HLS 10RS-525 ENGROSSED
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE BILL NO. 59
BY REPRESENTATIVE FOIL
ELECTION CODE: Changes the hours the polls are required to be open on election day
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 18:541 and 542, relative to the hours of voting; to provide for the2
time for opening and closing of the polls; to provide for termination of voting; and3
to provide for related matters.4
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:5
Section 1. R.S. 18:541 and 542 are hereby amended and reenacted to read as6
follows: 7
§541. Opening and closing of the polls8
In the primary and general elections, the polls shall open at 6:00 7:00 a.m. on9
election day and shall close at 8:00 7:00 p.m. on election day.10
§542. Termination of voting11
A person who is in line to vote when the polls close on election day shall be12
allowed to vote. Voting in a primary or general election shall terminate (1) when the13
polls close, if no one is in line to vote at that time, or (2) when all the persons who14
were in line to vote at 8:00 7:00 p.m. have been allowed to vote.15
Section 2. This Act shall become effective on January 1, 2011. 16
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Foil HB No. 59
Abstract: Establishes new election day poll hours, with the polls to open at 7:00 a.m. and
close at 7:00 p.m. and with voting to terminate when all the persons in line to vote
at 7:00 p.m. have been allowed to vote. HLS 10RS-525 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 59
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Present law provides that the polls shall open at 6:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. on election
day and that any voter in line to vote at 8:00 p.m. shall be allowed to vote.
Proposed law provides instead that the polls shall be open from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. and
that any voter in line to vote at 7:00 p.m. shall be allowed to vote.
Effective Jan. 1, 2011.
(Amends R.S. 18:541 and 542)