HLS 12RS-201 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
HOUSE BILL NO. 603
BY REPRESENTATIVE DIXON
VOTING/REGISTRATION: Provides that the registration records for a general election do
not close for first-time registrants prior to two business days after the primary
election
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 18:135(A)(1) and to enact R.S. 18:104(A)(7.1), relative to2
registration of voters; to provide relative to application for voter registration; to3
provide for the content of the application form; to provide for the close of4
registration records; to provide for definitions; and to provide for related matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 18:135(A)(1) is hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.7
18:104(A)(7.1) is hereby enacted to read as follows: 8
§104. Application for registration; form9
A. The secretary of state, subject to approval by the attorney general as to10
content, shall prescribe the form that shall be used uniformly by each registrar in the11
state and any person authorized to accept voter registration applications in registering12
qualified citizens to vote. The form shall contain spaces for at least the following13
information with respect to the applicant:14
* * *15
(7.1) Whether the applicant has previously been registered to vote in16
Louisiana.17
* * *18 HLS 12RS-201 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 603
Page 2 of 2
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
§135. Close of registration1
A.(1)(a) Registrars shall close the registration records thirty days prior to an2
election. However, if the deadline falls on a legal holiday, the registrars shall close3
the registration records on the first day after such holiday which is not a Saturday,4
Sunday, or other legal holiday.5
(b)(i) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph,6
for a general election, registrars shall close the registration records as provided in7
Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph or two business days after the primary election,8
whichever is later, for first-time registrants.9
(ii) For purposes of this Subparagraph, “first-time registrant” means a person10
who seeks to register to vote and who has not previously been registered to vote in11
Louisiana.12
* * *13
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)]
Dixon HB No. 603
Abstract: Provides that for persons who have not been previously registered to vote in La.,
registration records do not close for a general election earlier than the second day
after the primary election.
Present law provides procedures and requirements for registering to vote. Authorizes the
secretary of state to prescribe a form to be used uniformly by each registrar in the state and
any person authorized to accept voter registration applications in registering qualified
citizens to vote. Requires certain information to be included on the form. Proposed law
retains present law and adds to the information required to be included in the form whether
the applicant has previously been registered to vote in La.
Present law provides relative to the close of registration records. Generally requires the
registrar to close the registration records 30 days prior to an election, unless the deadline
falls on a legal holiday, in which case the deadline is moved to the next day that is not a
holiday. Provides that the registration records may be closed at a later time under certain
circumstances involving emergencies. Proposed law retains present law but provides that
for a general election, registrars shall close the registration records as provided in present
law or two business days after the primary election, whichever is later, for first-time
registrants. Defines "first-time registrant" as a person who seeks to register to vote and who
has not previously been registered to vote in La.
(Amends R.S. 18:135(A)(1); Adds R.S. 18:104(A)(7.1))