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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
Regular Session, 2012 ENROLLED
SENATE BILL NO. 99
BY SENATORS GALLOT AND RISER
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) or 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
except as provided in this Paragraph. Such review shall consist of a determination18
whether the proposed merger of the precincts establishes a precinct or precincts19
where all parts of each proposed new precinct are in the same state, local, and20
municipal office voting district.21
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ACT No. 726 SB NO. 99 ENROLLED
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
D.(1)(a) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, no election precinct1
shall be created, divided, abolished, or merged, or the boundaries thereof otherwise2
changed between January first of any year of which the last digit is nine and3
December thirty-first of any year of which the last digit is three.4
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (a) of this5
Paragraph or R.S. 18:1903 to the contrary, if the legislature has completed the6
reapportionment required by Article III, Section 6 of the Constitution of7
Louisiana following the latest federal decennial census and has received8
preclearance pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the parish governing9
authority may merge precincts upon the parish governing authority's certifying10
in writing to the office of the secretary of state that the parish governing11
authority and all school boards within the parish have completed all12
redistricting that is required following the latest federal decennial census and13
have received preclearance pursuant to the Voting Rights Act of 1965.14
(i) A certified copy of the ordinance describing such precinct mergers,15
a written description of proposed new precinct boundaries, and a copy of a map16
clearly detailing the precinct boundaries within the parish shall be sent to the17
secretary of the Senate, and the clerk of the House of Representatives, the18
secretary of state, the clerk of court, and the registrar of voters of the parish19
within fifteen days after the adoption of the ordinance.20
(ii) No precinct merger shall become effective without prior review and21
approval by the secretary of state, the secretary of the Senate, and the clerk of22
the House of Representatives, or their designees. The secretary of state, the23
secretary of the Senate, and the clerk of the House of Representatives, or their24
designees shall send a report of the findings of the review to the parish25
governing authority within forty-five days after receipt of the proposed precinct26
changes. If the secretary of state, the secretary of the Senate, or the clerk of the27
House of Representatives, or their designees fail to respond within forty-five28
days after receipt of the proposed precinct changes, the proposed precinct29
changes shall be deemed to be approved by the official or designee who failed30 SB NO. 99 ENROLLED
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.
to respond.1
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PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA
APPROVED: