HLS 12RS-976 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. 578
BY REPRESENTATIVE DANAHAY
ELECTIONS: Provides relative to early voting at additional locations
AN ACT1
To enact R.S. 18:1309(L), relative to voting; to provide relative to early voting at certain2
locations; to provide relative to the days and hours of early voting at such locations;3
to provide relative to the authority and duties of registrars of voters and the secretary4
of state relative to early voting; to require notice; to provide for effectiveness; and5
to provide for related matters.6
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:7
Section 1. R.S. 18:1309(L) is hereby enacted to read as follows: 8
ยง1309. Early voting application and early voting9
* * *10
L.(1)(a) In a parish where early voting is conducted at an additional location11
pursuant to R.S. 18:1309.2, the registrar may fix the hours and days during which12
early voting shall be conducted at the additional location during the early voting13
period if such hours and days of voting are approved by the secretary of state no later14
than seven days after the close of qualifying for the election.15
(b) The registrar shall ensure that adequate notice is posted at the office of16
the registrar informing the public of the hours and days during which early voting17
will be conducted at the additional location, and the secretary of state shall post such18
notice on the secretary of state's website.19 HLS 12RS-976 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 578
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
(2) The provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not apply to1
early voting for gubernatorial or congressional elections.2
Section 2. 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
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)]
Danahay HB No. 578
Abstract: Authorizes the registrar to set the hours and days of early voting at additional
locations with approval of the secretary of state subject to certain limitations.
Present law provides procedures and requirements for early voting. Provides that early
voting is conducted during the early voting period at the office of the registrar between the
hours of 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Authorizes the registrar to provide for an alternate location
if the office space of the registrar is insufficient or inconvenient to accommodate early
voting. Requires the alternate location to be in the court house or a public building in the
immediate vicinity. Additionally authorizes the registrar to designate one branch office in
a public building where early voting may be conducted, and authorizes the registrar to fix
the hours during which early voting is to be conducted there. Provides for the designation
of an additional location for early voting in a parish that extends in one direction more than
50 miles and that is interspersed with navigable waters. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law authorizes the secretary of state to develop and implement a program for the
conduct of early voting at additional locations within any parish of the state. Provides for
review of the program by the legislative governmental affairs committees. Requires annual
reporting. Proposed law retains present law and provides that in a parish where early voting
is conducted at an additional location pursuant to present law, the registrar may fix the hours
and days during which early voting shall be conducted at the additional location during the
early voting period if such hours and days of voting are approved by the secretary of state
no later than seven days after the close of qualifying for the election. Requires the registrar
to ensure that adequate notice is posted at the office of the registrar informing the public of
the hours and days during which early voting will be conducted at the additional location,
and requires the secretary of state to ensure that such notice is posted on the secretary of
state's website. Provides that proposed law does not apply to early voting for gubernatorial
or congressional elections.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Adds R.S. 18:1309(L)) HLS 12RS-976 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 578
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill.
1. Adds a requirement that notice be posted on the secretary of state's website
informing the public of the hours and days during which early voting will be
conducted at the additional location.