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Regular Session, 2013
HOUSE BILL NO. 665
BY REPRESENTATIVE BARRAS
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
ELECTIONS: Provides relative to absentee by mail and early voting
AN ACT1
To amend and reenact R.S. 18:154(B), 1306(A)(2)(a) and (B)(1) and (3), (C)(1), (D),2
(E)(1)(introductory paragraph) and (f) and (2)(a), 1309(A)(1), (2), and (4), (D),3
(E)(1), (2), (3), (5)(b), and (6), and (F) through (L), 1309.3(B)(4)(b), 1310(C),4
1311(D)(4)(a), 1312(A), (B), (C), and (E), 1313(B), (E), (F)(introductory paragraph),5
(1), (2), (4) through (7), and (9), and (G) through (I), and 1315(C)(2) and (3), to6
enact R.S. 18:1309(M), 1309.1(D), 1311(C)(3), and 1313(J), and to repeal R.S.7
18:1306(F) and 1313(F)(10) and (11), relative to elections; to provide relative to8
procedures and requirements for absentee by mail and early voting; to provide9
relative to the confidentiality of certain records of a registrar of voters; to provide10
relative to absentee by mail and early voting materials; to provide for the time during11
which early voting occurs; to provide relative to the tabulation and counting of12
absentee by mail and early voting ballots; to provide relative to the duties of13
registrars and deputy registrars; to provide relative to the duties of the parish board14
of election supervisors; to provide relative to challenges of absentee by mail and15
early voting ballots; to provide for effectiveness; and to provide for related matters.16
Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:17
Section 1. R.S. 18:154(B), 1306(A)(2)(a) and (B)(1) and (3), (C)(1), (D),18
(E)(1)(introductory paragraph) and (f) and (2)(a), 1309(A)(1), (2), and (4), (D), (E)(1), (2),19
(3), (5)(b), and (6), and (F) through (L), 1309.3(B)(4)(b), 1310(C), 1311(D)(4)(a), 1312(A),20
(B), (C), and (E), 1313(B), (E), (F)(introductory paragraph), (1), (2), (4) through (7), and (9),21 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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and (G) through (I), and 1315(C)(2) and (3) are hereby amended and reenacted and R.S.1
18:1309(M), 1309.1(D), 1311(C)(3), and 1313(J) are hereby enacted to read as follows:2
§154. Records open to inspection; copying; exceptions3
* * *4
B. When twenty-five or more qualified voters of a parish request in writing5
that the registrar permit the copying of any part of his records, except the early6
voting applications of voters confirmation sheets, he shall allow this to be done by7
hand or otherwise, if so requested, unless such reproduction seriously interferes with8
the registration of voters or otherwise seriously interferes with the performance of9
the duties imposed on his office by law. In such instances, the registrar shall cause10
his employe es to make copies of the requested records or print the information11
electronically, if the electronic copy contains the same information, and deliver them12
to the voters or request the secretary of state to reproduce such records which may13
then be forwarded to the registrar for delivery to the voters. Copying by the registrar14
or his employees or the secretary of state or printing an electronic copy shall be done15
in the presence of a representative of the requesting voters, if they so request.16
* * *17
§1306. Preparation and distribution of absentee by mail and early voting ballots18
A.19
* * *20
(2)(a) Each ballot shall have printed on its face instructions informing the21
voter of the types of marks which may be used on that ballot to indicate his vote.22
Depending on the type of ballot used in an election, one of the following marks may23
be used by a voter to indicate his vote:24
(i) A cross [X] mark.25
(ii) A check [*] mark.26
(iii) A mark that is made by filling in the appropriate space or box.27
* * *28 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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B.(1) The secretary of state shall prepare absentee by mail and early voting1
ballot envelopes, early voting applications, absentee by mail and early voting2
instructions, certificates, and other absentee by mail and early voting balloting3
paraphernalia consistent with the provisions of this Chapter, subject to approval of4
the attorney general as to content. Notwithstanding the provisions of R.S. 18:13165
relating to distinguishing marks on absentee by mail and early voting ballots,6
absentee by mail voting instructions on absentee by mail ballots to be transmitted by7
facsimile in accordance with R.S. 18:1308(A)(1)(b) shall stipulate that the voter may8
mark his ballot with a cross [X] mark or a check [T] mark as provided in Items9
(A)(2)(a)(i) and (ii) of this Section inform the voter of the types of marks which may10
be used on the ballot to indicate his vote. When a court of competent jurisdiction, a11
registrar of voters, the secretary of state, or other competent authority determines that12
there exists a literate linguistic minority equal to more than five percent of the total13
population of any parish, the secretary of state, with approval of the attorney general14
as to content, shall prepare and furnish absentee by mail and early voting ballots,15
absentee by mail and early voting instructions, and certificates in the minority16
language in sufficient quantity to provide to each absentee by mail and early voter17
requesting voting material in that language.18
* * *19
(3) The secretary of state shall prepare early voting ballots and include with20
the election paraphernalia accompanying early voting ballots instructions approved21
by the secretary of state and the attorney general, which generally describe the22
particular early voting counting equipment used in the election to count early voting23
ballots or voting machines used to cast early voting ballots. The instructions shall24
inform the voter how to cast his vote, which shall include if applicable instructions25
for marking the early voting ballot and examples of the correct and incorrect26
methods of marking the ballot.27
C.(1) At least twenty days before each primary election and at least thirteen28
days before each general election, the secretary of state shall deliver to the registrar29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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in each parish in which the election is to be held the paper absentee by mail and early1
voting ballots, envelopes, early voting applications, certificates, instructions to be2
used in voting by an absentee by mail and early voting ballot in that election, and a3
statement, approved by the attorney general, explaining the scope and nature of any4
proposed constitutional amendment. The number of paper absentee by mail and5
early voting ballots and other necessary paraphernalia to be so delivered shall be up6
to ten percent of the registered voters within each parish.7
* * *8
D. An absentee by mail and early voting ballot envelope shall have printed9
on its face in red bold face type:10
FOR BALLOT ONLY11
VIOLATION OF ABSENTEE BY MAIL OR EARLY12
VOTING LAWS VOIDS BALLOT13
AND MAY RESULT IN CRIMINAL PENALTIES14
VOTING AT POLLS AFTER VOTING ABSENTEE BY MAIL15
OR DURING EARLY VOTING IS PROHIBITED16
AND MAY RESULT IN CRIMINAL PENALTIES17
E.(1) An absentee by mail or early voting ballot envelope also shall have a18
perforated extension or flap below the sealing line, which shall bear a certificate19
prescribed by the secretary of state and approved by the attorney general. The20
certificate shall include but not necessarily be limited to:21
* * *22
(f) An affidavit followed by a line for the handwritten signature or mark of23
the voter, certifying that the statements made by him are true and correct and that the24
voter is aware of the penalties for knowingly making a false statement therein, which25
penalties shall be stated on the certificate.26
* * *27
(2)(a) An absentee by mail or early voting ballot envelope flap shall also28
contain a line for the handwritten signature of one witness. The voter may sign the29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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certificate in the presence of one witness and in such a case, the voter shall not be1
required to obtain the signature of a notary public, but his certificate shall be made2
under penalty of perjury for providing false or fraudulent information. Above the3
perforation and along the seal line, the words "DO NOT DETACH FLAP" shall be4
printed.5
* * *6
§1309. Early voting application and early voting; verification7
A.(1) The periods period for conducting early voting application and early8
voting shall be from fourteen days to seven days prior to any scheduled election.9
(2) During the early voting period, the registrar shall maintain regular office10
hours, remaining open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Early11
voting on the last each day of the early voting will period shall terminate when all12
persons who were in line to vote at the close of the regular office hours of the13
registrar's office, as provided in this Paragraph, have been allowed to vote. If the14
office space of the registrar is insufficient or inconvenient to accommodate early15
voting, the registrar may provide for an alternate location to conduct early voting,16
which location shall be in the courthouse or in a public building in the immediate17
vicinity thereof, and in such case, adequate notice shall be posted at the registrar's18
office informing the public of the location where early voting is being conducted.19
* * *20
(4) A registrar shall observe the holidays which are provided by law or21
proclaimed by the governor for state departments during any period for conducting22
early voting application and early voting.23
* * *24
D.(1) Before any voter is allowed to vote during early voting, the registrar25
or his deputy shall establish the voter's identity by requiring him to submit a26
Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana special identification card issued pursuant to27
R.S. 40:1321, or other generally recognized picture identification card that contains28
the name and signature of the voter. If the voter does not have a Louisiana driver's29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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license, a Louisiana special identification card, or other generally recognized picture1
identification card that contains the name and signature of the voter, the voter shall2
complete and sign, in the presence of the registrar or his deputy, an a voter3
identification affidavit to that effect provided by the secretary of state, which4
affidavit shall include the voter's date of birth and mother's maiden name. If the5
voter is unable to read or write or is otherwise unable to complete the affidavit due6
to disability, the voter may receive assistance in completing the affidavit, and the7
registrar or his deputy shall make a notation on the affidavit. The voter may receive8
the assistance of any person of his choice, including the registrar or his deputy,9
except a candidate, the voter's employer or employer's agent, or the voter's union10
agent. The registrar or his deputy shall retain the affidavit in the office of the11
registrar of voters. If satisfied that the voter has identified himself as the voter12
registered in the state voter registration computer system or named on the precinct13
register or list kept by the registrar and that he is qualified to vote, the registrar or his14
deputy shall initial the precinct register or early voting list kept by the registrar15
opposite the voter's signature or mark. The voter then shall be allowed to vote. A16
voter who votes without the picture identification required by this Paragraph is17
subject to challenge as provided in R.S. 18:1315.18
(2) If the voter's name is found in the state voter registration computer19
system or precinct register on the inactive list of voters, the voter shall be required20
to complete an address confirmation card to determine his eligibility to vote.21
E.(1) Upon a voter's application to vote during early voting, the registrar or22
his deputy shall obtain the information required to be included on the list provided23
in R.S. 18:1311(A).24
(2) The voter's identity having been established as provided in Subsection25
D of this Section, the voter shall sign or make his mark in the precinct register or26
early voting list kept by the registrar prior to voting.27
(3) (2) The registrar or deputy registrar shall electronically generate the an28
early voting application confirmation sheet for each voter using the state voter29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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registration computer system or a form prepared by the secretary of state and retain1
the application confirmation sheet in the office of the registrar to be used by the2
registrar to verify each early voter at the end of the early voting period. If a paper3
ballot is used for early voting in lieu of a voting machine, the registrar or deputy4
registrar shall write "early voting paper ballot voter" across the early voting5
confirmation sheet for the voter and attach it to the paper ballot envelope.6
(3) The voter then shall be allowed to cast his vote in an area and in a7
manner that protects the secrecy of his vote.8
* * *9
(5)10
* * *11
(b)(i) In order to cast a vote on a paper ballot, a voter must make a selection12
for a candidate or for or against a proposition by completely filling in the oval to the13
right of a selection and returning the ballot to the appropriate election official within14
the applicable deadline set forth by law. If a voter makes selections for more than15
the number of candidates to be elected for an office or makes selections for and16
against the same proposition, the selections for that office or proposition will be17
void.18
(ii) If the paper ballot envelope contains a certificate on the envelope flap,19
the voter shall not be required to sign the certificate. The registrar of voters or20
deputy registrar shall write "early voting ballot" across the envelope flap and include21
the voter's name, ward, precinct, and registration number and attach it to the early22
voting confirmation sheet so that the ballot may be identified for purposes of a23
challenge filed pursuant to R.S. 18:1315.24
(6) If a person who votes during early voting at the registrar's office casts his25
vote on an incorrect ballot as provided to him by the registrar or his deputy and the26
time for early voting has not expired, the registrar or his deputy shall void the27
incorrect ballot write "void, challenge removal" and the reason for the challenge on28
the confirmation sheet, retain the confirmation sheet, and permit the voter to vote the29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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correct ballot using a paper ballot. The confirmation sheet shall be attached to the1
paper ballot envelope for review by the parish board of election supervisors on2
election day and for use by the secretary of state's office in removing the voided3
ballot from the voting machine as a challenged ballot on election day.4
F.(1) At the end of each day during early voting, the registrar shall document5
on the early voting verification form provided by the secretary of state for each early6
voting location each of the following:7
(a) The total number for the public counters of all early voting machines for8
the day.9
(b) The total number of early voting confirmation sheets for the day.10
(c) The total number of early voters from the state voter registration11
computer system for the day.12
(d) Any discrepancies or irregularities observed that prevent the total public13
counter number from matching the total early voting confirmation sheet number for14
the day and the total number of early voters from the state voter registration15
computer system for the day.16
(2) Each day, the registrar shall compare the information in the early voting17
confirmation sheets to the information contained in the state voter registration18
computer system. If the registrar finds any discrepancies, he shall make a note19
thereof on the early voting verification form or on a notice of irregularity form20
provided by the secretary of state that he shall attach to the early voting verification21
form.22
(3) At the end of the early voting period, the registrar shall complete the23
early voting verification form for each location and sign and certify to its correctness24
and print an early voter report from the state voter registration computer system25
listing all early voters from the parish. All early voting verification forms, early26
voting machine public counter logs, early voting confirmation sheets, early voter27
reports, and paper ballots voted during early voting shall be placed in the special28
absentee by mail and early voting envelope or container for delivery to the parish29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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board of election supervisors on election day for the tabulation and counting of early1
voting ballots.2
G. By no later than the fifth day before an election, the registrar shall have3
received from the branch office and all early voting locations all ballots, early voting4
applications, machine results cartridges, early voting confirmation sheets, early5
voting verification forms, early voting machine public counter logs, paper ballot6
envelopes, certificates, early voting lists or duplicate precinct registers, and other7
election paraphernalia. Immediately upon receipt of these materials, the registrar8
shall compare the information contained on each early voting application, the flap9
certificate of each ballot, and the signed lists with the information contained in the10
precinct register. If the registrar finds any discrepancies between the information11
contained on an early voting application or the flap certificate of a ballot envelope12
and that contained in the precinct register, he shall make a note thereof on the front13
of the ballot envelope or early voting application.14
G. H. Prior to delivery of the precinct register to the parish custodian, the15
registrar shall enter the word "absentee" and the date of the election in the proper16
space on ensure that the precinct register reflects for each voter who whether the17
voter voted during early voting and for each voter who voted or voted timely18
absentee by mail whose ballot the registrar had received on or before the last day for19
early voting using the words "voted by mail" and, if the register was not used during20
early voting, "voted early" in the signature line for the voter in the precinct register.21
H. I. In the event of the inability to utilize voting machines for early voting22
within a parish, the registrar may utilize paper ballots for early voting.23
I. J. Upon approval of the secretary of state, a registrar of voters may utilize24
commissioners selected and trained by the registrar of voters to assist the registrar25
during the early voting period in the conduct of early voting by his office. A26
registrar of voters shall, in seeking the approval of the secretary of state, indicate to27
the secretary the number of commissioners that is required for such assistance. A28 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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commissioner who assists the registrar in the conduct of early voting shall be paid1
in accordance with R.S. 18:426.1(3) for each day of such assistance.2
J.(1) K.(1) Only a certified commissioner may be selected to serve as an3
early voting commissioner.4
(2) A person to whom one or more of the following applies shall not serve5
as an early voting commissioner:6
(a) The person is a candidate in the election.7
(b) An immediate family member of the person is a candidate for election8
to public office in the election.9
(c) The person is marked for assistance in voting in the precinct register or10
requires the use of the audio ballot in voting.11
(d) The person has been convicted of an election offense enumerated in12
Chapter 10 of this Title.13
K. L. During early voting the registrar of voters shall make available to the14
public at each location where early voting is conducted copies of the state mail voter15
registration application forms.16
L.(1)(a) M.(1)(a) In a parish where early voting is conducted at an additional17
location pursuant to R.S. 18:1309.2, the registrar may fix the hours and days during18
which early voting shall be conducted at the additional location during the early19
voting period if such hours and days of voting are approved by the secretary of state20
no later than seven days after the close of qualifying for the election.21
(b) The registrar shall ensure that adequate notice is posted at the office of22
the registrar informing the public of the hours and days during which early voting23
will be conducted at the additional location, and the secretary of state shall post such24
notice on the secretary of state's website.25
(2) The provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not apply to26
early voting for gubernatorial or congressional elections.27 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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§1309.1. Preparation of machines for early voting; examination by candidate or his1
representative; sealing machines2
* * *3
D. The registrar of voters shall record the public and protective counter4
numbers for each early voting machine on a form prepared by the secretary of state5
for use in verifying the early voting results on election day.6
* * *7
§1309.3. Assistance in voting during early voting8
* * *9
B.10
* * *11
(4)12
* * *13
(b) The registrar or deputy registrar shall write the voter's name in the14
precinct register or early voting list kept by the registrar and the name of the person15
assisting the voter behind the tab for Assistance to Voters. The person assisting the16
voter, including a registrar or deputy registrar, shall sign his name behind the tab for17
Assistance to Voters.18
* * *19
§1310. Execution of certificate; marking of ballot; casting vote; assistance20
* * *21
C.(1) Any person who assists a voter in voting absentee by mail or during22
early voting if paper ballots are utilized in early voting, shall execute the23
acknowledgment on the ballot envelope flap prepared by the secretary of state,24
verifying that the person providing the assistance has marked the ballot in the25
manner dictated by the voter.26
(2) The registrar or deputy registrar shall follow the procedures contained in27
R.S. 18:1309.3 when paper ballots are used for early voting.28 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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§1311. List of absentee by mail and early voters; posting; delivery of alphabetized1
list to precincts; supplements; absentee by mail voter report2
* * *3
C.4
* * *5
(3) The registrar shall print an absentee by mail voter report from the state6
voter registration computer system listing all voters from whom he has received7
absentee by mail ballots before election day; he shall certify to the correctness of the8
report and deliver the report to the parish board of election supervisors on election9
day for use in the tabulation and counting of absentee by mail ballots.10
D.11
* * *12
(4)(a) If the voter has not voted in person at the precinct, the registrar shall13
instruct the commissioner-in-charge to mark "Absentee" "voted by mail" in the place14
where the voter would ordinarily sign the precinct register and to initial the precinct15
register opposite the word "Absentee" words "voted by mail". The registrar shall16
then include the first absentee by mail ballot received, if received timely, with those17
to be counted by the board, or, if the counting and tabulation of absentee by mail and18
early voting ballots has commenced, shall transmit such ballot to the board to be19
counted. Any second or subsequent ballot received from such person shall be20
considered as not timely received. Accompanying any such absentee by mail ballot21
shall be a statement certified by the registrar that he has verified that such voter has22
not voted in person at the precinct where he is registered to vote.23
* * *24
§1312. Retention of ballots at registrar's office25
A. All absentee by mail and ballots, early voting ballots machine results26
reports, early voting verification forms, early voting machine public counter logs,27
and early voting confirmation sheets, shall be retained in the office of the registrar28
of voters except as otherwise provided in this Chapter.29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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B. All absentee by mail ballots which are received timely shall be removed1
from the mail return envelope, if applicable, shall be arranged by ward and precinct2
and placed and retained in a special absentee by mail and early voting ballot3
envelope or container designated and used only for that purpose, and shall be4
delivered to the parish board of election supervisors to be counted and tabulated as5
provided in R.S. 18:1313.6
C. After the tabulation of the absentee by mail and early voting ballots on7
election night, the board shall replace the absentee by mail and ballots, early voting8
ballots machine results reports, early voting verification forms, early voting machine9
public counter logs, absentee by mail and early voter reports, and early voting10
confirmation sheets in the special absentee by mail and early voting ballot envelope11
or container and return the envelope or container to the registrar of voters. The12
registrar shall retain these absentee by mail and early voting ballots inviolate in the13
special absentee by mail and early voting ballot envelope or container inviolate until14
the delay for filing an election contest has lapsed, or, if an action contesting the15
election has been filed, until the judgment in the action becomes definitive.16
* * *17
E. Absentee by mail and ballots, early voting ballots, machine results reports,18
early voting verification forms, early voting machine public counter logs, early19
voting confirmation sheets, absentee by mail and early voter reports, applications for20
absentee by mail and early voting ballots, ballots, certificates, and other absentee by21
mail and early voting ballot paraphernalia associated with an election shall be22
retained for six months after an election as provided in R.S. 18:403, unless litigation23
is pending relative to such election. If litigation is pending relative to such election,24
such paraphernalia shall be retained in accordance with any applicable court order25
and until said the litigation is concluded.26 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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§1313. Tabulation and counting of absentee by mail and early voting ballots1
* * *2
B.(1) Absentee by mail and early voting ballots shall be counted at the office3
of the registrar of voters or at a public facility within the parish designated by the4
parish board of election supervisors registrar of voters at a time fixed by the parish5
board of election supervisors which time shall be set no earlier than 1:00 p.m. and6
no later than 8:00 p.m. on election day.7
(2) Prior to the counting of absentee by mail and early voting ballots on8
election day, any person authorized by the secretary of state may assist the registrar9
of voters in the challenge removal process on the early voting machines, in the10
reading of the early voting machine results cartridges on the secretary of state's11
equipment, and in producing the early voting machine results report. All early12
voting machine results reports shall be placed in the special absentee by mail and13
early voting envelope or container.14
* * *15
E. The board shall count the absentee by mail and early voting ballots and16
announce the results of the absentee by mail and early voting ballots after the closing17
of the polls as the total number of absentee by mail and early voting votes cast in the18
election for each candidate and the total number cast for and against each19
proposition.20
F. The procedure for counting absentee by mail or early voting ballots shall21
be as follows:22
(1) A member of the board shall remove the certificates and special absentee23
by mail ballots, early voter reports, and envelopes containing the absentee by mail24
and early voting ballots and early voting applications from the special absentee by25
mail and early voting ballot envelope or container.26
(2) The board shall announce the name of each absentee by mail or early27
voting voter and the ward and precinct where he is registered to vote, and shall28
compare the name on the certificate, early voting application, or on the flap of the29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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envelope containing the absentee by mail or early voting ballot with the names on1
the list of absentee by mail or early voting voters and on the supplemental list and2
early voter report.3
* * *4
(4) If the board determines that an absentee by mail or early voting ballot is5
valid, a member of the board shall write the word "absentee" words "voted by mail"6
and his initials on the list absentee by mail report beside the name of the voter as it7
appears on the list or supplemental list of persons who voted absentee by mail and8
shall sign his name in the space therefor which shall be provided on the list for the9
purpose report. If applicable, a member of the board shall tear the flap from the10
envelope containing the absentee by mail or early voting ballot and leave the11
envelope sealed.12
(5) If a majority of the members of the board determine that an absentee by13
mail or early voting ballot is invalid, the members shall leave the flap on the14
envelope containing the absentee by mail or early voting ballot, leave the envelope15
sealed, and a member of the board and shall write the word "rejected", together with16
the reasons for rejecting the ballot, across the envelope containing the ballot, across17
the early voting application, or across the certificate attached to the special absentee18
by mail ballot. He shall also write the word "rejected" and his initials on the19
absentee by mail voter report beside the name of the voter as it appears in the report.20
The rejected absentee by mail and early voting ballots, early voting applications, and21
certificates shall be replaced in the special absentee by mail and early voting ballot22
envelope or container. No rejected absentee by mail or early voting ballot shall be23
counted.24
(6) After the validity of all absentee by mail and early voting ballots has25
been determined, the members of the board shall place the valid early voting26
applications, certificates, and the flaps removed from the valid absentee by mail and27
early voting ballots in the envelope or container provided for that purpose and seal28 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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the envelope or container. Two of the members shall execute the certificate on the1
envelope.2
(7) The members shall open the envelopes containing the valid absentee by3
mail and early voting ballots and remove the ballots.4
* * *5
(9) If a ballot is physically damaged or cannot properly be counted by the6
counting equipment and the vote cast by the voter is clearly discernable from a7
physical inspection of the defective ballot, a true duplicate may be made of the8
defective ballot in the presence of witnesses and substituted for the ballot. The9
duplicate ballot shall be clearly labeled "duplicate", bear a ballot number which shall10
be recorded on the defective ballot, and be counted in lieu of the defective ballot.11
After a ballot has been duplicated, the defective ballot shall be placed in the special12
absentee by mail and early voting ballot envelope or container, and the duplicate13
ballot shall be counted with the other valid ballots.14
G. The procedure for counting early voting machine ballots and paper ballots15
voted during early voting shall be as follows:16
(1) A member of the board shall remove the early voting verification forms,17
early voting machine public counter logs, early voting confirmation sheets, paper18
ballots voted during early voting, early voter report, and all early voting machine19
results reports from the special absentee by mail and early voting ballot envelope or20
container.21
(2) The board shall review the early voting verification forms and early22
voting machine public counter logs and, if found to be acceptable to the board, sign23
each early voting verification form. If the board does not find an early voting24
verification form to be acceptable, it may review any early voting confirmation sheet25
and shall document its correction to the early voting verification form and then sign26
it.27
(3) The board shall announce the results from each early voting machine28
results report for the early voting ballots.29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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(4) For each paper ballot voted during early voting, the board shall announce1
the name of the person who voted by paper ballot during early voting and the ward2
and precinct where he is registered to vote and shall compare the name on the flap3
of the envelope containing the early voting ballot with the names on the absentee by4
mail and early voter reports.5
(5) The board shall determine the validity of challenges made in accordance6
with R.S. 18:1315.7
(6) If the board determines that a paper ballot voted during early voting is8
valid, a member of the board shall write the words "voted early" and his initials on9
the early voter report beside the name of the voter as it appears on the report. A10
member of the board shall tear the flap from the envelope containing the paper ballot11
voted during early voting and leave the envelope sealed.12
(7) If a majority of the members of the board determine that a paper ballot13
voted during early voting is invalid, the members shall leave the flap on the envelope14
containing the ballot, leave the envelope sealed, and a member of the board shall15
write the word "rejected" together with the reasons for rejecting the ballot across the16
envelope containing the ballot. He shall also write the word "rejected" and his17
initials on the early voter report beside the name of the voter as it appears on the18
report. The rejected ballot shall be placed in the special absentee by mail and early19
voting ballot envelope or container. No rejected paper ballot voted during early20
voting shall be counted.21
(8) After the validity of all paper ballots voted during early voting has been22
determined, the members of the board shall place the valid early voting confirmation23
sheets and flaps removed from the valid paper ballots voted during early voting in24
the envelope or container provided for that purpose and seal the envelope or25
container. Two of the members shall execute the certificate on the envelope or26
container.27
(9) The members shall open the envelopes containing the valid paper ballots28
voted during early voting and remove the ballots.29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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(10) The board shall, in accordance with the requirements of R.S. 18:1316,1
reject any ballot which contains a distinguishing mark or feature making the ballot2
susceptible of identification.3
(11) If a ballot is physically damaged or cannot properly be counted by the4
counting equipment and the vote cast by the voter is clearly discernible from a5
physical inspection of the defective ballot, a true duplicate may be made of the6
defective ballot in the presence of witnesses and substituted for the ballot. The7
duplicate ballot shall be clearly labeled "duplicate", bear a ballot number which shall8
be recorded on the defective ballot, and be counted in lieu of the defective ballot.9
After a ballot has been duplicated, the defective ballot shall be placed in the special10
absentee by mail and early voting ballot envelope or container, and the duplicate11
ballot shall be counted with the other valid ballots.12
(12)(a) Prior to utilizing any absentee by mail and early voting counting13
equipment, the parish board of election supervisors shall generate a zero tally to14
ensure that the equipment's candidate and question counters are set at zero and that15
no votes have been cast for any candidate or for or against any proposition.16
(b) The board shall sign and certify to the correctness of each zero proof17
sheet and place all zero proof sheets in the special absentee by mail and early voting18
envelope or container.19
(13) The absentee by mail and early voting votes cast for a candidate and20
those cast for and against a proposition shall be counted and the total number of21
absentee by mail and early voting votes cast for a candidate and those cast for and22
against a proposition shall be announced in the order the offices and candidates and23
propositions are listed on the ballot. The members of the board shall enter the total24
number of votes on the final absentee by mail and early voting vote report and shall25
certify the results.26
H. The final absentee by mail and early voting vote report prepared by the27
parish board of election supervisors shall be transmitted to the clerk of court28
immediately upon completion of the tabulation of the absentee by mail and early29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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voting ballots on election night, and a. A copy of the record shall be transmitted1
immediately to the secretary of state, and a copy of the record shall be placed in the2
special absentee by mail and early voting envelope or container.3
H. I. When the supplemental lists have absentee by mail and early voter4
reports have been returned to the registrar of voters, the registrar, based on the5
information contained in the lists reports, shall confirm that the word "absentee" is6
words "voted by mail" or "voted early" are written in the proper space on the precinct7
register for each voter who voted early or absentee by mail.8
I.(1) J.(1) Upon completion of the tabulation and counting of the absentee9
by mail and early voting ballots, the parish board of election supervisors shall return10
the absentee by mail and early voting ballots and electronic results report to the11
special absentee by mail and early voting ballot envelope or container, shall seal the12
envelope or container, and shall deliver the envelope or container to the registrar of13
voters. The registrar shall preserve the envelope or container and its contents14
inviolate and, except upon order of a court of competent jurisdiction, shall not allow15
the absentee by mail and early voting documents to be inspected by anyone until the16
delay for filing an action contesting the election has lapsed. If an action contesting17
the election is commenced timely, the registrar shall continue to preserve the18
envelope or container and its contents inviolate, subject to the orders of the court,19
until the final judgment in the action has become definitive.20
(2)(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection,21
if the number of absentee by mail and early voting ballots cast for all candidates for22
an office could make a difference in the outcome of the election for such office, upon23
the written request of a candidate for such office, the board shall recount the absentee24
by mail ballots by hand or scanning equipment and early voting ballots25
electronically, unless paper ballots were used for early voting and in such case, the26
ballots shall be recounted by hand for such office.27
(b) All recounts of absentee by mail and early voting ballots shall be held at28
10:00 a.m. or following the reinspection of voting machines on the fifth day after the29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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election and at any time ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. If the fifth day1
after the election falls on a holiday or weekend, such recount shall be held on the2
next working day at 10:00 a.m. or following the reinspection of voting machines.3
Any written request for recount of absentee by mail and early voting ballots shall be4
filed with the clerk of court. The deadline for filing a request for recount of absentee5
by mail and early voting ballots shall be the last working day prior to the date of the6
recount. Immediately upon receiving any request, the clerk of court shall7
prominently post in his office a notice of the time and place where the absentee by8
mail and early voting ballots will be recounted and the name of the candidate9
requesting the recount.10
(c) Upon completion of recount of the absentee by mail and early voting11
ballots, the board shall return the absentee by mail and early voting documents to the12
special absentee by mail and early voting ballot envelope or container, shall reseal13
the envelope or container, and shall deliver the envelope containing the absentee by14
mail and early voting documents or container and its contents to the registrar of15
voters who shall preserve the envelope and the absentee by mail and early voting16
documents contained therein or container and its contents in the manner provided for17
in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection.18
(d) The candidate requesting the recount shall be responsible for all19
reasonable costs associated with such recount.20
(3) A candidate or his representative, in the presence of a majority of the21
parish board of election supervisors, shall be allowed to inspect the flaps removed22
from the valid absentee by mail ballots and the flaps removed from the valid early23
voting ballots when paper ballots are used for early voting. All such inspections24
shall be held at 10:00 a.m. or following the recount of absentee by mail and early25
voting ballots on the fifth day after the election and at any time ordered by a court26
of competent jurisdiction. If the fifth day after the election falls on a holiday or27
weekend, such inspection shall be held on the next working day at 10:00 a.m. or28
following the recount of absentee by mail and early voting ballots. Any written29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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request for inspection shall be filed with the clerk of court. The deadline for filing1
a request for inspection shall be the last working day prior to the date of the2
inspection. Immediately upon receiving any request, the clerk of court shall3
prominently post in his office a notice of the time and place where the inspection will4
occur and the name of the candidate requesting the inspection. The candidate5
requesting the inspection shall be responsible for all reasonable costs associated with6
such inspection.7
(4) The parish board of election supervisors shall be entitled to8
reimbursement at the rate established in R.S. 18:423(E) for attending the recount of9
absentee by mail and early voting ballots and inspection, but not both if they are10
conducted on the same day. However, such reimbursement shall not be counted11
toward the six-day limitation provided in R.S. 18:423(E). No member of the parish12
board of election supervisors shall be reimbursed for attending a recount of absentee13
by mail and early voting ballots or inspection if such member received14
reimbursement for attending the reinspection of voting machines which was15
conducted on the same day as the recount of the absentee by mail and early voting16
ballots or inspection.17
* * *18
§1315. Challenge of absentee by mail or early voting ballot19
* * *20
C.21
* * *22
(2) If a challenge in accordance with the provisions of Subsection A of this23
Section is sustained, the vote shall not be counted, the ballot or early voting24
application confirmation sheet shall be placed in the special absentee by mail and25
early voting ballot envelope or container, and the board shall notify the voter in26
writing of the challenge and the cause therefor. This notification shall be on a form27
provided by the secretary of state and shall be signed by at least a majority of the28
members of the board. The notice of the challenge and the cause therefor shall be29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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given within three days by mail, addressed to the voter at his place of residence. The1
board shall retain a copy of the notification. However, if the challenge is based upon2
a change of residence within the parish or is based upon a change of residence3
outside the parish that has occurred within the last three months, the ballot shall be4
counted provided that the voter confirmed his current address as shown by the5
affidavit of the absentee by mail or early voting ballot envelope flap or early voting6
application confirmation sheet or, if the voter is on the inactive list of voters, as7
shown by the information provided on an address confirmation card.8
(3)(a) If a challenge in accordance with the provisions of Subsection B of9
this Section is sustained, the vote shall not be counted, the board shall write10
"rejected" and the cause therefor across the ballot envelope or early voting11
application confirmation sheet, and shall place the ballots and early voting12
applications confirmation sheets so rejected in the special absentee by mail and early13
voting ballot envelope or container. The board shall notify the voter in writing of the14
challenge and the cause therefor. The notification shall be on a form provided by the15
secretary of state and shall be signed by at least a majority of the members of the16
board. The notice of the challenge and the cause therefor shall be given within three17
days by mail addressed to the voter at his place of residence. The board shall retain18
a copy of the notification.19
(b) If a ballot is rejected pursuant to the provisions of R.S. 18:1316, the vote20
shall not be counted, the board shall write "rejected" and the cause therefor on a21
separate slip of paper and attach it to the ballot, and shall place the ballots so rejected22
in the special absentee by mail and early voting ballot envelope or container.23
* * *24
Section 2. R.S. 18:1306(F) and 1313(F)(10) and (11) are hereby repealed in their25
entirety.26
Section 3. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not27
signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature28
by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If29 HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become1
effective on the day following such approval.2
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)]
Barras HB No. 665
Abstract: Provides procedures and requirements for absentee by mail and early voting.
Present law (R.S. 18:1306) requires the secretary of state to prepare early voting ballot
envelopes, early voting applications, and other early voting balloting paraphernalia
consistent with present law. Provides for the content of the early voting ballot envelope.
Provides for the content of the early voting application. Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law provides relative to the preparation and distribution of absentee by mail ballots
and voting paraphernalia. Requires each ballot to have printed on its face instructions
informing the voter of the types of marks which may be used on the ballot to indicate his
vote. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that depending on the type of ballot used in an election, that a cross
mark, a check mark, or a mark that is made by filling in the appropriate space or box may
be used by the voter to indicate his vote. Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law requires the secretary of state at least 20 days before each primary election and
at least 13 days before each general election to deliver to the registrar in each parish early
voting paper ballots, envelopes, certificates, and instructions and early voting applications
to be used during early voting. Provides for the number of paper early voting ballots that
must be delivered. Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law provides for the content of the absentee by mail ballot envelope. Requires the
envelope to include a perforated extension or flap that bears a certificate. Requires the
certificate to include, among other things, an affidavit followed by the line for the
handwritten signature of the voter. Proposed law retains present law and specifies that the
line shall be for the handwritten signature or mark of the voter.
Present law (R.S. 18:1309) provides relative to early voting application and early voting.
Provides procedures and requirements. Requires the registrar during the early voting period
to maintain regular office hours, remaining open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday
through Saturday. Provides that early voting on the last day of voting terminates when all
persons who were in line to vote at the close of the regular office hours of the registrar's
office have been allowed to vote. Proposed law provides instead that early voting each day
of the early voting period shall terminate when all persons who were in line to vote at the
close of the registrar's office have been allowed to vote. Otherwise retains present law.
Present law requires the registrar or deputy registrar to establish each voter's identity prior
to allowing the voter to vote. Requires a voter to submit a La. driver's license, La. special
identification card, or other generally recognized picture identification card containing the
name and signature of the voter or to complete and sign an affidavit. Proposed law retains
present law and refers to the affidavit as a voter identification affidavit.
Present law requires the registrar or deputy registrar to use the precinct register or list kept
by the registrar to establish the identity of the voter. Proposed law repeals the list kept by HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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the registrar as a means to identify a voter and provides instead that the registrar may use the
state voter registration computer system or the precinct register. Provides that the registrar
may initial the precinct register or the list kept by the registrar after establishing the identity
of the voter.
Present law provides for application to vote during early voting. Provides for the content
of an early voting application. Proposed law repeals present law. Provides that the registrar
or deputy registrar shall generate an early voting confirmation sheet for each voter using the
state voter registration computer system or a form prepared by the secretary of state, which
sheet shall be used to verify each early voter at the end of the early voting period.
Present law provides for using paper ballots during early voting under certain circumstances.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that if the paper ballot envelope contains a
certificate on the envelope flap, the voter shall not be required to sign the certificate.
Provides that the registrar of voters or deputy registrar shall write "early voting ballot" across
the envelope flap and include the voter's name, ward, precinct, and registration number and
attach it to the early voting confirmation sheet so that the ballot may be identified for
purposes of a challenge filed pursuant to present law (R.S. 18:1315).
Proposed law provides that at the end of each day during early voting, the registrar shall
document on the early voting verification form provided by the secretary of state for each
early voting location each of the following:
(1)The total number for the public counters of all early voting machines for the day.
(2)The total number of early voting confirmation sheets for the day.
(3)The total number of early voters from the state voter registration computer system.
(4)Any discrepancies or irregularities observed that prevent the total public counter
number from matching the total early voting confirmation sheet number for the day
and the total number of early voters from the state voter registration computer system
for the day.
Proposed law provides that each day the registrar shall compare the early voting
confirmation sheets to the information contained in the state voter registration computer
system. Provides that if the registrar finds any discrepancies, he shall make a note thereof
on the early voting verification form or on a notice of irregularity form provided by the
secretary of state that he shall attach to the early voting verification form.
Proposed law provides that at the end of the early voting period, the registrar shall complete
the early voting verification form for each location and sign and certify to its correctness and
print an early voter report from the state voter registration computer system listing all early
voters from the parish. Provides that all early voting verification forms, early voting
machine public counter logs, early voting confirmation sheets, early voter reports, and paper
ballots voted during early voting shall be placed in the special absentee by mail and early
voting envelope or container for delivery to the parish board of election supervisors on
election day for the tabulation and counting of early voting ballots.
Present law requires that the registrar receive election paraphernalia from branch offices no
later than five days before the election. Proposed law changes the deadline to the day before
the election. Specifies the election paraphernalia that must be received.
Present law requires the registrar to compare information contained on the early voting
application with the information on ballot envelopes and contained in the precinct register.
Requires him to make note of discrepancies. Proposed law repeals present law. HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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are additions.
Present law provides that prior to delivery of the precinct register to the parish custodian, the
registrar shall enter the word "absentee" and the date of the election in the proper space on
the precinct register for each voter who voted during early voting and for each voter who
voted absentee by mail whose ballot the registrar had received on or before the last day for
early voting. Proposed law provides instead that the registrar shall ensure that the precinct
register reflects for each voter whether the voter voted during early voting or voted timely
absentee by mail using the words "voted by mail" and, if the register was not used during
early voting, "voted early" in the signature line for the voter in the precinct register.
Present law (R.S. 18:1309.1) provides procedures for the preparation, testing, and sealing
of machines for early voting. Provides for observation by a candidate or his representative.
Requires the parish board of election supervisors to generate a zero tally to ensure that the
voting machine's public counter is set at zero and that no votes have been cast for any
candidate or for or against any proposition. Proposed law retains present law and
additionally requires the registrar to record the public and protective counter numbers for
each early voting machine on a form prepared by the secretary of state for use in verifying
the early voting results on election day.
Present law (R.S. 18:1309.3) provides for assistance during early voting. Provides
procedures and requirements. Proposed law retains present law and expressly provides that
the procedures in present law shall be followed when paper ballots are used during early
voting.
Present law (R.S. 18:1311) provides relative to absentee by mail ballots received from
military and overseas voters on election day. Requires the registrar and commissioner-in-
charge to mark the precinct register "Absentee" in the place where the voter would ordinarily
sign the register. Proposed law requires the precinct register to be marked "voted by mail"
instead of "Absentee". Otherwise retains present law.
Proposed law requires the registrar to print an absentee by mail voter report from the state
voter registration computer system listing all voters from whom he has received absentee by
mail ballots before election day. Requires the registrar to certify to the correctness of the
report and deliver the report to the parish board of election supervisors on election day for
use in the tabulation and counting of absentee by mail ballots.
Present law (R.S. 18:1312) requires the parish board of election supervisors to return to the
registrar and for the registrar to retain in his office all absentee by mail and early voting
ballots. Provides requirements for retaining the materials. Proposed law repeals present law
requirements relative to early voting ballots. Additionally, requires the board to return and
the registrar to keep early voting machine results reports, early voting verification forms,
early voting machine public counter logs, and early voting confirmation sheets.
Present law (R.S. 18:1313) provides for the tabulation and counting of absentee by mail and
early voting ballots. Provides that the parish board of election supervisors shall be
responsible for the counting and tabulation of all absentee by mail and early voting ballots
in the parish and provides procedures therefor.
Present law provides that absentee by mail and early voting ballots shall be counted at the
office of the registrar of voters or at a public facility within the parish designated by the
parish board of election supervisors. Proposed law provides instead that absentee by mail
and early voting ballots shall be counted at a public facility within the parish designated by
the registrar of voters.
Proposed law additionally provides that prior to the counting of absentee by mail and early
voting ballots on election day, any person authorized by the secretary of state may assist the
registrar of voters in the challenge removal process on the early voting machines, in the
reading of the early voting machine results cartridges on the secretary of state's equipment,
and in producing the early voting machine results report. Provides that all early voting HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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machine results reports shall be placed in the special absentee by mail and early voting
envelope or container.
Present law provides procedures that apply to the counting of absentee by mail and early
voting ballots. Proposed law amends present law so that present law applies to the counting
of absentee by mail ballots. Provides separate procedures for counting early voting ballots
as follows:
(1)A member of the board shall remove the early voting verification forms, early voting
machine public counter logs, early voting confirmation sheets, paper ballots voted
during early voting, early voter report, and all early voting machine results reports
from the special absentee by mail and early voting ballot envelope or container.
(2)The board shall review the early voting verification forms and early voting machine
public counter logs and, if found to be acceptable to the board, sign each early voting
verification form. If the board does not find a voting verification form to be
acceptable, it may review any early voting confirmation sheet and shall document
its correction to the early voting verification form and then sign it.
(3)The board shall announce the results from each early voting machine results report
for the early voting ballots.
(4)For each paper ballot voted during early voting, the board shall announce the name
of the person who voted by paper ballot during early voting and the ward and
precinct where he is registered to vote and shall compare the name on the flap of the
envelope containing the early voting ballot with the names on the absentee by mail
and early voter reports.
(5)The board shall determine the validity of challenges made in accordance with present
law (R.S. 18:1315).
(6)If the board determines that a paper ballot voted during early voting is valid, a
member of the board shall write the words "voted early" and his initials on the early
voter report beside the name of the voter as it appears on the report. A member of
the board shall tear the flap from the envelope containing the paper ballot voted
during early voting and leave the envelope sealed.
(7)If a majority of the members of the board determine that a paper ballot voted during
early voting is invalid, the members shall leave the flap on the envelope containing
the ballot, leave the envelope sealed, and write the word "rejected" together with the
reasons for rejecting the ballot across the envelope containing the ballot. He shall
also write the word "rejected" and his initials on the early voter report beside the
name of the voter as it appears on the report. The rejected ballot shall be placed in
the special absentee by mail and early voting ballot envelope or container. No
rejected paper ballot voted during early voting shall be counted.
(8)After the validity of all paper ballots voted during early voting has been determined,
the members of the board shall place the valid early voting confirmation sheets and
flaps removed from the valid paper ballots voted during early voting in the envelope
or container provided for that purpose and seal the envelope or container. Two of
the members shall execute the certificate on the envelope or container.
(9)The members shall open the envelopes containing the valid paper ballots voted
during early voting and remove the ballots.
(10)The board shall, in accordance with the requirements of present law (R.S. 18:1316),
reject any ballot which contains a distinguishing mark or feature making the ballot
susceptible of identification. HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
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(11)If a ballot is physically damaged or cannot properly be counted by the counting
equipment and the vote cast by the voter is clearly discernible from a physical
inspection of the defective ballot, a true duplicate may be made of the defective
ballot in the presence of witnesses and substituted for the ballot. The duplicate ballot
shall be clearly labeled "duplicate", bear a ballot number which shall be recorded on
the defective ballot, and be counted in lieu of the defective ballot. After a ballot has
been duplicated, the defective ballot shall be placed in the special absentee by mail
and early voting ballot envelope or container, and the duplicate ballot shall be
counted with the other valid ballots.
(12)Prior to utilizing any absentee by mail and early voting counting equipment, the
parish board of election supervisors shall generate a zero tally to ensure that the
equipment's candidate and question counters are set at zero and that no votes have
been cast for any candidate or for or against any proposition.
(13)The board shall sign and certify to the correctness of each zero proof sheet and place
all zero proof sheets in the special absentee by mail and early voting envelope or
container.
(14)The absentee by mail and early voting votes cast for a candidate and those cast for
and against a proposition shall be counted and the total number of absentee by mail
and early voting votes cast for a candidate and those cast for and against a
proposition shall be announced in the order the offices and candidates and
propositions are listed on the ballot. The members of the board shall enter the total
number of votes on the final absentee by mail and early voting vote report and shall
certify the results.
Present law (R.S. 18:1315) provides relative to challenges of absentee by mail and early
voting ballots. Provides procedures and deadlines. Specifies who may bring a challenge and
the grounds for challenges. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that the parish board of election supervisors shall determine the validity
of challenges made pursuant to present law. Provides that if a majority of the board
determines that an absentee by mail ballot is invalid, the members shall leave the flap on the
envelope containing the absentee by mail ballot, leave the envelope sealed, and write the
word "rejected" together with the reasons for rejecting the ballot across the certificate
attached to the special absentee by mail ballot. Provides that a rejected ballot shall not be
counted.
Proposed law retains present law and additionally provides that a member of the board shall
write the word "rejected" and his initials on the absentee by mail voter report beside the
name of the voter as it appears on the report.
Present law provides that if a challenge is sustained, the early voting ballot application is
used and retained in connection therewith. Proposed law provides that the early voting
confirmation sheet is used and retained instead of the early voting application.
Present law (R.S. 18:154) prohibits the registrar and the Dept. of State from disclosing early
voting applications of voters. Proposed law repeals present law and instead prohibits the
disclosure of early voting confirmation sheets.
Proposed law makes various technical changes.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 18:154(B), 1306(A)(2)(a) and (B)(1) and (3), (C)(1), (D), (E)(1)(intro. para.)
and (f) and (2)(a), 1309(A)(1), (2), and (4), (D), (E)(1), (2), (3), (5)(b), and (6), and (F)–(L),
1309.3(B)(4)(b), 1310(C), 1311(D)(4)(a), 1312(A), (B), (C), and (E), 1313(B), (E), (F)(intro. HLS 13RS-544 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 665
Page 28 of 28
CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.
para.), (1), (2), (4)–(7), and (9), and (G)–(I), and 1315(C)(2) and (3); Adds R.S.
18:1306(E)(2)(c), 1309(M), 1309.1(D), 1311(C)(3), and 1313(J); Repeals R.S. 18:1306(F),
1313(F)(10) and (11))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill.
1. Adds provisions deleting present law references to cross marks, check marks,
and filling in spaces in connection with executing absentee by mail ballots.
2. Adds provisions requiring the registrar of voters to print an absentee by mail
voter report from the state voter registration computer system listing all voters
from whom he has received absentee by mail ballots before election day; to
certify to the correctness of the report; and to deliver the report to the parish
board of election supervisors on election day for use in the tabulation and
counting of absentee by mail ballots.
3. Changes references in proposed law to the absentee by mail and early voter
report to refer to either the absentee by mail voter report, the early voter report,
or to both reports, as appropriate.
4. Adds provisions amending present law relative to the parish board of election
supervisor's determination that an absentee by mail ballot is invalid. Requires
a member of the board to write the word "rejected" and his initials on the
absentee by mail voter report beside the name of the voter as it appears on the
report.
5. Adds provisions to provide that the registrar of voters instead of the parish board
of election supervisors designates the place where absentee by mail and early
voting ballots are to be counted.
6. Makes technical changes.