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 a person who is sixteen years of age to register to vote by making application
in connection with an application to obtain a driver's license.
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. Provides that no one
under the age of 18 may vote in any election.
Proposed law retains present law. Additionally provides that a person who is 16 years of age
may register to vote in the manner provided in proposed law. However, provides that no one
under the age of 18 years shall be permitted to vote in any election.
Present law (R.S. 18:114) provides for voter registration at driver's license facilities. Provides
that each application to obtain, renew, or change the name or address on a driver's license or
identification card issued by the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections made by an applicant
who is 18 years or older shall also serve as an application for voter registration by the applicant
unless the applicant declines to register to vote through specific declination or by failing to sign
the voter registration application. Provides that in addition, 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. Provides that
no one under the age of 18 years shall be permitted to vote in any election.
Proposed law retains present law. Additionally provides that each application to obtain a driver's
license issued by the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections made by an applicant who is 16
years old shall also serve as an application for voter registration by the applicant unless the
applicant declines to register to vote through specific declination or by failing to sign the voter
registration application.
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 of voters 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.
Effective Jan. 1, 2015.
(Amends R.S. 18:114(B)(1) and 173(A) and (D)(1); Adds R.S. 18:101(A)(3))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs
to the original bill.
1. Limits proposed law voter registration by a person who is 16 years old by providing
that such a person may register to vote only by applying to obtain a driver's license
issued by the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections.
2. Provides that proposed law becomes effective on Jan. 1, 2015.
3. Provides that proposed law shall be known as the "Louisiana Motor Voter
Preregistration Act" instead of the "Louisiana Preregistration Voting Act".