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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
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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. (8/1/12)
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 Subparagraph (D)(1)(b) of this Section, prior to adoption by ordinance,14
the parish governing authority shall submit proposed changes of the merger to the15
secretary of state. No change in a precinct merger may be made by the parish16
governing authority without prior review and approval by the secretary of state,17 SB NO. 99
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except as provided in this Paragraph. Such review shall consist of a determination1
whether the proposed merger of the precincts establishes a precinct or precincts2
where all parts of each proposed new precinct are in the same state, local, and3
municipal office voting district.4
* * *5
D.(1)(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no election precinct6
shall be created, divided, abolished, or merged, or the boundaries thereof otherwise7
changed between January first of any year of which the last digit is nine and8
December thirty-first of any year of which the last digit is three.9
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1)(a) of this Subsection10
or R.S. 18:1903 to the contrary, the parish governing authority shall have the11
authority to merge precincts upon the parish governing authority's certifying12
in writing to the office of the secretary of state that both the parish and all13
school boards within the parish have completed all redistricting that is required14
following the latest federal decennial census and has received preclearance15
pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.16
(i) A certified copy of the ordinance describing such precinct mergers,17
a written description of proposed new precinct boundaries, and a copy of a map18
clearly detailing the precinct boundaries within the parish shall be sent to the19
secretary of the Senate, and the clerk of the House of Representatives, the20
secretary of state, the clerk of court, and the registrar of voters of the parish21
within fifteen days after the adoption of the ordinance.22
(ii) No precinct merger shall become effective without prior review and23
approval by the secretary of state, the secretary of the Senate, and the clerk of24
the House of Representatives, or their designees.25
* * *26 SB NO. 99
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
The original instrument was prepared by Lauren Bailey. The following
digest, which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was
prepared by Tammy Crain-Waldrop.
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.
Effective August 1, 2012.
(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.
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Makes technical amendments.