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)]
HB 348 Original 2015 Regular Session Hunter
Abstract: Requires the registrar to remain open on Sunday during the early voting period to allow
for early voting, repeals provisions allowing the registrar to determine the time during which
early voting takes place at certain locations, and repeals provisions requiring the registrar to
observe certain holidays during the early voting period.
Present law (R.S. 18:1309) provides that the early voting period for an election is the period from
14 days to seven days prior to the election. Requires the office of the registrar to be open from 8:30
a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on each day that the registrar is required to be open during the early voting period.
Provides that early voting on each day of the early voting period 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 retains present law.
Present law does not provide for the office of the registrar to be open on Sunday during the early
voting period. Proposed law repeals present law and requires the office of the registrar to be open
every day during the early voting period.
Present law requires the registrar to observe the holidays provided by present law or proclaimed by
the governor for state departments during the early voting period. Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law authorizes the registrar to designate one branch office, in addition to the office of the
registrar, in a public building where early voting may also be conducted. Authorizes the registrar
to designate an additional branch office for early voting in a parish that extends in one direction more
than 50 miles and that is interspersed with navigable waters.
Present law (R.S. 18:1309.2) authorizes the secretary of state to develop and implement a program
for the conduct of early voting at additional locations within any parish of the state.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law authorizes the registrar to fix the hours during which early voting is to be conducted at
branch offices and additional locations under certain circumstances. Proposed law repeals present
law and provides that the hours and days during which early voting is conducted at branch offices
and additional locations is as provided in proposed law. Present law provides that election expenses incurred by a registrar of voters and his permanent
employees to perform election duties and responsibilities associated with early voting on any day
during the week between 4:30 p.m. and the time that early voting terminates that day and on any
Saturday on which early voting is conducted shall be paid by the state from funds appropriated to
the secretary of state for that purpose.
Proposed law retains present law and additionally provides that election expenses incurred by a
registrar of voters and his permanent employees to perform election duties and responsibilities
associated with early voting on any day that is a holiday provided by present law or proclaimed by
the governor for state departments and on any Sunday on which early voting is conducted shall be
paid by the state from funds appropriated to the secretary of state for that purpose.
(Amends R.S. 18:1309(A)(2), (B)(1), (C), and (M) and 1400.8; Repeals R.S. 18:1309(A)(4))