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 377 Original 2016 Regular Session Danahay
Abstract: Requires a notice of the retirement or resignation of a registrar of voters to be filed with
the secretary of state.
Present constitution requires the governing authority of each parish to appoint a registrar of voters,
whose compensation, removal from office for cause, bond, powers, and functions shall be provided
by law.
Present law requires the parish governing authority to fill a vacancy in the office of registrar of voters
within 30 days after the date on which the vacancy occurs. 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. Additionally, requires a registrar to file a notice of retirement or
resignation with the secretary of state. Provides that the notice shall be in writing, shall be dated,
may specify a prospective date on which the retirement or resignation is to be effective, and shall be
signed by the registrar and duly acknowledged by him before an officer authorized to administer
oaths. Provides that upon receiving a notice of retirement or resignation from a registrar, the
secretary of state shall immediately transmit a copy of the notice to the governing authority for the
parish of the registrar who filed the notice. Provides further that a notice of retirement or resignation
of a registrar shall not be effective until the original notice of retirement or resignation is received
by the secretary of state and shall become irrevocable upon such receipt by the secretary of state.
(Adds R.S. 18:65)