SLS 20RS-384 ORIGINAL
2020 Regular Session
SENATE BILL NO. 218
BY SENATOR CLOUD
ELECTED OFFICIALS. Requires that completion of qualifying forms for elected office
shall include submission of valid identification. (8/1/20)
1 AN ACT
2 To amend and reenact the introductory paragraph of R.S. 18:461(A)(2) and to enact R.S.
3 18:461(A)(4), relative to qualifying for candidates; to provide proof of identity; and
4 to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. The introductory paragraph of R.S. 18:461(A)(2) is hereby amended and
7 reenacted and R.S. 18:461(A)(4) is enacted to read as follows:
8 ยง461. Manner of qualifying
9 A. * * *
10 (2) The notice of candidacy, accompanied with proof of identity such as
11 a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana special identification card issued
12 pursuant to R.S. 40:1321, or other generally recognized picture identification
13 card that contains the name, address, and signature of the applicant, may be
14 filed in any of the following ways:
15 * * *
16 (4) A copy of the identification utilized by the candidate as provided in
17 Paragraph (2) of this Subsection shall be attached to the notice of candidacy and
Page 1 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 218
SLS 20RS-384 ORIGINAL
1 retained by the clerk of court where the candidate qualified for office or the
2 office of secretary of state.
3 * * *
The original instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument, were prepared by Tim Prather.
DIGEST
SB 218 Original 2020 Regular Session Cloud
Present law provides that a person who desires to become a candidate in a primary election
will qualify as a candidate by timely filing notice of his candidacy, which will be
accompanied either by a nominating petition or by the qualifying fee and any additional fee
imposed.
Present law provides that a candidate whose notice of candidacy is accompanied by a
nominating petition will not be required to pay any qualifying fee or any additional fee and
a candidate serving in the armed forces of the United States who is stationed or deployed
outside of the United States will not be required to pay any qualifying fee or any additional
fee.
Present law provides that the notice of candidacy may be filed in any of the following ways:
(1)In person by the candidate.
(2)By certified mail or commercial carrier, provided the notice is received within the
qualifying period provided by law by the qualifying official.
(3)By an agent on behalf of the candidate.
(4)By facsimile or electronic mail if filed by a candidate serving in the armed forces of
the United States who is stationed or deployed outside of the United States.
Present law provides that no person, whether or not currently registered as a voter with the
registrar of voters, will qualify to become a candidate if he is under an order of
imprisonment for conviction of a felony.
Proposed law provides that when filing the notice of candidacy, the candidate will provide
proof of identity such as a Louisiana driver's license, a Louisiana special identification card
issued pursuant to present law, or other generally recognized picture identification card that
contains the name, address, and signature of the applicant.
Proposed law provides that a copy of the identification utilized by the candidate as provided
by proposed law will be attached to the notice of candidacy and retained by the clerk of court
where the candidate qualified for office or the office of secretary of state.
Effective August 1, 2020.
(Amends R.S. 18:461(A)(2)(intro para); adds R.S. 18:461(A)(4))
Page 2 of 2
Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.