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)]
Wesley Bishop HB No. 501
Abstract: Allows persons who are least sixteen years of age to register to vote.
Present law (R.S. 18:101) provides that every citizen of La. who is at least 18 years of age and
meets certain other requirements shall be eligible to vote. Provides, however, that any person
who is 17 years old who is otherwise qualified to vote may register to vote at any time prior to
the first election at which the person shall have attained the age of 18.
Proposed law repeals provisions of present law relative to registration by a person who is 17
years old and provides that every citizen of La. who is at least 16 years of age and who meets the
other requirements of present law may register to vote.
Present law provides that no one under the age of 18 may vote in any election. Proposed law
retains present law.
Present law (R.S. 18:114) provides for voter registration at driver's license facilities. Provides
procedures and requirements. Provides that any person age 17 may register to vote at any time
prior to the first election at which he attains the age of 18 years.
Proposed law provides that any person who is at least 16 years of age, instead of 17 years of age,
may register to vote at any time prior to the first election at which he attains the age of 18 years.
Otherwise retains present law.
Present law (R.S. 18:173) provides for reporting by the Dept. of Health and Hospitals regarding
deaths. Requires the department to send a report each month to the registrar in each parish
regarding persons in the parish who died in the preceding month and to the Dept. of State
regarding persons in each parish in the state who died in the preceding month.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that the reports shall include information concerning persons who were at
least 17 years of age. Proposed law instead provides that the reports shall include information
concerning persons who were at least 16 years of age.
(Amends R.S. 18:101(A), 114(B)(1), and 173(A) and (D)(1))