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 452 Original 2015 Regular Session Smith
Abstract: Provides for the manner of appointment of the registrar of voters and prohibits the
registrar, chief deputy registrar, and confidential assistant of the registrar from receiving an
increase in salary under certain circumstances.
Present law (R.S. 18:51) provides that there shall be a registrar of voters for each parish in the state,
who shall be appointed by the governing authority of the parish. Present law (R.S. 18:52) provides
that each registrar shall be a resident and qualified voter of the parish in which he is to perform his
duties.
Proposed law retains present law and provides for the manner of appointment of the registrar.
Provides that the registrar shall be appointed for a term concurrent with the term of the members of
the governing authority as follows:
(1)No later than 10 months prior to the end of the term of its members, the parish governing
authority shall advertise the upcoming appointment of the registrar of voters and solicit
applications in accordance with certain minimum requirements.
Advertising must be complete at least eight months prior to the end of the term, and the
deadline for submitting applications shall be no later than seven months prior to the end of
the term.
(2)The parish governing authority shall forward all timely-filed applications to the State Bd. of
Election Supervisors as soon as possible after the deadline for submitting applications.
(3)The State Bd. of Election Supervisors shall consider the applicants and send to the parish
governing authority a list of three recommended applicants who meet the qualifications
provided in present law (R.S. 18:52). If there are fewer than three applicants who meet the
qualifications, the list shall contain the names of all of the applicants who meet the
qualifications.
The State Bd. of Election Supervisors shall give particular consideration to education and
training, elections administration or voter registration experience, and ability to work with
technology.
The State Bd. of Election Supervisors shall send the list within the first 10 days of the
beginning of the term. (4)No later than the 60th day following the beginning of the term, the parish governing authority
shall appoint the registrar of voters from among the recommended applicants. The parish
governing authority shall give particular consideration to education and training, elections
administration or voter registration experience, and ability to work with technology.
Present law requires the parish governing authority to fill a vacancy in the office of registrar of
voters. Provides that until the appointment is made, the chief deputy shall perform the duties of the
registrar in a parish having a chief deputy. Provides that if there is no chief deputy, within 48 hours
after the office becomes vacant, the parish governing authority shall appoint a person temporarily
to perform the duties of the registrar until the parish governing authority fills the vacancy. Provides,
however, that if the parish governing authority neither fills the vacancy nor, in a parish having no
chief deputy, designates a person temporarily to perform the duties of registrar within 48 hours after
the office becomes vacant, the State Bd. of Election Supervisors shall appoint a person to perform
the duties until the parish governing authority fills the vacancy. Provides further that a person
appointed temporarily to perform the duties of registrar shall have authority to register voters in
accordance with law.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides that the parish governing authority must fill a vacancy within 30 days.
Proposed law provides instead that the parish governing authority must fill the vacancy within 60
days. Requires the parish governing authority to advertise the vacancy and solicit applications for
the office in accordance with certain minimum requirements. Requires advertising to be completed
within 30 days and the deadline for applications to be no later than 10 days after the completion of
advertising. Provides that the parish governing authority shall give particular consideration to
education and training, elections administration or voter registration experience, and ability to work
with technology.
Proposed law provides that the members of parish governing authorities who begin a term in Jan.
of 2016 shall appoint the registrar of voters for their parish in accordance with the provisions of
proposed law relative to vacancies as though a vacancy in the office of registrar of voters exists.
Present law (R.S. 18:55) provides relative to the compensation of registrars of voters, chief deputy
registrars, and confidential assistants of the registrars. Provides for a five-category population range
and 12-step pay scale for the salaries of registrars of voters, chief deputy registrars, and confidential
assistants of registrars. Provides for each registrar, chief deputy registrar, and confidential assistant
to automatically receive an annual salary increase to the next step on July first until his annual salary
equals the highest step of the appropriate population range. Further provides that each registrar,
chief deputy registrar, and confidential assistant whose salary is at the level of step one or higher
shall be evaluated as to merit in Jan. Provides that upon a finding of "excellent" on a merit
evaluation, the registrar, chief deputy registrar, or confidential assistant receives a salary increase to
the next step until the salary is equal to the highest step of the appropriate population range.
Provides, however, that no registrar, chief deputy registrar, or confidential assistant shall receive an
increase in salary as provided in present law during a time period when the State Civil Service Commission has suspended the authority to award merit increases to classified employees.
Proposed law retains present law and additionally provides that no registrar, chief deputy registrar,
or confidential assistant of a registrar shall receive an increase in salary as provided in present law
when the secretary of state has submitted a determination to the Dept. of State Civil Service that it
is necessary not to grant or to reduce performance adjustments in order to avoid or reduce layoffs.
Provisions of proposed law relative to the appointment of registrars of voters become effective if and
when the proposed amendment of Article XI, Section 5 of the Constitution of La. contained in the
Act which originated as House Bill No. 237 of this 2015 R.S. of the Legislature is adopted at a
statewide election and becomes effective.
Remaining provisions of proposed law become effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time
for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 18:51(A) and (C)(1), 55(F), and 59(M); Adds R.S. 18:51.1)