RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 183 (HB 951) 2016 Regular Session Gary Carter
Existing law (R.S. 18:521) provides that all persons who have registered to vote prior to the
time the registration records are closed as required in existing law (R.S. 18:135) may vote
in the election for any candidates except those seeking membership on a committee of a
political party with which the voter is not registered as being affiliated.
Existing law (R.S. 18:103) provides that a person who meets the qualifications for voter
registration may apply in person at the office of the registrar, using the federal postcard
application, through the Dept. of Public Safety and Corrections (DPS&C), through
designated voter registration agencies, and through the mail using certain forms.
Existing law (R.S. 18:115.1) additionally provides that a person who has a valid La. driver's
license or La. special identification card may apply to register to vote or make changes to his
existing registration by completing and submitting an electronic voter registration application
on the secretary of state's website. Provides for the content of the electronic voter
registration application. Provides for immediate verification of the driver's license number
or special identification card number submitted by the applicant. Provides that if a
verification is made, the secretary of state shall electronically forward the information
provided in the application to the appropriate registrar of voters to determine the eligibility
of the applicant in accordance with existing law and to immediately inform the applicant.
Existing law (R.S. 18:135) requires the registrar to close the registration records 30 days
prior to an election for persons who register to vote or make changes to an existing
registration in a manner other than applying online, unless the deadline falls on a legal
holiday, in which case the deadline is moved to the next day that is not a holiday. Provides
that the registration records may be closed at a later time under certain circumstances
involving emergencies.
Prior law required the registrar to close the registration records 30 days prior to an election
for persons who register to vote or make changes to an existing registration online pursuant
to existing law (R.S. 18:115.1). New law changes the close of registration from 30 days to
20 days prior to an election for persons who register to vote or make changes to an existing
registration online pursuant to existing law (R.S. 18:115.1) if the person's driver's license
number or special identification number is verified pursuant to existing law.
Existing law (R.S. 18:157) requires the registrar prior to an election to deliver a precinct
register to each precinct in the parish that is involved in the election. Requires the precinct
register to include the official list of voters and the inactive list of voters in each precinct.
Existing law (R.S. 18:562 and 1309) requires election officials to attempt to establish the
identity of each voter by matching identifying information provided by the voter with
information in the precinct register.
Existing law (R.S. 18:152) requires the registrar prior to delivery of the precinct register to
add the names and collateral information on those mail registrants that were verified after the
printing of the precinct register. Provides that such listing of registrants shall be considered
to be a supplement to the official list of voters and a part of the precinct register. Requires
the registrar subsequent to the delivery of the precinct register, to add the names and
collateral information on those mail registrants that were verified after the delivery of the
precinct register. Provides that such listing of registrants shall be considered another
supplement to the official list of voters and a part of the precinct register. Provides that any
supplemental list so produced shall be delivered to the precinct in the same manner as a list
of absentee voters who voted absentee by mail and whose ballots were received after the
precinct register was sealed.
New law additionally requires the registrar to supplement the official list of voters in the
precinct register with the names and collateral information for registrants who registered
pursuant to new law and who were verified after the printing or delivery of the precinct
register.
Effective February 1, 2017. (Amends R.S. 18:101(D)(intro. para.) and 152(C)(2)(b); Adds R.S. 18:135(A)(3))