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 640 Engrossed 2015 Regular Session Mike Johnson
Abstract: Increases criminal fines for bribery of voters.
Present law provides that bribery of voters is the giving or offering to give, directly or indirectly, any
money, or anything of apparent present or prospective value to any voter at any general, primary, or
special election, or at any convention of a recognized political party, with the intent to influence the
voter in the casting of his ballot. Provides that the acceptance of, or the offer to accept, directly or
indirectly, any money, or anything of apparent present or prospective value, by any such voters under
such circumstances shall also constitute bribery of voters. Provides that bribery of voters is also the
giving or offering to give, directly or indirectly, any money or anything of apparent present or
prospective value to secure or influence registration of a person or to secure or influence a person
to sign or not to sign a recall or other election petition.
Present law provides that whoever violates present law shall be fined or imprisoned, or both.
Provides for imprisonment, with or without hard labor, for not more than two years for the first
offense. Provides for imprisonment at hard labor for not more than five years for a second or
subsequent offense.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law provides for a fine of not more than $2,000 for the first offense and a fine of not more
than $5,000 for a second or subsequent offense.
Proposed law increases the fine for a first offense from not more than $2,000 to not more than
$4,000 and increases the fine for a second or subsequent offense from $5,000 to $10,000.
(Amends R.S. 18:1461(B))