reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:133. Branch offices; mobile registration units; mandatory registration drives

RS 18:133 - Branch offices; mobile registration units; mandatory registration drives
A. All branch offices, whether temporary or permanent, shall be located in permanent buildings, except mobile registration units. However, if a branch office of a registrar is destroyed, inaccessible, or unsafe during or following a gubernatorially declared state of emergency, the registrar may utilize a temporary building as a branch office until an office that meets the requirements of this Section becomes available. Such branch office shall be located within the parish, or if there is no appropriate location within the parish due to the emergency, then in an immediately adjacent parish, or if there is no appropriate location in any immediately adjacent parish due to the emergency, then in the nearest parish in which there is an appropriate location.
B. Any or all branch offices, whether permanent or temporary, and any or all mobile registration units, in operation on December 31, 1977, may be continued in operation by the governing authority heretofore responsible therefor, and those continued in operation shall continue to be funded by the state or local authorities heretofore made responsible therefor.
C. In addition to the offices continued in Subsection B of this Section, the registrar of each parish, with prior approval and at the expense of the parish governing authority, may provide permanent branch offices at sites selected by, and operated by the registrar.
D. In addition to the offices required or authorized by this Section, the registrar of each parish, with prior approval of the parish governing authority, may establish, maintain and operate additional temporary branch offices for the registration of voters. The location of these offices shall be determined by the registrar.
E. In each parish, the parish governing authority may provide for one or more mobile registration units for the registration of voters within the parish, which shall be at the expense of the parish governing authority. The registration books shall not be carried in any such mobile unit. In each of these parishes the registrar shall activate the mobile registration units whenever he deems it necessary in order to afford maximum registration service to the residents of the parish. The locations of these units shall be determined by the registrar. Each mobile unit shall be equipped with a fire extinguisher.
The provisions of this Subsection shall not be construed to allow house-to-house registration of voters.
F. Repealed by Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1995.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1985, No. 754, §1; Acts 1988, No. 661, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2006, No. 403, §1, eff. June 15, 2006.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:133.1. Temporary branch office; deputy registrar; appointment; compensation

RS 18:133.1 - Temporary branch office; deputy registrar; appointment; compensation
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Chapter, the registrar of voters of Jefferson Parish shall establish a temporary branch office or offices at Grand Isle at such location or locations as he deems appropriate which shall be open for business during the hours and on the days that he deems that activity justifies it. The registrar shall appoint a citizen of the town of Grand Isle on a temporary year-to-year basis to act as a deputy registrar and shall fix his compensation. The compensation so fixed shall be approved by the parish governing authority and shall be paid from funds appropriated by the parish governing authority.
Added by Acts 1978, No. 721, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:134. Office hours

RS 18:134 - Office hours
A. A registrar shall keep his principal office open for business on those days that state departments are open. A registrar shall observe the holidays that are provided by law or proclaimed by the governor for state departments. On days that a registrar's office is open, his office hours shall be from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Notwithstanding any provision of this Subsection, any registrar may keep his principal office open during additional hours and on additional days.
B. Each registrar shall keep each permanent branch office open for business during the hours and on the days he deems the activity justifies it.
C. Each registrar shall keep each temporary branch office and each mobile registration unit open for business during the hours and on the days that he deems that activity justifies it.
D. Additional hours and days during which a principal office is to be kept open, as authorized by Subsection A of this Section, and the hours and days during which each office or mobile unit is to be kept open, under the provisions of Subsections B and C of this Section, and the hours and days of early voting, shall be specified and advertised in advance by the registrar by means of the news media.
E.(1) On election days the principal office of the registrar shall remain open from 7:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.,or until all precinct results have been submitted to the clerk of court and the absentee by mail and early voting results have been submitted to the registrar of voters, whichever is earlier. The registrar or a deputy registrar designated by him shall remain in the office during that time.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, on days when a regularly scheduled congressional primary election is held, the principal office of the registrar shall remain open from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., or until all precinct results have been submitted to the clerk of court and the absentee by mail and early voting results have been submitted to the registrar of voters, whichever is earlier. The registrar or a deputy registrar designated by him shall remain in the office during that time.
F. It shall be lawful to register persons on Sundays and holidays.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 544 §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Amended by Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 2007, No. 240, §1; Acts 2009, No. 176, §1; Acts 2012, No. 577, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2013; Acts 2021, No. 381, §1, eff. June 17, 2021.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:151. Custody of records

RS 18:151 - Custody of records
A. The original application for registration, together with the registers, records, files, books, and paraphernalia used for conduct of the registrar's office, shall be kept under the control and in the custody of the registrar at his principal office and shall be removed therefrom only as provided in this Section, as authorized by law, or on order of a competent court. However, if his permanent branch office is separated from his principal office by navigable waters, the registrar may allow his records to be kept both in his principal office and the permanent branch office.
B. The original application for registration or any of the registers, records, files, books, and paraphernalia used for conduct of the registrar's office shall be released, upon the request of the secretary of state, to the control and custody of the secretary of state, or his designee, for scanning or, upon request of the registrar, entering registration information into the state voter registration computer system. The secretary of state shall be responsible for the preservation and maintenance of all such materials released to him, or to his designee, until the materials have been returned to the control and custody of the registrar.
C. For purposes of this Part, the original application for registration shall include the actual document or form completed by the voter and all documented changes thereto.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Acts 1984, No. 672, §1; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1032, §7; Acts 2009, No. 186, §2, eff. June 29, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1.
NOTE: See Acts 2001, No. 1032, §17.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:152.1. Destruction of records of the registrar of voters

RS 18:152.1 - Destruction of records of the registrar of voters
If original records of a registrar of voters are destroyed as a result of catastrophic loss or damage and there are no microfilm, microfiche, or scanned or electronically captured computerized images of the original records of voters, every attempt shall be made to re-create the records of voters who are not canceled. Computer records from the secretary of state's database shall be deemed the original records until such time as the records can be recreated.
Acts 2006, No. 403, §1, eff. June 15, 2006; Acts 2009, No. 186, §2, eff. June 29, 2009.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:153. Tax rolls

RS 18:153 - Tax rolls
A copy of the latest filed tax roll shall be made available to the registrar of each parish upon his request, so that he may prepare the list to be used in any election in which property ownership is a legally valid requisite for voting.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:155. Refusal or neglect to grant right of inspection; remedies

RS 18:155 - Refusal or neglect to grant right of inspection; remedies
A. If the registrar fails or refuses to comply with any provision of R.S. 18:154, the voter or voters may apply to the district court having jurisdiction for a peremptory order to the registrar to comply therewith. The rule shall be returnable within forty-eight hours, and the court shall hear the rule in summary manner and by preference, in term time or vacation, and shall decide it within twenty-four hours after submission.
B. If the court finds that the plaintiff is entitled to the relief sought, it shall enter its order requiring performance by the registrar and shall hold the registrar in contempt if he does not comply within three days after entry of the order.
C. This remedy shall not preclude any other civil remedy against or criminal prosecution of the registrar provided in this Title for such failure or refusal.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:156. Alteration, defacing, destruction, or removal of records

RS 18:156 - Alteration, defacing, destruction, or removal of records
Except as provided by law, no registrar, deputy, or employee of a registrar, or any person having access to or the right of inspection, copying, or photographing of any book, card, record, or other document pertaining to the registration of voters, shall alter, add to, deface, or destroy any such document, or remove it from the custody of the registrar. However, nothing in this Section prevents a competent court from requiring the registrar to produce in court, in any proceeding pending therein, any document, book, card, or record which the court believes to be necessary and material to the determination of the proceeding. However, such documents shall not become permanent records of the court, but shall be returned to the custody of the registrar immediately after inspection by the court. The court may require a photostatic copy thereof to be placed in the record.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:157. Delivery of precinct registers to election authorities

RS 18:157 - Delivery of precinct registers to election authorities
The registrar shall seal a precinct register for each precinct in the parish which is involved in the election, which shall contain both the official list of voters and inactive list of voters in each precinct and shall be bound in a pressboard binder, labeled with the correct ward and the precinct number, and shall surrender such to the contractor authorized by the secretary of state to deliver voting machines pursuant to R.S. 18:1371, not less than three days before the opening hour of the election.
Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:158. Retention of absentee by mail and early voting ballots and records; retention of registration records for federal elections

RS 18:158 - Retention of absentee by mail and early voting ballots and records; retention of registration records for federal elections
A. The registrar of voters in each parish shall keep and maintain all records relating to absentee by mail and early voting as provided in Chapter 7 of this Title.
B. The registrar of voters in each parish shall keep and maintain for a period of twenty-two months from the date of the election all applications for registration and registration records received for purposes of voting in an election involving the office of President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, presidential elector, United States Senator, or United States Representative.
Added by Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1985, No. 755, §1; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:171.1. Conviction of felony in federal court; notification

RS 18:171.1 - Conviction of felony in federal court; notification
A.(1) Each United States attorney shall give written notice to the secretary of state of any felony conviction of a person in a district court of the United States for which there is an order of imprisonment and for which the person is incarcerated pursuant to the order.
(2) The notice shall include the name of the offender, the offender's age and residence address, the date of entry of the judgment, a description of the offenses of which the offender was convicted, and the sentence imposed by the court.
B. The secretary of state shall send to the registrar of voters of each parish such information received from a United States attorney regarding persons with a definitive felony conviction.
C. Upon request of the registrar of voters, the United States attorney shall provide such additional information as the United States attorney may have concerning the identity of the offender and the offense of which the offender was convicted.
D. If a conviction of which notice was given pursuant to this Section is overturned, the United States attorney shall give written notice of the vacation of the judgment to the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall send such notice of the vacation of the judgment to the appropriate registrar of voters.
Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2021, No. 127, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 2022.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:172. Judgment of interdiction for mental incompetence

RS 18:172 - Judgment of interdiction for mental incompetence
The clerk of a court having jurisdiction over an interdiction shall record in a conveyance book each judgment of full interdiction or a limited interdiction for mental incompetence which specifically suspends the right to register and vote and which has become definitive. This recordation shall be made immediately after the judgment becomes definitive. By the tenth day of each calendar month, the clerk shall transmit to the registrar of voters for his parish a certified copy of the judgment. If the registrar of voters for the parish in which the judgment was rendered determines that the person interdicted is registered to vote in a parish other than the parish in which the judgment was rendered, the registrar of voters for the parish in which the judgment was rendered shall transmit a copy of the judgment to the registrar of voters for the parish where the person interdicted is registered to vote.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 544, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2004, No. 575, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2008, No. 136, §1, eff. June 6, 2008; Acts 2013, No. 383, §1, eff. June 18, 2013.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:173. Deaths

RS 18:173 - Deaths
A. Within thirty days after receipt of a certified copy of a death certificate, the registrar of voters shall remove from the voter registration rolls the name of the deceased.
B. By the tenth day of each month the parish health officer shall send notice to the registrar of voters of the death of each person in the parish during the preceding month and shall include the deceased person's parish of residence.
C.(1) By the tenth day of each month, the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health shall send to the Department of State a report, certified as correct over his signature or the signature of his authorized representative, containing the name, address, date of birth, sex, social security number, place of birth, mother's maiden name, and alias name, as such information exists in the database of the Louisiana Department of Health, of any person sixteen years of age or older who died in each parish of the state within the preceding calendar month.
(2) Within thirty days after receipt of the report described in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, the Department of State shall cancel the registration of any deceased person when the information provided by the Louisiana Department of Health corresponds exactly to the criteria for cancellation of voter registration as established by the secretary of state. The Department of State shall promptly notify the registrar of the parish in which the voter was registered of such cancellation.
(3) The information received from the Louisiana Department of Health regarding deceased persons whose registrations were not canceled pursuant to Paragraph (2) of this Subsection shall be sent monthly to the registrar of voters for each parish by the Department of State. Within thirty days after receipt of the report from the Department of State, the registrar of voters shall review the information received from the Louisiana Department of Health to determine if the matches of information are sufficient to cancel or challenge the registration of deceased persons.
D. The registrar of voters shall search obituaries for deceased persons whose registrations were not canceled. The registrar of voters shall use information from an obituary notice to cancel a deceased voter's registration if the notice provides sufficient information to properly identify the voter and the registrar has confirmed the voter's death with the office of vital records.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 544, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 1986, No. 669, §1; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1032, §7; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2014, No. 173, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 2015; Acts 2015, No. 307, §3, eff. June 29, 2015; Acts 2021, No. 364, §1, eff. June 1, 2022.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:175. Voting list from Department of State

RS 18:175 - Voting list from Department of State
A. Whenever any authority that is authorized to do so calls an election in the parish, the registrar for that parish shall notify the Department of State to supply him in duplicate both the official list and the inactive list of voters in his parish who are eligible to vote in the election. The request shall be made directly to the secretary of state, who shall furnish the list without delay.
B. Upon his request, the Department of State shall furnish the registrar an error listing for the purpose of correcting his records.
C. Before any person may obtain a list of the registered voters, he shall obtain the consent of the secretary of state or of the registrar. He shall pay such actual cost therefor as may be imposed by the secretary of state.
D.(1) The secretary of state shall provide, without charge or remuneration, to a clerk of court at the clerk's request a complete and accurate annual list from the Department of State containing the official list of registered voters in the parish of the clerk for the preparation of a general venire selection.
(2) The secretary of state shall also provide to the clerk of court, without charge or remuneration, at the clerk's request, monthly updates to the official list of registered voters in the parish for use in maintaining the general venire.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1990, No. 77, §1; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 303, §1; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:177. Reinstatement of registration after suspension

RS 18:177 - Reinstatement of registration after suspension
A.(1) The registration of a person whose registration has been suspended by the registrar of voters pursuant to R.S. 18:176(A) shall be reinstated when the person appears in the office of the registrar and provides documentation from the appropriate correction official showing that such person is no longer under an order of imprisonment or, if the person is under such an order, that the person has not been incarcerated pursuant to the order within the last five years and the person is not under an order of imprisonment related to a felony conviction pursuant to election fraud or any other election offense pursuant to R.S. 18:1461.2.
(2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, such documentation may be provided by mail, facsimile, commercial carrier, or hand delivery for the following:
(a) A person who has been approved by the parish board of election supervisors as being eligible to participate in the Special Program for Handicapped Voters as such program existed prior to January 1, 2010.
(b) A person who has submitted to the registrar current proof of disability from a physician along with a certification from the physician indicating that by reason of the person's disability the person is unable to appear in person to vote either during early voting or at the polling place on election day.
B. The registration of a person who has been interdicted and judicially declared mentally incompetent and whose registration has been suspended by the registrar pursuant to R.S. 18:176 shall be reinstated upon receipt by the registrar of a certified copy of a definitive judgment revoking such interdiction.
Acts 1997, No. 1420, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1998; Acts 1999, No. 1381, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2018, No. 636, §1, eff. March 1, 2019.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:177.1. Satisfaction of order of imprisonment; provision of information relative to registration and reinstatement

RS 18:177.1 - Satisfaction of order of imprisonment; provision of information relative to registration and reinstatement
The Department of Public Safety and Corrections shall provide each person who completes all orders of imprisonment applicable to him for felony convictions with the following:
(1) Information apprising the person of the requirements and procedures for registering to vote and for reinstatement of registration.
(2) A state mail voter registration application.
Acts 2008, No. 604, §1.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:178. Notification on jury venire

RS 18:178 - Notification on jury venire
A. In each parish that sends out jury duty notices or questionnaires, by the tenth day of each month, the clerk of court shall notify, in writing, the registrar of voters of any returned jury duty notice or questionnaire indicating the person is unable to serve because he no longer resides in the parish. In a parish where the clerk of court is not responsible for handling the jury duty notices or questionnaires, the responsible entity shall notify, in writing, the registrar of voters of any such returned jury duty notices or questionnaires.
B.(1) In each parish that sends out jury duty notices or questionnaires, by the tenth day of each month, the clerk of court shall notify, in writing, the Department of State of any returned jury duty notice or questionnaire indicating the person is unable to serve because he is not a United States citizen. In a parish where the clerk of court is not responsible for handling jury duty notices or questionnaires, the responsible entity shall notify, in writing, the Department of State of any such returned jury duty notices or questionnaires.
(2) The Department of State shall send information received pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this Subsection to the registrar of voters of each parish.
C.(1) Upon the expiration of each jury selection panel, each federal district court in the state shall notify the Department of State of any person identified as out of the jurisdiction within the time limit of a particular panel for jury selection or as not being a United States citizen.
(2) The Department of State shall send such information received from the federal district courts to the registrar of voters of each parish.
Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2015, No. 307, §1, eff. June 29, 2015.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:192. Annual canvass; costs

RS 18:192 - Annual canvass; costs
A.(1)(a) No later than June thirtieth in each parish, the registrar of voters shall annually canvass the names of the registrants in all precincts in the parish. Failure of the registrar to conduct an annual canvass as provided in this Paragraph shall constitute willful misconduct relating to his official duty for the purposes of R.S. 18:53. The Department of State shall use the United States Postal Service or its licensee to verify the names and addresses of the registrants in all precincts in the state. A verification by the United States Postal Service or its licensee shall constitute a valid canvass of the registered voter.
(b) In conducting the verification, if the United States Postal Service or its licensee provides a corrected address, the Department of State shall furnish the corrected address to the appropriate registrar of voters. Upon receiving a corrected address inside the parish, the Department of State may make the change on the statewide registration system and the registrar of voters may make the change on his records. If a change is made, the registrar shall mail a new voter identification card to the voter using the corrected address provided and an address confirmation notice as provided in R.S. 18:193. In the event the new voter identification card using the corrected address is returned to the registrar and the voter has failed to return the address confirmation notice, the registrar shall consider the address not corrected. The registrar shall change his records to reflect the prior address on file for that voter. If the corrected address is outside of the parish, the registrar of voters shall not make the change on his records and shall send an address confirmation notice as provided in R.S. 18:193.
(2) For a registrant whose address was not verified or whose corrected address is outside of the parish, the registrar shall send an address confirmation notice as set forth in R.S. 18:193.
B. The parish governing authority shall provide to the registrar of voters the funding necessary for the mailing of new voter identification cards in the conduct of the canvass.
C. For the purposes of this Section, "residence address" shall mean the registrant's place of residence except in the case of a registrant to whom the United States Postal Service will not deliver mail to his place of residence, it shall mean the registrant's mailing address.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 544, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1986, No. 669, §1; Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1989, No. 652, §1; Acts 1990, No. 107, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1991; Acts 1990, No. 142, §1; Acts 1991, No. 201, §3, eff. Dec. 31, 1991; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §§1, 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; H.C.R. 2, 2005 1st Ex. Sess., eff. Nov. 20, 2005; Acts 2008, No. 519, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 218, §1; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:194. Repealed by Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1995.

RS 18:194 - Repealed by Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1995.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:195. Challenge of registrants in the United States Service or temporarily residing outside United States

RS 18:195 - Challenge of registrants in the United States Service or temporarily residing outside United States
A. If the registrant whose registration is challenged for any lawful cause is a member of the United States Service or is a person who is temporarily residing outside of the territorial limits of the United States, the registrar shall mail the registrant an address confirmation notice. The registrant's name shall be placed on the inactive list of voters upon mailing of such notice.
B.(1) Upon receipt of the address confirmation notice or any written request for continued registration, the registrar shall place the registrant's name on the official list of voters.
(2) Upon receipt of a request for an absentee by mail ballot, the registrar shall consider such request an affirmation of registration, place the registrant's name on the official list of voters, and forward the proper ballots.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:197. Registration; cancellation

RS 18:197 - Registration; cancellation
No registrar of voters shall cancel the registration of any voter in his parish between any primary election and the subsequent general election occurring in that parish as a result of any of the processes authorized by this Part, except in the case of a person who has been fraudulently placed upon the registration records or in the case of a person whose registration is canceled pursuant to the annual canvass conducted by the registrar.
Acts 1988, No. 78, §1; Acts 1988, No. 829, §1; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:198. Change of residence or change in address; inquiry by registrar; change of records

RS 18:198 - Change of residence or change in address; inquiry by registrar; change of records
A. Whenever a registrar has reason to believe that a registrant has changed his residence within the parish or that a change has occurred in the registrant's mailing address within the parish, the registrar shall mail the address confirmation notice as provided in R.S. 18:193(B) to the registrant but shall not place the voter on the inactive list of voters.
B. The notice shall inform the voter that he must notify the registrar of his current address.
C. The registrar shall send the notice to the registrant's address shown on the registration records and to the address the registrar believes to be the registrant's new address. Upon return of the notice, signed by the registrant, the registrar shall enter any change 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.
D. If the registrant fails to return the notice within thirty days after the date on which the notice was mailed, the registrar shall place the registrant on the inactive list of voters. The registrant shall remain on the inactive list of voters in accordance with the procedures set forth in R.S. 18:196 or not later than a period of two regularly scheduled federal general elections, at which time the registrar shall cancel the registration of the registrant.
Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; 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 2021, No. 381, §3, eff. Feb. 1, 2022; Acts 2023, No. 91, §1, eff. June 6, 2023.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:199. New registration necessary after cancellation

RS 18:199 - New registration necessary after cancellation
A. A person whose registration has been canceled shall not be permitted to vote except upon a new registration made in accordance with this Chapter.
B. A cancellation of registration shall not affect the right of any person thereafter to register if he possesses the qualifications to register and vote.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:221. Redesignated to R.S. 18:66 by Acts 2017, No. 176, §6, eff. June 14, 2017.

RS 18:221 - Redesignated to R.S. 18:66 by Acts 2017, No. 176, §6, eff. June 14, 2017.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:401. Purpose and nature of primary and general elections

RS 18:401 - Purpose and nature of primary and general elections
A. Purpose. Primary and general elections are held to elect persons to Congress and to all the elective offices in this state, except the office of presidential elector.
NOTE: Subsection B eff. until Jan. 1, 2026. See Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1.
B. Nature. All qualified voters of this state may vote on candidates for public office in primary and general elections without regard to the voter's party affiliation or lack of it, and all candidates for public office who qualify for a primary or general election may be voted on without regard to the candidate's party affiliation or lack of it.
NOTE: Subsection B as amended by Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.
B. Nature of primary elections. (1) Except for the election of persons to a party primary office in a party primary election, all qualified voters of this state may vote on candidates for public office in primary elections without regard to the voter's party affiliation or lack of it, and all candidates for public office who qualify for a primary may be voted on without regard to the candidate's party affiliation or lack of it.
(2) Nature of party primary elections. The nature of party primary elections shall be as provided in Part I-A of this Chapter.
NOTE: Subsection C as enacted by Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.
C. Nature of general elections. All qualified voters of this state may vote on candidates for public office in general elections without regard to the voter's party affiliation or lack of it, and all candidates for public office who qualify for a general election may be voted on without regard to the candidate's party affiliation or lack of it.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:401.2. Relocation of polling places; state of emergency

RS 18:401.2 - Relocation of polling places; state of emergency
A. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 18:534, 535, 536, and 537, if any polling place is determined by the clerk of court in conjunction with the secretary of state to be destroyed, inaccessible, or unsafe due to an emergency or common disaster occurring before or during a regularly scheduled or special election, the secretary of state may issue a certification of a state of emergency allowing the relocation of any such polling place when such action would allow voting to continue without the necessity of the issuance of an executive order by the governor for a suspension or delay pursuant to R.S. 18:401.1(B). Upon issuance of such a certification, the clerk of court and the presiding officer of the parish governing authority shall relocate any such polling place. The polling place shall be relocated to the nearest feasible and accessible location as determined by the secretary of state, upon the recommendation of the clerk of court in conjunction with the presiding officer of the parish governing authority.
B. When a polling place is relocated pursuant to Subsection A of this Section, the clerk of court in conjunction with the secretary of state shall give adequate notice of the change of the location to each voter registered to vote at that polling place and to each candidate to be voted on at that polling place, if practicable, in the following manner:
(1) Each candidate shall be given immediate notice by telephone or by electronic means, and by certified mail where reasonable time exists, of the new location of any polling places that have been relocated.
(2) A sign shall be posted at any former polling place directing voters to the new location of the polling place, if practicable.
(3) An employee of the parish governing authority shall be stationed at any former polling place, if practicable, for the purpose of directing potential voters to the new location of the polling place. Such employee shall be required to take the constitutional oath or affirmation. The clerk of court shall administer the oath.
(4) If reasonable time exists, the notice of the change in location shall be published by the clerk of court in the official journal of the parish and in any other newspaper of general circulation in the precinct or precincts affected. Publication of the notice shall appear under the heading, NOTICE OF CHANGE OF POLLING PLACE.
(5) The secretary of state shall post a list of all changed polling place locations on the secretary of state's website.
C. The clerk of court may take any other reasonable steps as it deems necessary or desirable to inform the voters and the candidates of the change in location, including but not limited to posting notices on utility poles and advertisements in the electronic media.
Acts 2003, No. 1220, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2004; Acts 2022, No. 528, §1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:401.4. Emergency actions by the secretary of state

RS 18:401.4 - Emergency actions by the secretary of state
A. After the issuance of an initial proclamation or executive order by the governor declaring a state of emergency within forty-five days prior to an election and if the secretary of state determines that such emergency impairs an election that may otherwise be held except for problems with respect to the relocation or consolidation of polling places within the parish, potential shortages of commissioners, or shortages of voting machines, the secretary of state shall submit notice of such problems and proposed solutions to both the House and Senate committees on governmental affairs as well as the governor's office. Following such notice, the secretary of state shall take necessary actions to ensure the successful execution of the election such as making reasonable adjustments to deadlines and provisions of equipment, staffing, and other resources to ensure a safe, secure, and accessible election.
B. Within fifteen days following the election, the Department of State shall provide a report to the legislature of actions taken pursuant to this Section.
Acts 2022, No. 528, §1, eff. Oct. 1, 2022.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:403. Election records and papers; preservation; public record

RS 18:403 - Election records and papers; preservation; public record
A. Except as otherwise provided by law, every election official shall retain and preserve, for at least six months after the date of a primary or general election, all records and papers which come into his possession relating to the qualifying of candidates, the selection of commissioners, alternate commissioners, and watchers, and the conduct or results of a primary or general election. These records and papers shall be public records open to inspection by anyone.
B. In an election involving the office of the president of the United States, vice president of the United States, presidential elector, United States senator, or United States representative, all records and papers which come into the possession of an election official relating to any application, registration, or other act requisite to voting in such election shall be kept and maintained for a period of twenty-two months from the date of the election.
Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:410.1. Party primary elections

RS 18:410.1 - Party primary elections
Party primary elections for party primary offices as defined in R.S. 18:2 shall be held pursuant to this Part, and any provision of this Code in conflict with these provisions shall not be applicable to elections for party primary offices. Any provision of this Code that is not in conflict with these provisions shall be applicable to these elections unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. For purposes of this Part, the phrase "recognized political party" shall mean a political party recognized pursuant to R.S. 18:441(C).
Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:410.2. Party primary office; party primary qualifications

RS 18:410.2 - Party primary office; party primary qualifications
Recognized political parties shall make nominations of candidates for party primary office as provided in this Part. Only candidates affiliated with a recognized political party may participate in the party primary election of the political party of the candidate's party affiliation.
Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:410.3. Purpose and nature of party primary elections

RS 18:410.3 - Purpose and nature of party primary elections
For general elections, political parties shall make all nominations of candidates for party primary office by direct primary elections held pursuant to this Part. In party primary elections, each voter voting in such election may vote only for a candidate who is affiliated with the same party as the voter. Voters not affiliated with a political party may vote in a recognized party primary, but such a voter may vote only in one recognized party primary.
Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:410.4. Manner of qualifying for a party primary election

RS 18:410.4 - Manner of qualifying for a party primary election
A. A person who desires to become a candidate in a party primary election shall qualify as a candidate by timely filing notice of his candidacy, which shall be accompanied either by a nominating petition or by the qualifying fee and any additional fee imposed. A candidate whose notice of candidacy is accompanied by a nominating petition shall not be required to pay any qualifying fee or any additional fee.
B. A person who desires to become a candidate in a party primary election shall be affiliated with a recognized political party. A person may qualify as a candidate only in a party primary election of the party with which he is affiliated as shown on his voter registration at the time of qualifying for that office. No candidate shall change his political party affiliation after he has qualified for an election until the deadline for an election contest has passed.
Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:410.5. Nominating petitions

RS 18:410.5 - Nominating petitions
A. A person may be nominated as a candidate in a party primary election only by persons who are affiliated with the same recognized political party, who are qualified to vote on the office he seeks, and who sign a nominating petition for him no more than one hundred twenty days before the qualifying period opens for candidates in the party primary election. The registrar of voters shall reject any signature on a nominating petition not in compliance with this Section.
B. Except as provided in Subsection A of this Section, the provisions of R.S. 18:465 apply to the nominating petition of a party primary candidate.
Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:410.6. Death of a candidate; procedure

RS 18:410.6 - Death of a candidate; procedure
When a person who qualified as a candidate in a party primary election for the office of party nominee dies after the close of the qualifying period and before the time for closing the polls on the day of that party primary election, the name of the deceased candidate shall not be printed on the party primary election ballot. If the party primary election ballot was printed with the deceased candidate's name on it, any votes received by the deceased candidate shall be void and shall not be counted for any purpose whatsoever.
Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.
2023 Louisiana Laws › Revised Statutes › Title 18 - Louisiana Election Code › §18:410.7. Party candidates who qualify for a general election

RS 18:410.7 - Party candidates who qualify for a general election
A. The candidate who receives the majority of votes in the party primary qualifies for the general election as the party's nominee for the office. All candidate nominations for a party primary office by recognized political parties for the general election shall be made in this manner.
B. In the event that no candidate receives the majority of votes in the first party primary, the two candidates from each political party who received the greatest number of votes in the first party primary shall be voted on in the second party primary.
(1) In the case of a tie vote for first place in the first party primary of a recognized political party, all of the candidates affiliated with the same political party who received the same highest number of votes qualify for the second party primary.
(2) In the case of a tie vote for second place in the first party primary of a recognized political party, all of the candidates affiliated with the same political party who received the same second highest number of votes and the candidate affiliated with the same political party who received the highest number of votes qualify for the second party primary.
(3) If one of the persons receiving the highest number of votes in the first party primary withdraws his candidacy, dies, or is otherwise disqualified, thereby leaving only one candidate from the same political party in the race, the remaining candidate who has received the highest number of votes for the office for which he was a candidate shall be declared the nominee of the party.
C. There shall be no third party primary. For any situation not specifically provided for in this Section, the state central committee of the recognized political party involved shall provide for the selection of a nominee from the candidates and shall provide notice of the selection of a nominee to the secretary of state no later than five business days after the second party primary election.
Acts 2024, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 1, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2026.