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 230 Engrossed 2016 Regular Session Smith
Abstract: Adds an additional day of early voting prior to the ordinary early voting period if one or
more holidays occurs during the ordinary 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.
Present law requires the registrar to observe the holidays which are provided by law or proclaimed
by the governor for state departments during any period for conducting early voting.
Proposed law retains present law. Provides that one day of early voting is added to the period
provided in present law if one or more holidays occurs on a weekday during that period. Provides
that the additional day is the first day preceding the period described in present law that is not a
Sunday or a holiday.
(Amends R.S. 18:1302(4) and 1309(A)(1))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill:
1. Specify that the holiday must be observed on a weekday for proposed law to apply.