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 211 Reengrossed 2018 Regular Session Jackson
Abstract: Requires the registrar of voters to make lists of early and absentee by mail voters
available for public inspection instead of requiring the registrar to post the lists at the
entrance to his office; requires the lists to be posted on the website of the secretary of state;
requires the registrar to post notice of the availability of the lists; and repeals the requirement
that a certain number of voters make a written request in order to copy the lists.
Present law (R.S. 18:1311) requires the registrar of voters to keep a list containing the names of all
persons who vote by early voting ballot during early voting and those whose absentee ballots by mail
he has received. Requires the registrar, after the last day for early voting, to prepare a list, arranged
alphabetically by precinct, of the names of all persons who have voted during early voting or from
whom absentee ballots by mail were received on or before the last day for early voting. Requires
the registrar to retain a copy of the list for use by the parish board of election supervisors on election
night.
Present law requires the registrar to prepare a supplemental list, arranged alphabetically by precinct,
of the names of all persons from whom absentee ballots by mail have been received after the last day
for early voting and before election day. Requires the registrar to deliver the supplemental list for
each precinct to the parish custodian who then delivers the supplemental list for each precinct to the
deputy parish custodian appointed for that precinct. Requires the registrar to retain a copy of the
supplemental list for use by the parish board of election supervisors on election night.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law requires the registrar to post a copy of each list in a conspicuous place accessible to the
public at the entrance to his office.
Proposed law repeals present law. Provides instead that the registrar ensure that each list is available
for inspection by members of the public at the principal office of the registrar when the office is
open. Requires the lists to be posted on the website of the secretary of state at least until the election
returns have been promulgated. Requires the registrar to post notice at the entrance to his office
informing the public of the availability of the lists.
Present law (R.S. 18:154) provides that the records of each registrar are public records and at all
times during office hours shall be open to inspection, except the early voting confirmation sheets of
voters. Proposed law retains present law.
Present law requires the registrar to allow his records to be copied only when 25 or more qualified
voters make a request in writing. Provides that if such copying would seriously interfere with the
registration of voters or the performance of his duties, the registrar shall cause his employees to make
copies of the requested records or print the information electronically, if the electronic copy contains
the same information, and deliver them to the voters or request the secretary of state to reproduce
such records which may then be forwarded to the registrar for delivery to the voters. Provides that
copying by the registrar or his employees or the secretary of state or printing an electronic copy shall
be done in the presence of a representative of the requesting voters, if they so request.
Proposed law requires the registrar to permit the copying of lists of early and absentee by mail voters
prepared pursuant to present law (R.S. 18:1311) upon the request of a single person of the age of
majority instead of 25 or more qualified voters. Otherwise retains present law.
(Amends R.S. 18:154(B) and 1311(B), (C), and (E); Adds R.S. 18:1311(A))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Add requirement that the registrar post notice at the entrance to his office informing the
public of the availability of the lists of early and absentee by mail voters.