The legislative instrument and the following digest, which constitutes no part of the
legislative instrument, were prepared by Tim Prather.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP ORT DIGEST
SB 218 2020 Regular Session Cloud
Keyword and summary of the bill as proposed by the Conference Committee
KEYWORD. Requires that completion of qualifying forms for elected office shall include
submission of valid identification. (1/15/21)
Report rejects House amendments which would have:
1. Limited the requirement to retain a redacted proof of identity to cases where the
candidate does not qualify in person.
2. Added provision of proposed law regarding a difference in the addresses on the
candidate's proof of identity and his voter registration.
3. Added provisions that proof of identification of person filing a notice of candidacy.
4. Added provisions regarding verification of the proof of identification by the
qualifying official.
5. Added provisions for comparing a person's proof of identity with a notice of
candidacy with the secretary of state.
6 Added a January 15, 2021 effective date.
Report amends the bill to:
1. Add provisions that proof of identification of person filing a notice of candidacy.
2. Add provisions regarding verification of the proof of identification by the qualifying
official.
3. Add provisions for comparing a person's proof of identity with a notice of candidacy
with the secretary of state.
4 Add a January 15, 2021 effective date. 5. Change the Louisiana special identification card issued by the Department of Public
Safety and Corrections to an identification card issued by the same department.
Digest of the bill as proposed by the Conference Committee
Present law requires that a person who desires to become a candidate in a primary election 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.
Proposed law retains these provisions and requires that candidate provide proof of identity in the
form of a valid La. driver's license or an identification card issued by the Department of Public
Safety and Corrections.
Proposed law requires that if a notice if candidacy is filed in person by the candidate, the qualifying
official is to compare the name and address on the proof of identity with the information on the
notice of candidacy; make a notation in the database of the secretary of state; if the address on the
proof of identity is different than the address on the notice of candidacy, the qualifying official is to
return the proof of identity to the candidate.
Proposed law provides that if notice of candidacy is filed by certified mail or commercial carrier, or
by facsimile or electronic mail or by an agent on behalf of the candidate, then a copy of the
candidate's proof of identity is to be sent to the qualifying official with the notice of candidacy.
Requires the qualifying official to compare name and address shown on the copy of the proof of
identity with the information on the notice of candidacy. Requires the qualifying official to make a
notation in the database of the secretary of state if the address on the copy of the proof of identity is
different than the address on the notice of candidacy, and then destroy the copy of the proof of
identity.
Further requires that if notice of candidacy is filed by an agent on behalf of a candidate then proof
of the agent's identity shall be provided in the form of a valid La. driver's license or La. special
identification card.
Proposed law provides that if the address on the proof of identity of a candidate is different than the
candidate's address on the notice of candidacy, the secretary of state shall make a notation that there
is a difference on any list on his website which contains the name of the candidate.
Effective January 15, 2021.
(Amends R.S. 18:461(A)(1); adds R.S. 18:461(A)(4) and (5))