HLS 12RS-148 ENGROSSED
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 385
BY REPRESENTATIVE MORENO
ELECTION CODE: Provides relative to registration and voting by certain displaced
registrants
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 18:101(F), relative to voter registration and voting; to provide2
relative to qualifications for registration and voting; to provide relative to the3
residence of persons involuntarily displaced by the effects of certain states of4
emergency for such purposes; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 18:101(F) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows: 7
§101. Registration to vote; qualifications; more than one residence; presidential8
elections9
* * *10
F. A person who has been involuntarily displaced from his place of residence11
by the effects of a gubernatorially declared state of emergency shall not be12
considered to have vacated his residence and shall be considered to be an actual bona13
fide resident of the state and parish in which he is registered to vote unless he has14
either established a new domicile or has changed any of the following occurs: 15
(1) He changes his registration to an address outside the voting district.16
(2) He claims a homestead exemption pursuant to Article VII, Section 20 of17
the Constitution of Louisiana on a different residence.18 HLS 12RS-148 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 385
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
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)]
Moreno HB No. 385
Abstract: Provides that a displaced registrant shall not be considered to have vacated his
residence for purposes of voter registration and voting, unless he claims a homestead
exemption at a different residence.
Present law provides relative to qualifications for registering to vote. Provides generally that
every citizen of the state who is at least 18 or will attain that age on or before the next
election; who is an actual bona fide resident of the state and the parish, municipality, if any,
and precinct in which he offers to register as a voter; who is not disfranchised; and who
complies with the provisions of present law shall be eligible to register to vote in local, state,
and national elections held in the state.
Present law defines "resident" for purposes of voter registration and voting as a citizen who
resides in the state and in the parish, municipality, if any, and precinct in which he offers to
register and vote, with an intention to reside there indefinitely. Provides that if a citizen
resides at more than one place in the state with an intention to reside there indefinitely, he
may register and vote only at one of the places at which he resides. Provides further that if
a person claims a homestead exemption pursuant to present constitution (Const. Art. VII,
§20) on one of the residences, he shall register and vote in the precinct in which that
residence is located, subject to certain exceptions for residents of nursing and veterans'
homes.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that a person who has been involuntarily displaced from his place of
residence by the effects of a gubernatorially declared state of emergency shall not be
considered to have vacated his residence and shall be considered to be an actual bona fide
resident of the state and parish in which he is registered to vote unless he has either (1)
established a new domicile or (2) changed his registration to an address outside the voting
district.
Proposed law provides instead that present law applies unless (1) the person changes his
registration address or (2) he claims a homestead exemption at a different residence.
(Amends R.S. 18:101(F))