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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)]
SB 22 Reengrossed 2020 Second Extraordinary Session Hewitt
Present law provides that in a parish where the parish board of election supervisors tabulates
and counts absentee by mail and early voting ballots in accordance with present law (R.S.
18:1313.1), a member of the board may be compensated not more than eight days for a
presidential or regularly scheduled congressional general election or seven days for any other
primary or general election.
Proposed law retains present law but additionally provides that in a parish where the parish
board of election supervisors tabulates and counts absentee by mail and early voting ballots
in accordance with proposed law (R.S. 18:1313.2), a member of the board may be
compensated not more than eleven days for a presidential or regularly scheduled
congressional general election or ten days for any other primary or general election if any
such election is impaired as the result of a declared disaster or emergency.
Present law provides that parishes with one thousand or more absentee by mail ballots
returned to the registrar of voters for a primary or general election may conduct the
preparation and verification process for the tabulation and counting of absentee by mail and
early voting ballots the day before the election. Provides that if the parish board of election
supervisors determines that parish board commissioners are necessary for the preparation
and verification process to count and tabulate the absentee by mail and early voting ballots
the day before the election, it will do so in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 18:1314.
Present law further provides that the preparation and verification process for the counting
of absentee by mail and early voting ballots may be conducted the day before the election
at a public facility within the parish designated by the registrar of voters at a time fixed by
the parish board of election supervisors. Present law additionally provides that candidates,
their representatives, and qualified electors may be present during the preparation and
verification process for the counting and tabulation of absentee by mail and early voting
ballots on the day before election day. Provides that the parish board assisting with the
preparation and verification for the tabulation and counting of absentee by mail ballots and
early voting paper ballots sort the ballots to differentiate those that have been challenged
from those that have not and execute the first certificate on the envelope or container and
date the certificate the day before the election.
Proposed law (R.S. 18:1313.2) retains present law but additionally provides similar
provisions for elections impaired as the result of a declared disaster or emergency and allows
the preparation and verification process to begin four days before election day. Further
provides that if the parish board of election supervisors determines that parish board
commissioners are necessary for the preparation and verification process to count and
tabulate the absentee by mail and early voting ballots beginning four days prior to the
election, it will do so in accordance with the provisions of R.S. 18:1314. Specifies that
candidates, their representatives, and qualified electors may be present during the
preparation and verification process for the counting and tabulation of absentee by mail and
early voting ballots that may start being conducted four days prior to the election. Provides
that the parish board assisting with the preparation and verification for the tabulation and
counting of absentee by mail ballots and early voting paper ballots sort the ballots to
differentiate those that have been challenged from those that have not and execute the first
certificate on the envelope or container and date the certificate with the date on which it was
executed. Proposed law provides that the provisions of proposed law shall be void and of
no effect on Aug. 1, 2021.
Present law provides that during the preparation and verification process for the counting of
absentee by mail and early voting ballots on the day before the election, as applicable, or the
counting of absentee by mail and early voting ballots on election day, any candidate or his
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representative, member of the board, or qualified elector may challenge an absentee by mail
or early voting ballot for cause, other than those grounds specified in R.S. 18:565(A).
Proposed law retains present law but additionally provides, for elections impaired as the
result of a declared disaster or emergency, that during the preparation and verification
process for the counting of absentee by mail and early voting ballots before an election in
accordance with proposed law (R.S. 18:1313.2), or the counting of absentee by mail and
early voting ballots on election day in accordance with proposed law (R.S. 18:1313.2), any
candidate or his representative, member of the board, or qualified elector may challenge an
absentee by mail or early voting ballot for cause, other than those grounds specified in R.S.
18:565(A).
Effective upon signature of the governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 18:423(J) and 1315(B); Adds R.S. 18:1313.2)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and
Governmental Affairs to the reengrossed bill:
1. Limit changes to procedures and compensation of parish board of election
supervisors to elections impaired as a result of a declared disaster or emergency.
2. Provide that the procedures granting additional time that may begin four days
before an election impaired as a result of a a declared disaster or emergency for
the preparation and verification of absentee by mail and early voting ballots is
void and of no effect on Aug. 1, 2021.
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