HLS 21RS-864 ENGROSSED
2021 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 286
BY REPRESENTATIVE JONES
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
VOTERS/VOTING: Extends the period for early voting prior to election day in presidential
elections
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 18:1309(A)(1)(a)(i), relative to early voting; to provide for the
3 period for the conduct of early voting in the presidential election; to provide for an
4 effective date; and to provide for related matters.
5Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 18:1309(A)(1)(a)(i) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as
7follows:
8 ยง1309. Early voting; verification
9 A.(1)(a)(i) The period for conducting early voting shall be from fourteen
10 days to seven days prior to any scheduled election. However, for the presidential
11 election, the period for conducting early voting shall be from eighteen days to seven
12 days prior to the presidential election.
13 * * *
14 Section 2. This Act shall become effective upon signature by the governor or, if not
15signed by the governor, upon expiration of the time for bills to become law without signature
16by the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the Constitution of Louisiana. If
17vetoed by the governor and subsequently approved by the legislature, this Act shall become
18effective on the day following such approval.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions. HLS 21RS-864 ENGROSSED
HB NO. 286
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)]
HB 286 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Jones
Abstract: Adds language that provides that, for the presidential election, the period for
conducting early voting shall be from 18 days to 7 days prior to the presidential
election.
Present law (R.S. 18:1309) provides for early voting preceding election day. Provides that
the early voting period for an election is the period from 14 days to seven days prior to the
election. Generally provides that early voting is held at the registrar of voters' office and
requires the office to be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on each day, Monday through
Saturday. Requires the registrar, during the early voting period, to maintain regular office
hours, remaining open from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Present law
provides that a registrar shall observe the holidays which are provided by law or proclaimed
by the governor for state departments during the early voting period. Present law provides
that Sundays are legal holidays. Present law further provides that one day of early voting
shall be added at the beginning of the period if one or more holidays is required to be
observed on a weekday during the period. Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law provides that for the presidential election the period for conducting early
voting shall be from 18 days to 7 days prior to the presidential election.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 18:1309(A)(1)(a)(i))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and
Governmental Affairs to the original bill:
1. Limit the proposed law extension of early voting to presidential elections.
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.