HLS 16RS-292 ORIGINAL
2016 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 563
BY REPRESENTATIVE RICHARD
ELECTIONS/CANDIDATES: Allows a candidate to have the word "independent" placed
on the ballot in lieu of an indication of political party affiliation
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 18:463(A)(1)(a) and 551(D), relative to elections; to provide
3 relative to election ballots; to provide for the notice of candidacy; to allow a
4 candidate to have the word "independent" placed on the ballot in lieu of an
5 indication of political party affiliation; to require a candidate to indicate his choice
6 to do so on the notice of candidacy; and to provide for related matters.
7Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
8 Section 1. R.S. 18:463(A)(1)(a) and 551(D) are hereby amended and reenacted to
9read as follows:
10 §463. Notice of candidacy; campaign finance disclosure; political advertising;
11 penalties
12 A.(1)(a)(i) A notice of candidacy shall be in writing and shall state the
13 candidate's name, the office he seeks, the address of his domicile, and the parish,
14 ward, and precinct where he is registered to vote.
15 (ii) The candidate shall list on the notice of candidacy the name of the
16 political party if he is registered as being affiliated with a recognized political party,
17 "other" if he is registered as being affiliated with a political party that is not a
18 recognized political party, or "no party" or an abbreviation thereof if he is registered
19 with no political party affiliation. No candidate shall change or add his political
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 16RS-292 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 563
1 party designation, for purposes of printing on the election ballot as required by R.S.
2 18:551(D), after he has qualified for the election.
3 (iii) The candidate shall indicate whether the word "independent" should
4 appear on the ballot in lieu of the party affiliation information provided pursuant to
5 Item (ii) of this Subparagraph.
6 * * *
7 §551. Ballots
8 * * *
9 D.(1) Political party designation. The political party designation of a
10 candidate who is registered as being affiliated with a recognized political party shall
11 be listed on the primary or general election ballot on the same line and immediately
12 after or below the candidate's name. If a candidate is affiliated with a political party,
13 but such party is not a recognized political party, the word "other" shall be placed
14 after his name. If a candidate is not affiliated with any political party, the words "no
15 party" or an abbreviation thereof shall be placed after his name.
16 (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, if the
17 candidate has indicated pursuant to R.S. 18:463(A)(1)(a)(iii) that the word
18 "independent" should appear on the ballot, the information provided in Paragraph (1)
19 of this Subsection shall not be placed on the ballot; in lieu thereof, the word
20 "independent" shall be placed on the primary or general election ballot on the same
21 line and immediately after or below the candidate's name.
22 (3) The secretary of state shall promulgate and adopt rules as necessary to
23 effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Subsection.
24 * * *
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 16RS-292 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 563
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 563 Original 2016 Regular Session Richard
Abstract: Allows a candidate to have the word "independent" placed on the ballot in lieu
of an indication of political party affiliation.
Present law (R.S. 18:463) requires a person who desires to become a candidate in a primary
election to qualify by timely filing a notice of candidacy. Provides relative to the content
of a notice of candidacy. Requires the notice of candidacy to state certain information
concerning the candidate including the candidate's name, the office he seeks, the address of
his domicile, and the parish, ward, and precinct where he is registered to vote. Also requires
the candidate to list the name of the political party if the candidate is registered as being
affiliated with a recognized political party, "other" if the candidate is registered as being
affiliated with a political party that is not a recognized political party, or "no party" or an
abbreviation thereof if he is registered with no political party affiliation.
Proposed law retains present law. Additionally requires the candidate to indicate whether
the word "independent" should appear on the ballot in lieu of the party affiliation
information provided pursuant to present law.
Present law (R.S. 18:551) provides relative to the preparation of election ballots. Provides
that the political party designation of a candidate who is registered as being affiliated with
a recognized political party shall be listed on the primary or general election ballot on the
same line and immediately after or below the candidate's name. Provides that if a candidate
is affiliated with a political party that is not a recognized political party, the word "other"
shall be placed after his name. Provides that if a candidate is not affiliated with any political
party, the words "no party" or an abbreviation thereof shall be placed after his name on the
ballot. Provides for the size and style of the type used on ballots and for spacing.
Proposed law retains present law. However, provides that if the candidate has indicated
pursuant to proposed law that the word "independent" should appear on the ballot, the
information provided in present law shall not be placed on the ballot; in lieu thereof, the
word "independent" shall be placed on the primary or general election ballot on the same
line and immediately after or below the candidate's name.
(Amends R.S. 18:463(A)(1)(a) and 551(D))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.