SLS 10RS-221 ORIGINAL
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2010
SENATE BILL NO. 28
BY SENATOR MORRELL
ELECTION CODE. Provides for an all-purpose "super" poll watcher. (8/15/10)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 18:435(A), relative to poll watchers; to provide that candidates2
for certain elective offices are entitled to have "super watchers" who shall be3
admitted to any precinct in the designated parish or district where the office the4
candidate seeks is voted on in a primary or general election; to provide for5
qualifications, powers, and duties of "super watchers"; and to provide for related6
matters.7
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:8
Section 1. R.S. 18:435(A) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 9
ยง435. Watchers; appointment and commission10
A. Right to have watchers. (1) Each candidate is entitled to have one watcher11
at every precinct where the office he seeks is voted on in any primary or general12
election. The candidate or his authorized representative shall file one list of watchers13
on a form provided by the secretary of state or on a form which contains the same14
information as required by the form provided by the secretary of state. When a15
candidate's list of watchers is filed by the candidate's authorized representative, a16
letter of authorization from the candidate shall accompany the list of watchers.17 SB NO. 28
SLS 10RS-221 ORIGINAL
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
However, in the case of a presidential election, each slate of candidates for1
presidential elector is entitled to have one watcher at every precinct. The state central2
committee of each recognized political party shall be responsible for filing the list3
of watchers for its slate of candidates for presidential elector. The list of watchers for4
an independent or other party slate of candidates for presidential elector shall be filed5
by any person so authorized by the presidential candidate supported by the slate of6
electors. A letter of authorization from the presidential candidate, or an authorized7
agent of his campaign, shall accompany the list of watchers.8
(2) In addition to the watchers provided for in Paragraph (1), each9
candidate for a statewide or parishwide office may designate three watchers10
"super watchers" who shall have the qualifications, powers, and duties of11
watchers provided for by R.S. 18:427, and each of whom shall be admitted as12
a watcher in every precinct in the designated parish where the office the13
candidate seeks is voted on in the primary and general election. The selection14
of these super watchers shall be made in the same manner as for watchers set15
forth in this Section.16
(3) In addition to the watchers provided for in Paragraph (1), each17
candidate for a district office may designate one watcher "super watcher" who18
shall have the qualifications, powers, and duties of watchers provided for by19
R.S.18:427, and who shall be admitted as a watcher in every precinct in the20
designated district where the office the candidate seeks is voted on in the21
primary and general election. The selection of this super watcher shall be made22
in the same manner as for watchers set forth in this Section.23
(2) (4) Any person who is supporting or opposing a proposition or question24
to be submitted to the voters or supporting or opposing the recall of a public officer25
and who has filed a report required by R.S. 18:1486 for such election is entitled to26
have one watcher at every precinct where the issue he seeks to influence is voted on27
in an election. For the purposes of this Subsection, "person" means any individual,28
partnership, association, labor union, political committee, corporation, or other legal29 SB NO. 28
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words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
entity, including its subsidiaries.1
(3) (5) The commissioners shall regulate the number of watchers inside the2
polling place as provided in R.S. 18:427.3
* * *4
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Alden A. Clement, Jr.
DIGEST
Present law provides that each candidate is entitled to have one watcher at every precinct
where the office he seeks is voted on in any primary or general election.
Proposed law provides that in addition to the watchers provided for by present law, each
candidate for a statewide or parish wide office may designate three "super watchers" who
have the qualifications, powers, and duties of watchers provided for by present law, and each
of whom are to be admitted as a watcher in every precinct in the designated parish where the
office the candidate seeks is voted on in the primary and general election.
Proposed law further provides that each candidate for a district office may designate one
"super watcher" who shall have the qualifications, powers, and duties of watchers provided
for by present law, and who shall be admitted as a watcher in every precinct in the
designated district where the office the candidate seeks is voted on in the primary and
general election.
Proposed law further provides that the selection of these "super watchers" is to be made in
the same manner as for watchers set forth in present law.
Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Effective August 15, 2010.
(Amends R.S. 18:435(A))