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Regular Session, 2010
SENATE BILL NO. 615
BY SENATOR MARTINY
ELECTION OFFENSES. Provides relative to election offenses. (gov sig)
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 18:49.1(C), 1461, 1462, 1463(F), 1465(B), 1467, and 1468(C)2
and to enact R. S. 18:49.1(D), 1461.2, 1461.3, 1461.4, 1461.5, 1461.6, 1461.7 and3
1461.8, and to repeal R.S. 14:119 and R.S. 18:1300.6, relative to the election code;4
to provide relative to certain election offenses, to provide for definitions; to provided5
for penalties; and to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 18:49.1(C), 1461, 1462, 1463(F), 1465(B), 1467, and 1468(C) are8
hereby amended and reenacted and R. S. 18:49.1(D), 1461.2, 1461.3, 1461.4, 1461.5,9
1461.6, 1461.7 and 1461.8 are hereby enacted to read as follows: 10
§49.1. Elections compliance unit; powers and duties11
* * *12
C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a member13
of the Elections Compliance Unit may enter a polling place during early voting14
or on election day for the purposes of checking the overall operations of the15
polling place or investigating any potential violation of the Louisiana Election16
Code.17 SB NO. 615
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C. D. If during the course of investigation, the elections compliance unit1
determines that there may be a violation of any criminal law or provision of the2
Louisiana Election Code, the findings of the investigation shall be turned over to the3
appropriate prosecutorial agency for further investigation or prosecution.4
* * *5
§1461. Election offenses; penalties Bribery of voters; penalties6
A. No person shall knowingly, willfully, or intentionally:7
(1) Fail, refuse, or neglect to discharge any duty imposed upon him, either8
individually or in an official capacity, by any provision of this Title.9
(2) Being a commissioner, permit fraudulent votes to be cast, or knowingly10
count votes not entitled to be cast.11
(3) Have in his possession an official ballot in violation of any provision of12
this Title.13
(4) Offer, promise, solicit, or accept money or anything of present or14
prospective value to secure or influence a vote or registration of a person.15
(5) Forge, alter, add to, deface, take, destroy, or remove from proper custodial16
care any book, card, record, election return, nomination papers, withdrawals of17
candidacy, election supplies, election paraphernalia, or any affidavit or other18
document required or provided for under the provisions of this Title, unless required19
to be removed by a court of competent jurisdiction for inspection and photostatic20
copying for the court record.21
(6) Intimidate, deceive, or misinform, directly or indirectly, any voter or22
prospective voter in matters concerning voting or nonvoting or voter registration or23
nonregistration, including but not limited to any matter concerning the voluntary24
affiliation or nonaffiliation of a voter with any political party.25
(7) Vote or attempt to vote more than once at an election.26
(8) Offer money or anything of present or prospective value or use, directly27
or indirectly, any form of intimidation to influence the action or encourage inaction28
of any public official with regard to the duties of his office or to influence a29 SB NO. 615
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commissioner or watcher in his decision to serve or not to serve as such or in the1
performance of his duties on election day.2
(9) Disobey any lawful instruction of the commissioners or a law3
enforcement officer assisting at the polls, or without lawful authority obstruct,4
hinder, or delay any voter on his way to or while returning home from any polling5
place where an election is being held or on his way to or while returning home from6
a place where he can legally exercise a vote concerning candidate representation of7
his party.8
(10) Vote or attempt to vote, knowing that he is not qualified, or influence or9
attempt to influence another to vote, knowing such voter to be unqualified or the vote10
to be fraudulent.11
(11) Register, vote, or attempt to register or vote in the name of another or12
in an assumed or fictitious name, or in any manner other than as provided in this13
Title.14
(12) Have in his possession the registration certificate of another with intent15
to violate any provision of this Title.16
(13) Supply a false answer or statement to an election official or in any17
document required by this Title, or execute an affidavit knowing it to contain false18
or incorrect information.19
(14) Forge the name of another or use a fictitious name on an affidavit or20
document required under this Title.21
(15) Unlawfully, directly or indirectly, possess, tamper with, break, impair,22
impede, or otherwise interfere with the maintenance, adjustment, delivery, use, or23
operation of any voting machine or part thereof or with any of the paraphernalia24
connected with or appertaining thereto.25
(16) As a voter, commissioner, watcher, or person assisting a voter, allow a26
ballot to be seen, except as provided by law; announce the manner in which a person27
has cast his vote; place a distinguishing mark on a ballot with intent to make the28
ballot identifiable, or make a false statement concerning ability to mark a ballot29 SB NO. 615
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without assistance.1
(17) Give or offer to give, directly or indirectly, any money or thing of2
present or prospective value to any person who has withdrawn or who was3
eliminated prior or subsequent to the primary or first or second primary election as4
a candidate for public office, for the purpose of securing or giving his political5
support to any remaining candidates or to candidates for public office in the primary6
or first or second primary or general election.7
(18) Being a physician, certify to the disability of a voter under R.S. 18:1304,8
or certify that a person will be hospitalized on election day, knowing such9
information to be false.10
(19) Breach any mandatory provision of this Title.11
(20) Procure or submit voter registration applications that are known by the12
person to be materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent.13
(21) While in the voting booth assisting another person in voting, coerce,14
compel, or otherwise influence the assisted voter to cast his vote in a certain way.15
(22) Being a commissioner, fail to identify an applicant to vote as required16
by this Title.17
(23) Fail to submit to the parish registrar of voters a completed registration18
application collected through a registration drive within thirty days of receipt of the19
completed application from the applicant.20
(24) When assisting a voter in voting, fail to mark the ballot or vote in the21
manner dictated by the voter.22
B. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more23
than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. On24
a second offense, or any succeeding offense, the penalty shall be a fine of not more25
than two thousand five hundred dollars or imprisonment for not more than five years,26
or both.27
C.(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary and in28
addition to the penalties provided in Subsection B of this Section, any candidate who29 SB NO. 615
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is elected to public office and is convicted of an election offense as provided in1
Paragraphs (A)(4), (6), (10), (13), (14), and (17) of this Section that is related to his2
campaign for such public office shall forfeit such public office. If such conviction3
becomes final prior to the candidate taking the oath of office for such public office,4
the candidate shall forfeit the public office and shall not be allowed to hold such5
public office and such public office shall be declared vacant at the time such6
conviction becomes final. If the conviction for such election offense does not7
become final until after such candidate has taken the oath of office for such public8
office, then, at the time such conviction becomes final, he shall forfeit such public9
office and shall be, ipso facto, removed from such public office and such public10
office shall be declared vacant.11
(2) However, if such candidate held such public office at the time of the12
commission of the election offense, he shall be allowed to serve the remainder of the13
term he was then serving, but, at the time his conviction for the election offense14
becomes final, he shall forfeit the public office for the subsequent term. If he has15
taken the oath of office for the subsequent term, he shall, at the time the conviction16
for the election offense becomes final, forfeit such public office and shall be, ipso17
facto, removed from such public office and such public office shall be declared18
vacant.19
(3) Any vacancy in a public office occurring as a result of the provisions of20
this Subsection shall be filled as in the case of ordinary vacancies and according to21
the constitution and laws of the state.22
A.(1) Bribery of voters is the giving or offering to give, directly or23
indirectly, any money, or anything of apparent present or prospective value to24
any voter at any general, primary, or special election, or at any convention of25
a recognized political party, with the intent to influence, the voter in the casting26
of his ballot. The acceptance of, or the offer to accept, directly or indirectly, any27
money, or anything of apparent present or prospective value, by any such voters28
under such circumstances shall also constitute bribery of voters.29 SB NO. 615
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(2) Bribery of voters is also the giving or offering to give, directly or1
indirectly, any money or anything of apparent present or prospective value to2
secure or influence registration of a person or to secure or influence a person3
to sign or not sign a recall or other election petition.4
B. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more5
than two thousand dollars or be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not6
more than two years, or both, for the first offense. On a second offense, or any7
succeeding offense, the penalty shall be a fine of not more than five thousand8
dollars or imprisonment at hard labor for not more than five years, or both.9
C. In the trial of persons charged with bribery of voters either the bribe-10
giver or the bribe-taker may give evidence, or make affidavit against the other,11
with immunity from prosecution in favor of the first informer, except for12
perjury in giving such testimony.13
D. Any fine imposed and collected from the convicted person or persons14
under the provisions of this Section shall be paid to the informer or informers15
who shall give information resulting in the conviction of said person or persons,16
provided that the informer or informers shall not have been party to the17
violation of this Section as either the bribe-giver or bribe-taker.18
* * *19
§1461.2. Election offenses affecting registration and election fraud or forgery;20
penalties21
A. No person shall knowingly, willfully, or intentionally:22
(1) Vote or attempt to vote more than once at an election.23
(2) Vote or attempt to vote, knowing that he is not qualified, or influence24
or attempt to influence another to vote, knowing such voter to be unqualified25
or the vote to be fraudulent.26
(3) Register, vote, or attempt to register or vote in the name of another27
or in an assumed or fictitious name, or in any manner other than as provided28
in this Title.29 SB NO. 615
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(4) Forge the name of another or use a fictitious name on an affidavit or1
document required under this Title.2
(5) Procure or submit voter registration applications that are known by3
the person to be materially false, fictitious, or fraudulent.4
(6) Forge, alter, add to, deface, take, destroy, or remove from proper5
custodial care any book, card, record, voter registration application, election6
return, nomination papers, withdrawals of candidacy, election supplies, election7
paraphernalia, or any affidavit or other document required or provided for8
under the provisions of this Title, unless required to be removed by a court of9
competent jurisdiction for inspection and photostatic copying for the court10
record.11
(7) Have in his possession an official ballot in violation of any provision12
of this Title.13
(8) Have in his possession the registration certificate of another with14
intent to violate any provision of this Title.15
B. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more16
than two thousand dollars or be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not17
more than two years, or both, for the first offense. On a second offense, or any18
succeeding offense, the penalty shall be a fine of not more than five thousand19
dollars or imprisonment at hard labor for not more than five years, or both.20
§1461.3. Election offenses affecting registrars, deputy registrars,21
commissioners, watchers or officials, penalties22
A. No person shall knowingly, willfully, or intentionally:23
(1) Being a registrar, deputy registrar or commissioner, permit24
fraudulent votes to be cast, or knowingly count votes not entitled to be cast.25
(2) Fail, refuse, or neglect to discharge any duty imposed upon him,26
either individually or in an official capacity, by any provision of this Title.27
(3) Supply a false answer or statement to an election official or in any28
document required by this Title, or execute an affidavit knowing it to contain29 SB NO. 615
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false or incorrect information.1
B. Whoever violates any provision of Subsection A of this Section shall2
be fined not more than two thousand dollars or be imprisoned, with or without3
hard labor, for not more than two years, or both.4
C. No person shall knowingly, willfully, or intentionally:5
(1) Being a registrar, deputy registrar or commissioner fail to identify an6
applicant to vote as required by this Title.7
(2) Sign a voter's name in the precinct register.8
(3) Attempt to influence a commissioner or watcher in the performance9
of his duties on election day.10
(4) Disobey any lawful instruction of a registrar, deputy registrar or11
commissioner or a law enforcement officer providing assistance to maintain12
order at a polling place.13
D. Whoever violates any provision of Subsection C of this Section shall14
be fined not more than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned in the parish jail15
for not more than six months, or both.16
§1461.4. Election of offenses involving threats or intimidation of voters;17
penalties18
A. No person shall knowingly, willfully, or intentionally:19
(1) Intimidate, deceive, or misinform, directly or indirectly, any voter or20
prospective voter in matters concerning voting or nonvoting or voter21
registration or nonregistration, or the signing or not signing of a recall petition,22
including but not limited to any matter concerning the voluntary affiliation or23
nonaffiliation of a voter with any political party.24
(2) While in the voting booth assisting another person in voting, coerce,25
compel, or otherwise influence the assisted voter to cast his vote in a certain26
way.27
(3) Intimidate a person by the use of violence, force, or threats with the28
intent to influence that person's decision to vote or to impede such person's29 SB NO. 615
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ingress or egress from a polling place.1
(4) Without lawful authority, obstruct, hinder, or delay any voter on his2
way to or while returning home from any polling place where an election is3
being held or on his way to or while returning home from a place where he can4
legally exercise a vote concerning candidate representation of his party.5
B. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more6
than two thousand dollars or be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not7
more than two years, or both, for the first offense. On a second offense, or any8
succeeding offense, the penalty shall be a fine of not more than five thousand9
dollars or imprisonment at hard labor for not more than five years, or both.10
§1461.5. Election offenses involving bribery, threats or intimidation of public11
officials or candidates; penalties12
A. No person shall knowingly, willfully, or intentionally:13
(1) Offer money or anything of apparent present or prospective value or14
use, directly or indirectly, any form of intimidation to influence the action or15
encourage inaction of any pubic official with regard to the duties of his office.16
(2) Give or offer to give, directly or indirectly, any money or thing of17
apparent present or prospective value to any person who has withdrawn or who18
was eliminated prior or subsequent to the primary of first or second primary19
election as a candidate for public office, for the purpose of securing or giving his20
political support to any remaining candidates or to candidates for public office21
in the primary or general election.22
B. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more23
than two thousand dollars or be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not24
more than two years, or both, for the first offense. On a second offense, or any25
succeeding offense, the penalty shall be a fine of not more than five thousand26
dollars or imprisonment at hard labor for not more than five years, or both.27
§1461.6. Election offenses involving tampering with election equipment;28
penalties29 SB NO. 615
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A. No person shall knowingly, willfully, or intentionally:1
(1) Prior to an election, during transit to a polling place, during early2
voting, during election day voting or while in storage awaiting certification of3
election results, with intent to defraud, tamper with any voting equipment so as4
to attempt to influence the accurate and/or timely reporting of election results.5
(2) Unlawfully, directly or indirectly, possess, tamper with, break,6
impair, impede, or otherwise interfere with the maintenance, adjustment,7
delivery, use, or operation of any voting machine or part thereof or with any of8
the paraphernalia connected with or appertaining thereto.9
B. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more10
than ten thousand dollars or be imprisoned at hard labor for not more than five11
years, or both.12
§1461.7. Miscellaneous election offenses; penalties13
A. No person shall knowingly, willfully, or intentionally:14
(1) Fail to submit to the parish registrar of voters a completed15
registration application collected through a registration drive within thirty days16
of receipt of the completed application from the applicant.17
(2) As a voter, registrar, deputy registrar, commissioner, watcher, or18
person assisting a voter, allow a ballot to be seen, except as provided by law,19
announce the manner in which a person has cast his ballot, place a20
distinguishing mark on a ballot with intent to make the ballot identifiable, or21
make a false statement concerning ability to mark a ballot without assistance.22
(3) When assisting a voter in voting, fail to mark the ballot or vote in the23
manner dictated by the voter.24
(4) Being a physician, certify to the disability of a voter under R.S.25
18:1304, or certify that a person will be hospitalized on election day, knowing26
such information to be false.27
(5) Breach any mandatory provision of this Title28
B. Whoever violates any provision of Subsection A of this Section shall29 SB NO. 615
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be fined not more than one thousand dollars or be imprisoned for not more than1
one year, or both. On a second offense, or any succeeding offense, the penalty2
shall be a fine of not more than two thousand five hundred dollars or3
imprisonment for not more than five years, or both.4
C. No person shall:5
(1) Possess any beverage of alcoholic content in a polling place after6
having been directed by a registrar or deputy registrar, commissioner or law7
enforcement officer providing assistance to maintain order at the polling place8
to remove or dispose of the beverage.9
(2) Appear at a polling place in an intoxicated condition.10
(3) Carry or possess a firearm while present in a polling place, except a11
peace officer as defined by R.S. 40:2402(3)(a), in the performance of his official12
duties.13
D. Whoever violates any provision of Subsection C of this Section shall14
be fined not more than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than15
six months, or both. On a second offense or any succeeding offense, the penalty16
shall be a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment for not17
more than one year, or both.18
§1461.8. Election offense; candidate; forfeiture of office19
A. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary and in20
addition to the penalties provided in R.S. 18:1461 through 1461.7, any candidate21
who is elected to public office and is convicted of an election offense as provided22
in R. S. 18:1461, 1461.2(A)(2) or (4), 1461.3(A)(3), 1461.4(A)(1) and 1461.5(A)(2)23
that is related to his campaign for such public office shall forfeit such public24
office. If such conviction becomes final prior to the candidate taking the oath of25
office for such public office, the candidate shall forfeit the public office and shall26
not be allowed to hold such public office and such public office shall be declared27
vacant at the time such conviction becomes final. If the conviction for such28
election offense does not become final until after such candidate has taken the29 SB NO. 615
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oath of office for such public office, then, at the time such conviction becomes1
final, he shall forfeit such public office and shall be, ipso facto, removed from2
such public office and such public office shall be declared vacant.3
B. However, if such candidate held such public office at the time of the4
commission of the election offense, he shall be allowed to serve the remainder5
of the term he was then serving, but, at the time his conviction for the election6
offense becomes final, he shall forfeit the public office for the subsequent term.7
If he has taken the oath of office for the subsequent term, he shall, at the time8
the conviction for the election offense becomes final, forfeit such public office9
and shall be, ipso facto, removed from such public office and such public office10
shall be declared vacant.11
C. Any vacancy in a public office occurring as a result of the provisions12
of this Subsection shall be filled as in the case of ordinary vacancies and13
according to the Constitution and laws of the state.14
§1462. Acts prohibited during early voting or on election day; electioneering;15
intimidation; exceptions; enforcement; penalties16
A. The Legislature of Louisiana recognizes that the right to vote is a right that17
is essential to the effective operation of a democratic government. Due to a past,18
longstanding history of election problems, such as multiple voting, votes being19
recorded for persons who did not vote, votes being recorded for deceased persons,20
voting by non-residents, vote buying, and voter intimidation, the legislature finds21
that the state has a compelling interest in securing a person's right to vote in an22
environment which is free from intimidation, harassment, confusion, obstruction, and23
undue influence. The legislature, therefore, enacts this Subsection to provide for a24
six hundred foot campaign-free zone around polling places to provide to each voter25
such an environment in which to exercise his right to vote. Except as otherwise26
specifically provided by law, it shall be unlawful for any person, between the hours27
of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., to perform or cause to be performed any of the following28
acts within any polling place being used in an election on election day or within any29 SB NO. 615
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place wherein early voting is being conducted, or within a radius of six hundred feet1
of the entrance to any polling place being used in an election on election day or any2
place wherein early voting is being conducted:3
(1) To solicit in any manner or by any means whatsoever any other person4
to vote for or against any candidate or proposition being voted on in such election.5
(2) To remain within any such polling place or place wherein early voting is6
being conducted or within a radius of six hundred feet of the entrance of any such7
polling place, except when exercising the right to vote, after having been directed,8
in writing, by an election commissioner or law enforcement officer to leave the9
premises or area of a polling place or after having been directed, in writing, by a10
registrar or deputy registrar to leave the place wherein early voting is being11
conducted.12
(3) To hand out, place, or display campaign cards, pictures, or other13
campaign literature of any kind or description whatsoever.14
(4) To place or display political signs, pictures, or other forms of political15
advertising.16
(5) To circulate a recall petition or seek handwritten signatures to a17
recall petition.18
B. The provisions hereof shall not apply to the placing and displaying, either19
by the owner, lessee, or lawful occupant thereof, or with the consent of such owner,20
lessee or occupant, of political signs or pictures on private property which is not21
being used as a polling place.22
C. The provisions of this Section shall not be construed as prohibiting any23
appointed election commissioner or any official watcher from remaining in and24
about the polling place in which he was selected to serve.25
D. However, no appointed No registrar, deputy registrar, commissioner26
or election official shall wear any badge, button, pin, or other insignia identifying27
him with any political candidate or faction, nor shall any such official in any manner28
attempt to influence any voter to vote for or against any candidate or proposition29 SB NO. 615
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being voted on in the election being held in that polling place nor shall any such1
official carry or possess a firearm while present in the polling place.2
E. No registrar, deputy registrar, commissioner or election official shall3
in any manner attempt to influence any voter to vote for or against any4
candidate or proposition being voted on in the election being held in that polling5
place.6
D. No person shall:7
(1) Possess any beverage of alcoholic content in a polling place after having8
been directed by a commissioner or law enforcement officer assisting at the polls to9
remove or dispose of the beverage.10
(2) Appear at a polling place in an intoxicated condition.11
(3) Intimidate a person by the use of violence, force, or threats with the intent12
to influence that person's decision to vote or to impede such person's ingress or13
egress from a polling place.14
E.F. The duly constituted law enforcement officers of the political15
subdivision in which any such election is being held shall enforce the provisions of16
this Section when requested to do so by the a registrar, deputy registrar or17
commissioners. The election commissioners at the several polling places likewise18
shall enforce the provision of this Section. The registrar, deputy registrar and19
commissioners likewise shall enforce the provisions of the Section at the polling20
places. These The law enforcement officers and, commissioners, deputy registrars21
and registrar are authorized to seize, remove, and destroy any political cards, signs,22
pictures, or literature being used or displayed in violation of any of the provisions23
hereof.24
F. G. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more25
than five hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. On26
a second offense or any succeeding offense, the penalty shall be a fine of not more27
than one thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.28
§1463. Political material; ethics; prohibitions29 SB NO. 615
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* * *1
F. Whoever violates any provision of this Section may be punished by a fine2
not to exceed five hundred dollars or be imprisoned for not more than six months,3
or both. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more4
than two thousand dollars or be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not5
more than two years, or both.6
* * *7
§1465. Prohibited use of public funds8
* * *9
B. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more10
than five hundred one thousand dollars or be imprisoned, with or without hard11
labor, for not more than six months two years, or both. On a second offense or any12
succeeding offense, the penalty shall be a fine of not more than one thousand dollars13
or imprisonment for not more than one year, or both.14
* * *15
§1467. Conviction in fraudulent vote cases; prohibition from employment in16
elections17
Any person who has been convicted of any crime involving fraud or any18
violation of this Title while serving in the conduct of an election and in his capacity19
as a commissioner-in-charge, commissioner, watcher, or employee of a parish20
custodian of voting machines, or deputy of a clerk of court or of the civil sheriff of21
the parish of Orleans law enforcement officer, shall thereafter be prohibited from22
serving in any of the positions aforementioned in any election or in connection with23
any election.24
§1468. Contributions in return for endorsement; prohibition25
* * *26
C. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be guilty of a27
misdemeanor and shall be fined not in excess of five hundred dollars more than one28
thousand dollars or be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than29 SB NO. 615
SLS 10RS-942 ORIGINAL
Page 16 of 17
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
six months five years, or both.1
Section 2. R.S. 14:119 and 18:1300.6 are hereby repealed in their entirety.2
Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not3
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature4
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If5
vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become6
effective on the day following such approval.7
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Tim Prather.
DIGEST
Present law provides relative to the elections compliance unit.
Proposed law provides that a member of the Elections Compliance Unit may enter a polling
place during early voting or on election day for the purposes of checking the overall
operations of the polling place or investigating any potential violation of the election code.
Present law provides for general election offenses and penalties.
Proposed law provides for following specific election offenses:
(1)Bribery of voters.
(2)Election offenses affecting registration and election fraud or forgery.
(3)Election offenses affecting registrars, deputy registrars, commissioners, watchers or
officials.
(4)Election of offenses involving threats or intimidation of voters.
(5)Election offenses involving bribery, threats or intimidation of public officials or
candidates.
(6)Election offenses involving tampering with election equipment.
(7)Miscellaneous election offenses
(8)Election offense; candidate; forfeiture of office
Present law prohibited certain activities on election day.
Proposed law prohibited certain activities during early voting or on election day.
Present law prohibits certain political materials and imposes certain ethical standards and
imposes penalties for violation of present law including a fine not to exceed $500 or be
imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
Proposed law increases the penalty for violation of proposed law to a fine not to exceed
$2000 or be imprisoned, with or without hard labor, for not more than two years, or both. SB NO. 615
SLS 10RS-942 ORIGINAL
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Present law prohibited use of public funds and imposes a fine of not more than $500 or
imprisonment for not more than six months, or both. Provides that on a second offense or
any succeeding offense, the penalty will be a fine of not more than $1000 or imprisonment
for not more than one year, or both.
Proposed law increases the penalties for violation of present law to a fine of not more than
$1000 or imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not more than two years, or both.
Present law provides that the act of giving contributions in return for endorsement is
considered a misdemeanor offense and the violator will be fined not in excess of $500 or
imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.
Proposed law increases the penalty for violation of present law to a fine of not more than
$1000 or imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not more than five years, or both.
(Amends R.S. 18:49.1(C), 1461, 1462, 1463(F), 1465(B), 1467, and 1468(C); adds R.S.
18:49.1(D), 1461.2, 1461.3, 1461.4, 1461.5, 1461.6, 1461.7, and 1461.8; repeals R.S. 14:119
and R.S. 18:1300.6)