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 557 Original 2021 Regular Session Ivey
Abstract: Changes the dates of congressional elections and provides relative to the certification of
candidates elected at such elections under certain circumstances.
Present law provides that primary elections for members of congress and officers elected at the same
time as members of congress are held on the first Tues. after the first Mon. in Nov. of an even-
numbered year and that the general elections for such offices are held on the fifth Sat. after the
primary election.
Proposed law changes the date of such primary elections to the first Sat. in Oct. and the date of the
general elections to the first Tues. after the first Mon. in Nov.
Present law provides that qualifying for candidates in such elections opens on the third Wed. in July.
Proposed law changes the opening of qualifying to the second Wed. in July.
Proposed law otherwise retains present law with respect to such elections except to provide that if
a congressional candidate receives a majority of the votes in the primary election or is the only
candidate due to the death or withdrawal of other candidates, he shall not be declared elected and
the secretary of state shall not certify the results of the election until the general election date.
Effective upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 18:402(B), 467(2), 511(A) and (B), 512(B), 1272(A), and 1277)