SLS 12RS-286 ENGROSSED
Page 1 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2012
SENATE BILL NO. 99
BY SENATORS GALLOT AND RISER
VOTERS/VOTING. Allow a parish governing authority to consolidate precincts as soon as
all entities in a jurisdiction which uses precincts for redistricting purposes have completed
redistricting.
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 18:532.1(C)(3)(a) and 532.1(D)(1), relative to the election code;2
to allow certain parish governing authorities to merge certain precincts; to provide3
for approval and review of certain precinct changes; and to provide for related4
matters.5
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:6
Section 1. R.S. 18:532.1(C)(3)(a) and 532.1(D)(1) are hereby amended and reenacted7
to read as follows: 8
ยง532.1. Changing boundaries9
* * *10
C.(1) * * *11
(3)(a) In addition to the requirements of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection,12
when the proposed precinct change involves a merger authorized by Paragraph13
(B)(2) and (D)(1)(b) of this Section, prior to adoption by ordinance, the parish14
governing authority shall submit proposed changes of the merger to the secretary of15
state. No change in a precinct merger may be made by the parish governing authority16
without prior review and approval by the secretary of state, except as provided in this17 SB NO. 99
SLS 12RS-286 ENGROSSED
Page 2 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Paragraph. Such review shall consist of a determination whether the proposed merger1
of the precincts establishes a precinct or precincts where all parts of each proposed2
new precinct are in the same state, local, and municipal office voting district.3
* * *4
D.(1)(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no election precinct5
shall be created, divided, abolished, or merged, or the boundaries thereof otherwise6
changed between January first of any year of which the last digit is nine and7
December thirty-first of any year of which the last digit is three.8
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1)(a) of this Subsection9
or R.S. 18:1903 to the contrary, the parish governing authority shall have the10
authority to merge precincts upon the parish governing authority certifying in11
writing to the office of the secretary of state that both the parish and all school12
boards within the parish have completed all redistricting which is required13
following the latest federal decennial census and has received preclearance14
pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.15
(i) A certified copy of the ordinance describing such precinct mergers,16
a written description of proposed new precinct boundaries, and a copy of a map17
clearly detailing the precinct boundaries within the parish shall be sent to the18
secretary of the Senate, and the clerk of the House of Representatives, the19
secretary of state, the clerk of court, and the registrar of voters of the parish20
within fifteen days after the adoption of the ordinance.21
(ii) No precinct merger shall become effective without prior review and22
approval by the secretary of state, the secretary of the Senate, and the clerk of23
the House of Representatives, or their designees.24
* * *25 SB NO. 99
SLS 12RS-286 ENGROSSED
Page 3 of 3
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Lauren Bailey.
DIGEST
Gallot (SB 99)
Present law provides that no election precinct will be created, divided, abolished, or merged,
or the boundaries be changed between January 1 of any year of which the last digit is nine
and December 31 of any year of which the last digit is three.
Proposed law provides an exception for mergers of precincts under certain circumstances.
Proposed law provides that a certified copy of the ordinance describing precinct mergers,
a written description of proposed new precinct boundaries, and a copy of a map clearly
detailing the precinct boundaries within the parish shall be sent to the secretary of the Senate,
the clerk of the House of Representatives, the secretary of state, the clerk of court, and the
registrar of voters of the parish within 15 days after adoption of the ordinance.
(Amends R.S. 18:532.1(C)(3)(a) and 532.1(D)(1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Senate and
Governmental Affairs to the original bill
1. Adds the secretary of the state and the clerk of court to the list of persons to
whom a certified copy of the ordinance, description and map of proposed
new precinct boundaries will be provided.