SLS 20RS-384 REENGROSSED
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 of the
11 candidate and, if applicable, the agent of the candidate, such as a Louisiana
12 driver's license, a Louisiana special identification card issued pursuant to R.S.
13 40:1321, or other generally recognized picture identification card that contains
14 the name, address, and signature of the candidate and, if applicable, the agent
15 of the candidate, may be filed in any of the following ways:
16 * * *
17 (4) A copy of the identification utilized by the candidate and, if
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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 REENGROSSED
1 applicable, the agent of the candidate, as provided in Paragraph (2) of this
2 Subsection shall be attached to the notice of candidacy and retained by the clerk
3 of court where the candidate qualified for office or the office of secretary of
4 state. The proof of identification utilized shall redact the audit code on the
5 driver's license or special identification card, social security number, driver's
6 license number, and day and month of the date of birth of the candidate and, if
7 applicable, the agent of the candidate, by either manual or digital methods.
8 * * *
The original instrument was prepared by Tim Prather. The following digest,
which does not constitute a part of the legislative instrument, was prepared
by Carla S. Roberts.
DIGEST
SB 218 Reengrossed 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 or the
candidate's agent 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
candidate and, if applicable, the agent of the candidate.
Proposed law provides that a copy of the identification utilized by the candidate as provided
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words in boldface type and underscored are additions. SB NO. 218
SLS 20RS-384 REENGROSSED
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.
Proposed law provides that the proof of identification utilized shall redact the audit code on
the driver's license or special identification card, social security number, driver's license
number, and day and month of the date of birth of the candidate and, if applicable, the agent
of the candidate, by either manual or digital methods.
Effective August 1, 2020.
(Amends R.S. 18:461(A)(2)(intro para); adds R.S. 18:461(A)(4))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Senate and
Governmental Affairs to the original bill
1. Requires certain personal information be redacted from proof of
identification.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Senate Floor Amendments to engrossed bill
1. Allows an agent of a candidate to provide proof of a candidate's identity.
2. Redacts certain information from the proof of identification provided by the
candidate or his agent.
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Coding: Words which are struck through are deletions from existing law;
words in boldface type and underscored are additions.