization or corporation made by its members or stockholders, if such membership organization or corporation is not organized primarily for the purpose of supporting, opposing or otherwise influencing the nomination for election, or election, of any person to public office. However, any funds of such an organization or corporation used for the purpose of contributions to candidates or committees or to publicly advocate support or defeat of a candidate or for expenditures as defined in this Chapter shall be reportable and all contributions made by such membership organization or corporation which are otherwise reportable under the provisions of this Chapter shall be reported.

(iii) A transfer of funds between political committees.

(iv) A loan.

(d) A contribution of anything of value other than money or an in-kind contribution shall be considered for all purposes of this Chapter as a contribution of money in the amount of the fair market value thereof.

(8) "Coordinated expenditure" means an expenditure made by any person in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, his principal campaign committee or a subsidiary committee thereof, or their agents for the purpose of supporting, opposing, or otherwise influencing the nomination or election of the candidate.

(9) "District office" means the following offices but shall not include any major office:

(a) The office of a member of the Louisiana Legislature.

(b) All public offices elected parishwide.

(c) All public offices elected in more than one parish.

(d) All public offices elected in any election district containing a population in excess of thirty-five thousand as determined by the most recently published decennial federal census. All public offices elected in any city or parish election in a parish containing a municipality with a population of three hundred thousand or more as determined by the most recent decennial federal census. All elected public offices to a board or governing authority which has, within its jurisdiction, a municipality with a population of two hundred twenty-five thousand or more as determined by the most recent decennial federal census.

(e) The offices of district court judge, except in a judicial district comprised of a single parish with a population in excess of four hundred fifty thousand persons as determined by the most recently published decennial federal census where the election district is parishwide, family court judge, juvenile court judge, city court judge, city court marshal, and city court constable, as long as these offices are elective offices.

(10) "Election" means any party primary, primary, general, special, or other election held, pursuant to the laws of this state or a parish or municipal charter or ordinance or a court order, to choose a public officer or nominee. For purposes of the reporting requirements for the support or opposition of a proposition or question submitted to the voters, "election" shall also mean any primary, general, or special election, except local option elections held pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 3 of Title 26 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, at which a proposition or question is submitted to the voters in accordance with Chapters 6-A, 6-B, and 6-C of this Code.

(11)(a) "Expenditure" means a purchase, payment, advance, deposit, or gift, of money or anything of value made for a purpose provided for in R.S. 18:1501.1(A) or 1505.2(I).

(b) "Expenditure" shall also include:

(i) A promissory note or written contract to make an expenditure as defined above.

(ii) Expenditures in-kind which have an attributable monetary value in excess of fifty dollars, made for any of the purposes stated in this Paragraph. Expenditures in-kind shall include without limitation: the donation by any person, candidate, or committee of the services of paid employees, the value of which services exceeds fifty dollars, such value to be the amount paid for such services; the donation of, or the donation of the right to use, any item of tangible property when the same is used or consumed and not exchanged or converted to cash or the equivalent of cash and when the donating candidate, the chairman of the donating committee, or the donating person required to file reports under this Chapter, and the campaign treasurer of such donor, if any, determines that its value or the use value, when only the right to use is given, exceeds fifty dollars and such determination shall be prima facie evidence of the correctness of the valuation of the item or the use value when applicable. In addition, successive donations made to the same person, which donations individually are valued below fifty dollars but which together exceed such amount, shall be deemed to be in-kind expenditures and shall be aggregated for purposes of the requirements of this Chapter.

(c) Expenditures made by a public relations firm, an advertising agency, or agent for a candidate, committee, or other person required to file reports under this Chapter shall be considered expenditures of the candidate, committee, or such other person, and must be specifically reported as required by this Chapter. Each such firm, agency, or agent, which makes any expenditure for any candidate, committee, or other person required to file reports under this Chapter, shall timely furnish to such candidate, committee, or person such information relative thereto as may be required for compliance with this Chapter.

(d) "Expenditure" shall not include:

(i) Personal services provided voluntarily by any person without compensation or by any person who is employed for purposes other than solely campaign purposes by the reporting candidate, by a partnership of which he is a member, or by a corporation of which he owns a majority of the stock.

(ii) Any communication by any membership organization or business entity to its employees, members, directors, or stockholders, or their family members, if such membership organization or business entity is not organized primarily for the purpose of supporting, opposing, or otherwise influencing the nomination for election, or election, of any person to public office or for the purpose of supporting or opposing a proposition or question to be submitted to the voters. All other expenditures made by such membership organization or business entity which are otherwise reportable under the provisions of this Chapter shall be reported. For purposes of this definition, business entity means any proprietorship, partnership, corporation, or other legal entity, including their subsidiaries.

(iii) A transfer of funds between committees.

(iv) A loan.

(v) Any communication disseminated by a church unless the communication is of express advocacy for or against a specific candidate. Nothing in this Chapter shall require a church to disclose the identities, donations, or contributions of members of the church. For purposes of this Item, "church" means an organization considered a church by the Internal Revenue Service for federal tax purposes.

(e) An expenditure of anything of value other than money or an in-kind expenditure shall be considered for all purposes of this Chapter as an expenditure of money in the amount of the fair market value thereof.

(12) "Express advocacy" means communications containing express words of advocacy of election, recall, or defeat, including but not limited to "vote for", "elect", "support", "cast your ballot for", "vote against", "recall", "defeat", or "reject" or the name of a candidate in combination with the office the candidate is seeking.

(13)(a) "Independent expenditure-only committee" means a committee registered with the supervisory committee which makes independent expenditures, makes no political contributions to any candidate for any elected office in this state or any of its subdivisions, or such candidate's principal campaign committee or a subsidiary committee thereof, and makes no coordinated expenditures with a candidate or such candidate's principal campaign committee or a subsidiary committee thereof.

(b) "Independent expenditure" means an expenditure for express advocacy for the election or defeat of a clearly identified or identifiable, qualified candidate for public office, including supporting or opposing the candidates of a political party, and that is not made in cooperation, consultation, or concert with, or at the request or suggestion of, a candidate, a candidate's principal campaign committee or a subsidiary committee thereof, or their agents, or a political party committee or its agents.

(14) "Intentional criminal violation" means conduct which establishes that a violator was in the state of mind which exists when the circumstances indicated that the offender actively desired the prescribed criminal consequences to follow his act or failure to act.

(15) "Joint fundraising agreement" means a written agreement between committees or other organizations to engage in joint fundraising efforts, proportionately share expenses of the joint fundraising, and distribute proceeds according to an allotment schedule in accordance with R.S. 18:1491.9.

(16) "Leadership committee" means a committee registered with the supervisory committee which is designated by an elected official, but which is not the principal campaign committee of the elected official and does not make expenditures in support of the candidacy of the elected official or in opposition to any opponent of the elected official and that makes expenditures only as authorized by R.S. 18:1505.2(I)(1)(a) and (c).

(17) "Loan" means a transfer of money, property, or anything of value in exchange for an obligation to repay in whole or in part, made for any purpose provided for in R.S. 18:1501.1(A) or 1505.2(I), whether made before or after the election.

(18) "Major office" means the following offices: governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general, state treasurer, commissioner of agriculture, commissioner of insurance, the superintendent of education, public service commissioner, justice of the supreme court, court of appeal judge, district court judge in a judicial district comprised of a single parish with a population in excess of four hundred fifty thousand persons as determined by the most recently published decennial federal census where the election district is parishwide, as long as these offices are elective offices, and any candidate for office with an election district containing a population in excess of two hundred fifty thousand persons as determined by either the most recently published decennial federal census or the annual American Community Survey data, whichever is most recent.

(19) "Nonparty primary candidate" means a candidate for a party primary office who qualified for the general election for a party primary office in the manner provided by R.S. 18:410.8.

(20) "Paraphernalia" means campaign pins, buttons, badges, flags, emblems, hats, shirts, banners, literature, and similar items.

(21) "Participation" or "participating" in an election means the following:

(a) With regard to a candidate, that the candidate was opposed by another candidate in the election; however, any person who is a candidate as defined in this Chapter shall be deemed to participate in the primary election whether or not the candidate has failed to qualify for office after becoming a candidate, has withdrawn from the election, or is unopposed therefor. Any candidate who withdraws from a general election subsequent to a party primary election or the primary election and prior to the general election who would have been qualified to appear on the general election ballot shall be deemed to participate in the general election, as shall the person who would have been opposed by the one withdrawing. Any candidate who withdraws after a party primary election and prior to the second party primary election who would have been qualified to appear on the second party primary election ballot shall be deemed to participate in the second party primary election, as shall the person who would have been opposed by the candidate withdrawing.

(b) With regard to a political committee, that the committee:

(i) With regard to the primary election, gave or received a contribution prior to the primary election from, to, or for a candidate participating in that primary election, made an expenditure in support of or in opposition to a candidate participating in that primary election, made a loan to or received a loan from a candidate or committee participating in that primary election, or made a transfer of funds to or from another committee participating in that primary election.

(ii) With regard to the party primary election, gave or received a contribution prior to the party primary election from, to, or for a candidate participating in the party primary election, made an expenditure in support of or in opposition to a candidate participating in the party primary election, made a loan to or received a loan from a candidate or committee participating in the party primary election, or made a transfer of funds to or from another committee participating in the party primary election.

(iii) With regard to the second party primary election, gave or received a contribution subsequent to the first party primary election and prior to the second party primary election from, to, or for a candidate participating in the second party primary election, made an expenditure in support of or in opposition to a candidate participating in the second party primary election, made a loan to or received a loan from a candidate or committee participating in the second party primary election, or made a transfer of funds to or from another committee participating in the second party primary election.

(iv) With regard to the general election, that the committee gave or received a contribution subsequent to the primary election from, to, or for a candidate participating in the general election, made an expenditure in support of or in opposition to a candidate participating in the general election, made a loan to or received a loan from a candidate or committee participating in that general election, or made a transfer of funds to or from another committee participating in the general election.

(c) A candidate or committee which participates in a party primary election, primary election, or the general election shall be deemed to participate in the election.

(d) With regard to a person who solicits or receives any contribution or makes any expenditure in support of or in opposition to a proposition or question submitted to the voters, that said person solicited or received a contribution or made an expenditure of five hundred dollars or more.

(22) "Person" means any individual, partnership, limited liability company or corporation, association, labor union, committee, corporation, or other legal entity, including their subsidiaries.

(23) "Personal use" means any use of funds of a candidate, principal campaign committee or subsidiary committee thereof, or leadership committee to fulfill a commitment, obligation, or expense that primarily furthers the purposes of the candidate or elected official or his immediate family member not connected to the conduct of a campaign by a candidate or the holding of office and that would exist irrespective of the candidate's campaign or the holding of office.

(24)(a)(i) "Political committee" means a committee organized for the primary purpose of making expenditures supporting or opposing one or more candidates, propositions, recalls of a public officer, or political parties, which accepts contributions in the name of the political committee, or makes expenditures from political committee funds or in the name of the political committee, or makes a transfer of funds to or receives a transfer of funds from another committee, or receives or makes loans in an aggregate amount in excess of one thousand dollars within any calendar year.

(ii) "Political committee" shall also include a committee which supports or opposes one or more candidates, propositions, recalls of a public officer, or political parties, and which accepts direct payments for personal services related to an election or a campaign in the name of the political committee in an aggregate amount in excess of one thousand dollars within any calendar year. Except that an entity that holds a license or permit duly issued by the appropriate governmental entity to provide the personal services provided, regularly does business in the state, and regularly has done business in the state for at least ninety days prior to the date the personal services are provided and the personal services provided are the same as the personal services regularly provided by the business in the normal and usual scope of its usual business activities shall not constitute a "political committee" for purposes of the requirements of R.S. 18:1491.1 through 1491.9 which would require such an entity to keep records and submit reports.

(iii) Any state central committee, parish executive committee, and any other committee of any political party which receives contributions or makes expenditures in an aggregate amount in excess of two thousand five hundred dollars within any calendar year shall be considered a "political committee" for the purposes of this Chapter.

(b) A principal campaign committee or subsidiary committee thereof, leadership committee, or independent expenditure-only committee shall not be considered a "political committee".

(c) Repealed by Acts 2008, No. 821, §2, eff. July 8, 2008.

(25) "Primary election" means any type of primary election, including a party primary election and a second party primary election.

(26) "Primary purpose" means the purpose of making contributions or expenditures that constitute the preponderance of the association, political party, or group's spending during a calendar year.

(27) "Principal campaign committee" means a committee designated by a candidate pursuant to R.S. 18:1491.3(A) or a committee which has designated subsidiary committee(s).

(28) "Public office" means any state, parish, municipal, ward, district, or other office or position that is filled by election of the voters, except those specifically excepted in Paragraph (3) of this Section.

(29) "Reporting period" shall mean those periods established by R.S. 18:1491.6(G) and R.S. 18:1495.4(G).

(30) "Subsidiary committee" means a committee other than a principal campaign committee, designated by a candidate or by a principal campaign committee pursuant to R.S. 18:1491.3(B) or (C) to receive contributions or make expenditures on behalf of the candidate or the principal campaign committee.

(31) "Supervisory committee" means the Board of Ethics established in R.S. 42:1132 when functioning as the Supervisory Committee on Campaign Finance Disclosure, as provided in R.S. 18:1511.1, to enforce the provisions of this Chapter.

(32) "Transfer of funds" means any money, regardless of amount, received by a committee from another committee or money given by a committee to another committee for any purpose provided for in R.S. 18:1505.2(I).

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1981, No. 59, §1, eff. June 17, 1981; Acts 1982, No. 266, §1, eff. July 18, 1982; Acts 1984, No. 492, §1; Acts 1986, No. 669, §1; Acts 1987, No. 722, §1, eff. July 16, 1987; Acts 1987, No. 831, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 994, §§1, 3, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1990, No. 180, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1991, No. 252, §1, eff. July 2, 1991; Acts 1995, No. 1046, §1, eff. June 29, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 644, §1; Acts 1999, No. 1077, §1; Acts 2000, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 98, §1; Acts 2001, No. 292, §1; Acts 2001, No. 297, §1; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2003, No. 1045, §1; Acts 2004, No. 515, §1, eff. June 25, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 528, §1, eff. June 25, 2004; Acts 2004, No. 862, §1, eff. July 12, 2004; Acts 2008, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 26, §1, eff. April 26, 2008; Acts 2008, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 27, §1, eff. March 30, 2008; Acts 2008, No. 821, §§1, 2, eff. July 8, 2008; H.C.R. No. 14, 2008 R.S; Acts 2011, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 32, §1; Acts 2022, No. 135, §1; Acts 2024, No. 136, §1; Acts 2024, No. 640, §1, eff. See Act; Acts 2024, No. 664, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2025; Acts 2025, No. 386, §4, eff. June 20, 2025 ; Acts 2025, No. 398, §1, eff. June 20, 2025, §2, eff. See Act.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1300.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1300.3
Certification of registrar of voters; addition or withdrawal of signatures; designation as a public record; form of names
Status: in_force

A.(1)(a) The registrar of voters of each parish in the voting area wherein a recall election is sought shall certify on the recall petition the number of names appearing thereon, the number of qualified electors of the voting area within the parish whose handwritten signatures appear on the petition, and also the total number of electors of the voting area within the parish as of the date of the filing of the petition with the secretary of state. Each registrar shall indicate on the petition the names appearing thereon who are not electors of the voting area. Each person who participates in the review of the names on the petition for certification by the registrar as required in this Section shall initial each of those portions of the petition which the person reviews for certification by the registrar.

(b) The registrar of voters for each parish in the voting area may request and accept the assistance of employees of the Department of State and registrars and deputy registrars of voters from other parishes to complete the certification of the recall petition. Each person offering such assistance shall be considered a deputy registrar of the requesting parish registrar for that purpose only.

(2)(a) The registrar of voters shall complete the certification of the recall petition within twenty working days after it is presented to him for that purpose. However, if any parish wholly or partially within the voting area has more than fifty thousand registered voters, the registrar of voters for each parish within the voting area shall complete such certification within thirty working days after it is presented to him for that purpose.

(b) If the petition certification deadline occurs during the time period commencing forty-five days before a primary election and ending on the date of the corresponding general election, the registrar of voters for each parish in the voting area is hereby granted an additional ten working days to complete the certification or an additional twenty working days for any parish wholly or partially within the voting area that has more than fifty thousand registered voters. If the final day for the registrar to certify the recall petition falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, then the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday shall be deemed to be the final day for certifying the recall petition.

B.(1) The registrar of voters shall honor the written request of any voter who either desires to have his handwritten signature stricken from the petition or desires to have his handwritten signature added to the petition at any time after receipt of the signed petition as provided in R.S. 18:1300.2(C) but prior to certification of the petition or within five days after receipt of such signed petition, whichever is earlier. If the deadline for removing or adding a signature to the petition falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, then the next day which is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday shall be deemed to be the deadline for removing or adding a signature to the petition. The written request of the voter shall include the name and address of the voter, the signature of the voter, the date of birth of the voter, and the date.

(2) The voter or any other person designated by the voter shall transmit the written request to the registrar of voters for each parish within the voting area by mail or directly by hand, immediately upon signature of the voter or upon receipt of the signed, written request.

(3) The written request of a voter to have his signature stricken from or added to the recall petition shall be a public record at the time that the recall petition becomes public record.

C.(1) When there is no registrar of voters, or deputy registrar of voters in any parish, or in case of the absence or inability of that officer, the clerk of the district court of the parish shall execute the certificate.

(2) Immediately after the recall petition is certified, a copy of the petition shall be made and the original recall petition shall be sent to the governor by the officer executing the certificate. Such copy shall be retained in the office of the registrar of voters in each parish affected by the petition and shall be a public record.

(3) On the date the recall petition is sent to the governor, the registrar of voters or person who executes the certificate as provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall provide written notice of the certification to the public officer whose recall is sought. The written notice required by this Paragraph shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the registration address of the public officer.

D. When any officer designated in this Chapter refuses to execute the certificates provided for, any signer of a recall petition, or the chairman or vice chairman designated to represent the signers, may compel the execution of the certificates by summary process in the district court having jurisdiction over the officer.

E. The registrar of voters shall comply with the provisions of R.S. 18:3 when determining the number of qualified electors of the voting area who signed the petition.

Acts 1952, No. 127, §16; Acts 1975, No. 338, §1; Acts 1977, No. 473, §1; Acts 1980, No. 247, §1; Acts 1982, No. 166, §1, eff. July 14, 1982. Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 1985, No. 754, §1; Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1992, No. 949, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 555, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 2001, No. 1032, §7; Acts 2003, No. 1220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2010, No. 621, §1; Acts 2014, No. 60, §1, eff. May 16, 2014; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023; Acts 2024, No. 550, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.

NOTE: See Acts 2001, No. 1032, §17.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:532.1 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 532.1
Changing boundaries
Status: in_force

A. The parish governing authority shall have authority, in accordance with this Section, to change the configuration, boundaries, or designation of an election precinct. Any change so determined shall be adopted by ordinance of the parish governing authority. Within fifteen days after adoption of the ordinance, the parish governing authority shall send to the secretary of state a certified copy of the ordinance, a geospacial shape file, if available, a printed copy of the map showing the new precinct boundaries and designations and a correct, written legal description of such boundaries. The parish governing authority shall comply with the provisions of R.S. 18:1941 when changing precinct boundaries.

B.(1) A parish governing authority shall change a precinct only by dividing the precinct into two or more precincts except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection.

(2)(a) When in order to make it more convenient for voters to vote, to facilitate the administration of the election process, or to comply with the provisions of R.S. 18:532(B)(1) or (4), it becomes necessary to merge all or part of a precinct with adjacent precincts, a part or parts may be merged but only when the parts that are joined are in the same legislative, Public Service Commission, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, state, federal, and local governing authority voting district as such districts have been redistricted subsequent to the release of the latest federal decennial census. However, no precinct shall be merged unless the local governing authorities and the parish, city, or other local public school boards within the area affected by the merger have completed redistricting and, if required, received preclearance pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

(b) In order to establish block boundaries for a subsequent federal decennial census, proposed precinct mergers submitted for review through December thirty-first of any year of which the last digit is nine in accordance with Subsection C of this Section, shall not be subject to the requirement that the precincts or parts of the precincts shall be in the same state, local, and municipal office voting district and shall not be subject to the provisions of Paragraph (C)(3) of this Section; however, any mergers accomplished pursuant to the provisions of this Subparagraph shall be effective for the following purposes at the following times:

(i) Not later than March thirty-first of any year of which the last digit is zero for the purpose of establishing block boundaries for the federal decennial census and for reapportionment and redistricting purposes following that federal decennial census.

(ii) Not later than July first of any year of which the last digit is one for all purposes.

(3) Any establishment, division, or merger of precincts as provided in Paragraphs (1) and (2) of this Subsection shall be considered a change in precinct boundaries and shall be subject to the requirements of this Section.

C.(1) The parish governing authority shall comply with the provisions of R.S. 18:532(A), (B), (C), and (E) when changing any precinct boundary.

(2)(a) In determining features to be used as precinct boundaries, the parish governing authority shall consult with the secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives or their designees. The parish governing authority shall submit proposed changes in precinct boundaries to the secretary and the clerk or their designees on United States Bureau of the Census maps prepared for the next federal decennial census and, where practicable, by electronic medium. No change in a precinct boundary may be made by the parish governing authority without prior review and approval by the secretary and the clerk or their designees, except as provided in this Paragraph. Such review shall consist of a determination whether the proposed precinct change coincides with a visible feature depicted on a base map that will be used by the United States Bureau of the Census to determine visible tabulation boundaries for the federal decennial census.

(b) The secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives or their designees shall send a report of the findings resulting from the review to the parish governing authority within forty-five days after the receipt of the proposed precinct changes. If the secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives or their designees fail to respond within forty-five days after the receipt of the proposed precinct changes, the proposed visible feature for precinct boundaries shall be deemed to be approved by the secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives or their designees.

(3)(a) In addition to the requirements of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, when the proposed precinct change involves a merger authorized by Paragraph (B)(2) or Subparagraph (D)(1)(b) of this Section, prior to adoption by ordinance, the parish governing authority shall submit proposed changes of the merger to the secretary of state. No change in a precinct merger may be made by the parish governing authority without prior review and approval by the secretary of state, except as provided in this Paragraph. Such review shall consist of either a determination that the proposed merger of the precincts establishes a precinct or precincts where all parts of each proposed new precinct are in the same state, local, and municipal office voting district or a determination that the voting machine is capable of accommodating all elections that will occur in the precinct if the proposed merger occurs and the proposed merger will not cause voter inconvenience.

(b) The secretary of state shall send a report of the findings resulting from the review to the parish governing authority within forty-five days after the receipt of the proposed precinct changes. If the secretary of state fails to respond within forty-five days after the receipt of the proposed precinct mergers, the proposed mergers shall be deemed to be approved by the secretary of state. No precinct shall be merged until all local governing authorities and the parish or city school board within the area affected by the merger have completed redistricting and, if required, such redistricting has been precleared pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

(4) In addition to the requirements of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, when the proposed precinct change involves dividing a precinct, prior to the adoption of the ordinance, the parish governing authority shall submit proposed changes to the clerk of court and registrar of voters to confirm the ability to conduct an election utilizing the proposed boundaries.

(5) No precinct boundary change shall become effective for the election unless the information required in this Subsection is received by the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. at least four weeks prior to the date the qualifying period opens.

D.(1)(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no election precinct shall be created, divided, abolished, or merged or the boundaries thereof otherwise changed between December thirty-first of any year of which the last digit is nine and January first of any year of which the last digit is three.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph to the contrary, if the legislature has completed the reapportionment required by Article III, Section 6 of the Constitution of Louisiana following the latest federal decennial census and, if required, has received preclearance pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the parish governing authority may merge precincts upon the parish governing authority's certifying in writing to the office of the secretary of state that the parish governing authority and all school boards within the parish have completed all redistricting that is required following the latest federal decennial census, if required, have received preclearance pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and have received written approval to merge the precincts from the office of the secretary of state.

(i) A certified copy of the ordinance describing such precinct mergers, a correct, written legal description of proposed new precinct boundaries, geospacial shape files, if available, and a printed copy of a map clearly detailing the precinct boundaries within the parish shall be sent to the secretary of the Senate, the clerk of the House of Representatives, the secretary of state, the clerk of court, and the registrar of voters of the parish within fifteen days after the adoption of the ordinance.

(ii) No precinct merger shall become effective without prior review and approval by the secretary of state, the secretary of the Senate, and the clerk of the House of Representatives, or their designees. The secretary of state, the secretary of the Senate, and the clerk of the House of Representatives, or their designees shall send a report of the findings of the review to the parish governing authority within forty-five days after receipt of the proposed precinct changes. If the secretary of state, the secretary of the Senate, or the clerk of the House of Representatives, or their designees fail to respond within forty-five days after receipt of the proposed precinct changes, the proposed precinct changes shall be deemed to be approved by the official or designee who failed to respond.

(2)(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection to the contrary, if after the release of the federal decennial census data a parish governing authority is unable to comply with applicable law regarding redistricting and reapportionment, including adherence to traditional redistricting principles, in the creation of its redistricting or reapportionment plan using the whole precincts submitted to the United States Bureau of the Census, the parish governing authority may divide a precinct into two or more precincts; any such division shall be by a visible feature which is a census tabulation boundary. Upon dividing a precinct, the parish governing authority shall notify the secretary of state of such precinct division in writing.

(b) Any such parish governing authority shall include the precinct changes in its ordinance establishing its redistricting or reapportionment plan.

(c) Within fifteen days after the adoption of the ordinance, the parish governing authority shall send to the secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives a certified copy of the ordinance and a copy of a map showing the new precinct boundaries together with a written description of such boundaries. If the precinct changes were the result of action in a court of competent jurisdiction, the parish governing authority shall include a certified copy of the court order, and the secretary and the clerk shall likewise be notified of appeals filed or other actions that pertain to any such order or ordinance.

(d) The provisions of this Paragraph shall not be construed as authority for a parish governing authority which has adopted or accomplished redistricting or reapportionment or is able to redistrict or reapportion itself in accordance with applicable law using the whole precincts submitted to the United States Bureau of the Census to divide precincts. Any plan adopted by a parish governing authority in contravention of this Subsection shall be null and void, and no election shall be conducted using any ballot based on such a null and void plan. Any declaration of nullity of a plan pursuant to this Paragraph shall be by a court of competent jurisdiction. In the event a plan is declared null, such declaration shall not affect the validity or legality of any actions taken by, ordinances or regulations adopted by, or contracts entered into by the governing authority elected pursuant to the null plan.

E.(1) A precinct shall not be changed, and no precinct shall be established or altered in any way, including alphabetical division by voter surname, and no annexation shall be implemented during the period commencing on the tenth business day prior to the date the qualifying period opens and ending on the date of the general election.

(2) No precinct change or annexation that is made prior to the tenth business day prior to the date the qualifying period opens shall become effective for the election unless the information required in Subsection A of this Section, including notice of preclearance if required pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, is received by the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the tenth business day prior to the date the qualifying period opens.

F. Within fifteen days after the adoption of the ordinance as provided in this Section, the parish governing authority shall send to the secretary of the Senate and the clerk of the House of Representatives, the secretary of state, the clerk of court, and the registrar of voters a certified copy of the ordinance, geospacial shape files, if available, and a printed copy of a map showing the new precinct boundaries and a correct, written legal description of such boundaries.

G, H. Repealed by Acts 2008, No. 136, §3, eff. June 6, 2008.

Added by Acts 1982, No. 559, §1, eff. July 22, 1982; Acts 1985, No. 670, §1, eff. July 16, 1985; Acts 1986, No. 286, §1, eff. June 30, 1986; Acts 1987, No. 831, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1988; Acts 1988, No. 329, §1; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1990, No. 288, §1, eff. July 5, 1990; Acts 1990, No. 629, §§1 and 2; Acts 1992, No. 803, §1; Acts 1993, No. 418, §§1 and 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 1995, No. 552, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1996; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §§2, 3, eff. July 1, 1997; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 1999, No. 254, §2, eff. July 1, 1999; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 123, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2003, No. 1022, §1; Acts 2004, No. 526, §2, eff. June 25, 2004; Acts 2008, No. 136, §§1, 3, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2010, No. 824, §2, eff. June 30, 2010; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2012, No. 726, §1; Acts 2014, No. 675, §1; Acts 2016, No. 281, §1, eff. May 31, 2016; Acts 2018, No. 550, §1; Acts 2020, No. 28, §1, eff. June 4, 2020; Acts 2025, No. 199, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:674 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 674
Procedure
Status: in_force

A. The proper official shall institute suit in the district court of the officeholder's designated domicile to obtain a judgment declaring the office vacant within ten days after the issuance of his opinion, if his opinion is that the officeholder no longer meets the residence or domicile requirements of his office. The matter shall be tried by preference over all other matters and, if the court shall find that the officeholder no longer meets the residence or domicile requirements of his office, a judgment shall be rendered declaring the office vacant, and the vacancy may be filled as provided by law.

B. A hearing on the petition for declaration of vacancy shall be held not more than twenty days after service upon the officeholder whose removal is sought. Judgment shall be rendered in the matter within ten days after trial. Either party may appeal the judgment suspensively within five days after the signing of the judgment, by obtaining an order of appeal and posting bond for a sum fixed by the court to secure the payment of costs. The trial judge shall fix the return day at a time not to exceed five days after the granting of the order of appeal. An application to the supreme court for a writ of certiorari may be made only within three days after the signing of judgment by the court of appeal. Each appellate court to which the action is brought shall place the matter on its preferential docket, shall hear it without delay, and shall render a decision within ten days after oral argument. The granting of an order of suspensive appeal or writ of certiorari suspends the effect of the judgment during the pendency of such proceedings.

Acts 1988, No. 550, §1, eff. Aug. 1, 1988.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:492 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 492
Grounds for an objection to candidacy
Status: in_force

A. An action objecting to the candidacy of a person who qualified as a candidate in a primary election shall be based on one or more of the following grounds:

(1) The defendant failed to qualify for the primary election in the manner prescribed by law.

(2) The defendant failed to qualify for the primary election within the time prescribed by law.

(3) The defendant does not meet the qualifications for the office he seeks in the primary election.

(4) The defendant is prohibited by law from becoming a candidate for one or more of the offices for which he qualified.

(5) The defendant falsely certified on his notice of candidacy that he does not owe any outstanding fines, fees, or penalties pursuant to the Campaign Finance Disclosure Act as provided in R.S. 18:463(A)(2).

(6) The defendant falsely certified on his notice of candidacy that he does not owe any outstanding fines, fees, or penalties pursuant to the Code of Governmental Ethics as provided in R.S. 18:463(A)(2).

(7) The defendant falsely certified on his notice of candidacy that for each of the previous five tax years he has filed his federal and state income tax returns, has filed for an extension of time for filing either his federal or state income tax return or both as provided in R.S. 18:463(A)(2), or was not required to file either a federal or state income tax return or both.

B. A violation of R.S. 18:463(A)(1)(c) by an agent shall not constitute ground for objecting to a candidacy pursuant to Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 47, §1; Acts 2004, No. 896, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2008, 1 st Ex. Sess., No. 16, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2010, No. 827, §1.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1491.4 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1491.4
Committee treasurers; campaign depositories; expenditures; petty cash fund
Status: in_force

A. The chairman of each committee shall be the treasurer of the committee, unless the committee appoints a treasurer. Committees also may appoint one or more deputy treasurers. The names and addresses of any treasurer or deputy treasurer so appointed shall be filed with the supervisory committee in the statement of organization required by R.S. 18:1491.1, or if appointed after the statement of organization is filed, the names and addresses of any treasurer or deputy treasurer shall be reported to the supervisory committee within ten days following appointment.

B.(1) Any person may solicit contributions for or on behalf of the committee, or sell political paraphernalia or tickets to a testimonial or other fundraising event, provided that all contribution(s) or proceeds are transmitted directly to the chairman of the committee or its treasurer or deputy treasurer together with such information as may be required by this Chapter. No chairman of a committee or designated treasurer or deputy treasurer shall accept such funds without such information and they shall be responsible under the provisions of this Chapter for any errors and omissions in records or reports of such funds. Any contributions or transfer of funds received by a committee which has appointed a treasurer shall be transferred to the treasurer.

(2) When any person who is not the treasurer or a deputy treasurer of a committee makes any expenditure for the committee, he shall transmit directly to the treasurer or a deputy treasurer all information concerning the expenditure required by this Chapter. The treasurer of the committee shall be responsible under the provisions of this Chapter for any errors or omissions in the records or reports of such expenditures.

(3) For purposes of all reports required by this Chapter, all contributions received by or transferred to a treasurer or a deputy treasurer of a committee, and all expenditures made by a treasurer or a deputy treasurer of a committee or by any other person on behalf of the committee, shall be considered contributions or expenditures of the committee.

C. A deputy treasurer of a committee may exercise any of the powers and duties of a treasurer as set forth in this Chapter when specifically authorized to do so by the treasurer and the chairman of the committee.

D.(1) The chairman of each committee shall designate one or more national or state banks or state or federally chartered savings and loan associations or savings banks, or state or federally chartered credit unions, as the campaign depositories of the committee and may invest in a money market mutual fund, certificate of deposit, or United States treasury security and designate such investment or fund as a campaign depository. The committee chairman, the committee treasurer, and any deputy treasurers shall deposit any contributions received by them into an account or accounts maintained at such depository or depositories. No expenditure shall be made by any committee chairman, committee treasurer, deputy treasurer, or any other person on behalf of the committee, except by check drawn on such account or accounts, except as specifically provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection and Subsection E of this Section. Each check drawn on any such account shall be made payable to a specific person, except a check made payable to petty cash. Each check drawn on such an account shall indicate the objects or services for which such check is drawn and such check shall be maintained as part of the records required by R.S. 18:1491.5. The name and address of such campaign depository so designated shall be filed with the supervisory committee in the statement of organization required by R.S. 18:1491.1. If any additional depositories are designated, they shall be reported within ten days following such designation as required by R.S. 18:1491.1.

(2) An expenditure may be made by a committee chairman, committee treasurer, deputy treasurer, or other authorized person on behalf of the committee by electronic funds transfer provided that the transfer of funds is to a specific person and that records are maintained as to the objects or services for which such transfer of funds was made. Detailed records of each electronic fund transfer shall be maintained as part of the records required by R.S. 18:1491.5.

(3) A committee, which is not the principal campaign committee or designated subsidiary committee of a candidate, or that makes a contribution to a candidate or to the principal campaign committee or designated subsidiary committee of a candidate shall clearly indicate to the candidate or the principal campaign committee or designated subsidiary committee of the candidate that the contribution is from a political committee either by a designation on the check or by a separate notification attached to the contribution.

E. A committee may maintain a petty cash fund or funds. A petty cash fund shall be maintained on an imprest system, that is, expenditures may be made in cash from the fund, and the fund shall from time to time be restored to its original amount by a transfer of funds from other committee funds of a sum equal to the aggregate of the sums expended from the fund. No expenditure in excess of two hundred dollars shall be made from the petty cash fund, and no expenditure shall be made from the petty cash fund for any personal services, except for gratuities paid for the serving of food or drink. No expenditure shall be made from the petty cash fund in violation of R.S. 18:1531. A complete record of petty cash expenditures shall be maintained in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 18:1491.5(D).

Acts 1980, No. 786, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1985, No. 550, §1, eff. July 12, 1985; Acts 1993, No. 199, §1, eff. June 1, 1993; Acts 1997, No. 863, §1; Acts 2010, No. 577, §1, eff. June 25, 2010; Acts 2014, No. 244, §1; Acts 2024, No. 664, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2025; Acts 2025, No. 398, §1, eff. June 20, 2025.
La. Rev. Stat. § 18:1309.3 — LA Code / Code revised-statutes / Title 18 / Section 1309.3
Assistance in voting during early voting
Status: in_force

A. Voters entitled to assistance during early voting. A voter shall not receive assistance in voting unless he is unable to read or is unable to vote without assistance because of a physical disability, including visual impairment. If a voter who is entitled to receive assistance in voting chooses to vote using the audio ballot instead of receiving assistance and the audio ballot equipment fails, the voter shall be entitled to assistance in voting as provided in this Section.

B. Persons prohibited from assisting voters during early voting. (1) No candidate in any election may assist any voter in casting his ballot in that election.

(2) No employer or employer's agent may assist an employee in voting.

(3) No union agent may assist a union member in voting.

(4)(a) Except as provided in Paragraphs (1) through (3) of this Subsection, a voter entitled to assistance in voting may receive the assistance of any person of his choice, including a registrar or deputy registrar.

(b) The voter, along with the person assisting the voter, shall complete a voter assistance form and provide the name of the person assisting the voter and attest whether the person, other than a commissioner, providing assistance was paid to assist the voter. If the voter is not marked for assistance in voting in the statewide voter registration database, the voter shall attest on the voter assistance form that the voter has a physical disability or is unable to read and requires assistance in voting.

C. Procedure when voter receives assistance during early voting. The person assisting the voter shall enter the voting machine with the voter and assist him in voting. No other person shall enter the voting machine or assist the voter in voting. No person assisting the voter shall reveal the name of any person for whom the voter has voted, how he voted on any proposition upon which he voted, or anything that took place while the voter was being assisted. When an early voting location is equipped with a voting machine which provides an audio ballot, the registrar or deputy registrar shall offer the option of voting using the audio ballot to a visually impaired voter or a voter who is unable to read. If the voter elects to vote using the audio ballot, the registrar or deputy registrar shall assist the voter with the headset and instruct the voter or the person selected to assist the voter concerning the use of the audio ballot.

D.(1)(a) Prior to receiving assistance pursuant to this Section because of a disability, including visual impairment, the voter shall file with the registrar in person or by mail a statement setting forth the necessity and reasons for this assistance and shall furnish the registrar one of the following:

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

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

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

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

(v) A completed and signed voter assistance form provided by the secretary of state wherein the voter attests that he has a physical disability and requires assistance in voting.

(b) If the voter is submitting the information required by this Paragraph by mail, the voter shall include a copy of his Louisiana driver's license, his Louisiana special identification card issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1321, or other generally recognized picture identification card that contains the name and signature of the voter.

(2) If such statement with such documentation, if applicable, is filed with the registrar as provided in this Subsection or presented to the registrar or deputy registrar during early voting, the registrar shall document those facts in the voter's information on the statewide voter registration system and, as appropriate, on the voter's original application for registration and on any other official registration records. The registrar shall retain the statement and documentation, if applicable. Thereafter, the voter shall not be required to present evidence of any kind during early voting or at the polls.

E. A voter who has a visible physical disability or who presents a current mobility impairment identification card bearing a photograph of the voter and the international symbol of accessibility issued by the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections as authorized by the provisions of R.S. 47:463.4, and the person who will be assisting him in voting, shall be allowed to go to the front of the line to cast a ballot when early voting.

Acts 2009, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 590, §1, eff. June 25, 2010; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2013, No. 395, §1, eff. June 18, 2013; Acts 2014, No. 811, §9, eff. June 23, 2014; Acts 2017, No. 201, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2018; Acts 2020, No. 28, §1, eff. June 4, 2020; Acts 2024, No. 317, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.