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 Engrossed 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 held in a year that is not a presidential
election year to the last Sat. in Sept. and the date of such primary elections held in a presidential
election year to the first Sat. in Aug. Also changes 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 date of the opening of qualifying for such elections held in a year that is
not a presidential election year to the third Wed. in June and the opening of qualifying for such
primary elections held in a presidential election year to the second Wed. in May.
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.
Present law provides that written notice of a proposition election called by a political subdivision
shall be transmitted to the secretary of state and each clerk of court and registrar of voters in the area
affected by the election. Further provides that if the election is to be held on a primary election date,
then such notice and certificate shall be received by the secretary of state at least four weeks prior
to the opening of the qualifying period for the primary election. If the election is not to be held on
a primary election date, then the notice shall be received by the secretary of state on or before the
54th day prior to the election.
Proposed law retains present law but changes the deadline for notice of an election to be held on the
first Tues. after the first Mon. in Nov. in a presidential election year to the 81st day prior to the
election.
Present law provides that if the required number of qualified electors of the voting area sign the petition for recall, the governor shall issue a proclamation ordering a recall election. If the election
is to be held on a primary election date, the proclamation shall be issued at least four weeks prior to
the opening of the qualifying period for the primary election. If the election is not to be held on a
primary election date, the proclamation shall be issued on or before the 54th day prior to the election.
Proposed law retains present law but changes the deadline for the proclamation for an election not
to be held on the first Tues. after the first Mon. in Nov. of a presidential election year to the 81st day
prior to the election.
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), 1277, 1285(B)(1)(a),
1300(C)(1), and 1300.7(A))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill:
1. Change dates for congressional primary elections and for qualifying for such elections.
2. Distinguish dates of primary congressional elections and of qualifying held in a year that
is not a presidential election year from elections held in a year that is a presidential
election year.
3. Add provisions changing deadlines for notices of proposition elections and proclamations
of recall elections held in Nov. of presidential election years.