2020 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 55
BY SENATOR HEWITT
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To establish the Closed Party Primary Task Force to study and make recommendations
regarding the development of a closed party primary election system applicable at
the federal, state, and local levels, beginning with the 2022 congressional elections.
WHEREAS, citizens of Louisiana deserve to have their voices heard and their wills
reflected through exercising their fundamental right to vote; and
WHEREAS, Louisiana is one of only three states that have no electoral mechanism
to assure major party voters that they will have a candidate who more closely represents their
views in the general election; and
WHEREAS, the current common ballot primary system may negatively impact
candidates who belong to the same political party; and
WHEREAS, the common ballot primary system places Louisiana's federal office
holders at a distinct disadvantage as it relates to seniority due to the delay in assuming office
associated with the timing of the election cycle; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative that the legislature develops and implements informed
and thorough policies and mechanisms to allow its citizens to select the best qualified
candidates for office; and
WHEREAS, the common ballot primary system deprives Louisiana voters of a
sufficient evaluation period to determine their preferred candidate utilized by voters in other
states due to the condensed time frame between the primary and general elections; and
WHEREAS, the electoral process should adapt in order to ensure an equitable and
just outcome and to guarantee results indicative of the true and impartial goals of the
democratic process.
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THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana establishes the
Closed Party Primary Task Force to study the development of a closed party primary
election system applicable at the federal, state, and local levels beginning with the 2022
congressional elections.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Closed Party Primary Task Force shall be
comprised of the following members:
(1) The chair of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee, or her designee.
(2) The chair of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, or his designee.
(3) The Secretary of State, or his designee.
(4) The Attorney General, or his designee.
(5) The chair of the State Board of Election Supervisors, or his designee.
(6) A designee from the Louisiana Clerks of Court Association.
(7) A designee from the Louisiana Registrar of Voters Association.
(8) A designee from the NAACP.
(9) A designee from the Pelican Institute.
(10) The chair of the Louisiana Democratic Party, or his designee.
(11) The executive director of the Louisiana Democratic Party.
(12) The chair of the Republican Party of Louisiana, or his designee.
(13) The executive director of the Republican Party of Louisiana.
(14) A member of the Senate, designated by the Senate president.
(15) A member of the House of Representatives, designated by the Speaker of the
House.
(16) A designee from Louisiana's congressional delegation.
(17) A mayor designated by the Louisiana Municipal Association.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chairwoman of the Senate and Governmental
Affairs Committee shall serve as the chair of the task force and the staff of the Senate and
Governmental Affairs Committee shall provide support to the task force.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of this task force shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled as members of their constituent organizations.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall
constitute a quorum of the task force and any official action by the task force shall require
an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the names of the members designated or selected
as provided herein shall be submitted to the chair of the task force by July 1, 2020, and the
chair shall thereafter call the first meeting of the task force by August 15, 2020.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall meet as necessary and make
a written report of its findings to the legislature by January 15, 2021, together with any
specific proposals for legislation, including but not limited to recommendations relative to
amending R.S. 18:401-402.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall terminate upon the date of
submission of its report or February 1, 2021, whichever occurs first.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of the task force report be transmitted to
the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Senate and Governmental Affairs
Committee, and to the institutions represented by members of the task force.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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