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 653 Engrossed 2021 Regular Session Ivey
Abstract: Revises the election code relative to voting and voting processes and procedures,
including provisions relative to the standards, requirement, and acquisition of voting
machines and systems.
Present law (La. Election Code) provides processes and requirements for voter registration and
voting, including the time and manner of voting.
Present law requires the secretary of state to prescribe uniform rules, regulations, forms, and
instructions as to the use of electronic voting machines in the conduct of early voting. Proposed law
removes the word "electronic" in reference to the voting machines and otherwise retains present law.
Proposed law retains present law but specifies that prior to the implementation of a voting or election
process or procedure that affects the manner in which a voter casts a vote or the manner in which
votes are tabulated which is not explicitly provided by the La. Election Code or by rule adopted in
accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act with notice as provided as required by present
law (R.S. 49:953(A)–notice for regular rulemaking process), the election official who intends to
implement the process or procedure shall submit the proposal to the Committee on House and
Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs for review and
approval. Provides that upon the receipt, the committees have 60 days to determine, either jointly
or separately, whether the proposed process or procedure shall be approved. Provides that if one or
both committees disapprove the process or procedure, it shall not be implemented or utilized for any
purpose. Provides that if the time period for action by the committees has lapsed without any action,
the process or procedure shall be deemed approved.
Present law relative to voting systems, provides definitions for the following terms: "absentee by
mail and early voting counting equipment", "election", "electronic voting machine", "official ballot",
"parish custodian", "protective counter", "public counter", "question", "vote indicator", "voting
machine ", and "voting system".
Proposed law changes the definitions for "official ballot", "protective counter", "public counter",
"voting machine", and "voting system". Proposed law removes the definition for "electronic voting
machine". Proposed law adds definitions for "vote-capture device" and "voter-verified paper
record". Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Present law provides that voting machines shall be used throughout the state in all elections, but
allows paper ballots to be used when voting machines fail and for voting absentee by mail and early voting.
Proposed law provides instead that voting machines shall be used throughout the state in all
elections, but allows paper ballots to be used when voting machines fail for voting absentee by mail,
for early voting, and for provisional ballots.
Present law authorizes the secretary of state to prescribe uniform rules and regulations with respect
to matters pertaining to the procurement, preparation, and use of voting systems in the conduct of
elections and the duties of each category of persons charged with responsibility for any matter
relating to the voting systems. Requires the rules to be approved by the attorney general and
distributed by the secretary of state to election officials.
Proposed law instead requires the secretary to promulgate rules and regulations through the
Administrative Procedure Act and specifies that the rules and regulation shall also contain
certification standards and requirements for voting systems. Further provides that instead of
approval, the attorney shall review the proposed rules and regulations for uniformity and compliance
with the La. Election Code. Proposed law specifies that the rules and regulations for voting systems
are required to include standards and requirements for usability, accessibility, durability, accuracy,
efficiency, capacity, and auditability; requirements that voting machines not have the capability of
being connected to the internet; requirements that the equipment used to program the ballots on the
voting machines not have the capability of being connected to the internet; and requirements that the
equipment used to perform software updates on the voting machines be different than the equipment
used to program the ballot; requirement that software or firmware updates be loaded using a non-
network connection; requirement that access to ports on a voting machine be restricting and sealed
during an election, except those used to activate the machine for a voter and otherwise retains present
law.
Present law provides that the secretary of state shall be responsible for all procurement, sales, and
transfers of voting systems and system components and for all matters in connection therewith.
Further authorizes the secretary of state to employ or appoint mechanics, experts, etc., as necessary
relative thereto.
Proposed law provides instead that the secretary of state shall coordinate with the office of state
procurement in the division of administration for all procurement, sales, and transfers of voting
systems and system components and for all matters in connection with the issuance of competitive
bids or requests for proposals in accordance with all applicable law.
Present law authorizes the secretary of state to examine any type or make of voting system or system
component upon the request of a representative of the maker or supplier thereof and if the secretary
of state determines that the voting system or system component complies with the requirements of
present law he shall approve that voting system or system component for use in this state and issue
his certificate of approval thereof.
Proposed law instead requires the secretary of state to examine any type or make of voting system
or system component upon request and further requires such a system to comply with the requirements of present law and the standards promulgated pursuant to proposed law.
Present law authorizes the secretary of state to employ experts to assist him in making the
examination and provides that the expenses of the services of such experts shall not exceed a total
of $500 to be paid prior to the examination by the person requesting examination of the voting
system or system component. Requires those experts to sign the certificate of approval made by the
secretary of state. Prohibits any voting system or system component from being used at any election
which has not been so approved by the secretary of state.
Proposed law instead requires the secretary of state to employ such experts as necessary to assist him
and increases the amount of such services from $500 to $5000 and otherwise retains present law.
Present law provides that all voting systems or system components used in this state shall be
procured by the secretary of state, out of state funds appropriated for that purpose, on the basis of
a competitive request for proposals process or public bids submitted to the secretary in accordance
with specifications prepared by him. Provides that the specifications may require tests and
examinations of the operation of the voting systems or system components, and the secretary, for that
purpose, may employ experts to report thereon and charge the expense thereof to the responders or
bidders. Specifies that advertisement and letting of contracts for the procurement of voting systems
or system components shall be in accordance with the Louisiana Procurement Code. However,
present law provides an exception to authorize the secretary of state to procure directly from the
supplier, through the Dept. of State, voting systems or system components, parts, supplies, and other
election paraphernalia and to contract with the manufacturer through the department for the
maintenance of the voting systems or system components. Present law specifies that title to all
voting machines purchased by the secretary of state shall vest in the state.
Proposed law provides instead that voting systems or system components used in this state shall be
procured by the secretary of state in accordance with present law (La. Procurement Code). Proposed
law further provides that if the system or components require testing or examination, the secretary
shall appoint or employ experts to report thereon. Proposed law limits the exception allowing
procurement directly from the supplier or manufacturer by removing the ability to directly procure
voting systems or system components and allows such procurement only for parts, supplies, and
other election paraphernalia and maintenance of voting systems and system components directly
from the supplier or manufacturer. Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Present law authorizes the secretary of state to utilize any procedure necessary to accommodate the
use of paging direct record electronic voting machines for voting where possible, requires any such
procedure to be approved by the attorney general. Requires the secretary of state to immediately
notify, in writing, the presiding officers of the legislature and the standing committees of each house
which have oversight over elections regarding the procedure to be utilized and the circumstances
which caused the need for such procedure.
Proposed law repeals present law.
Present law establishes the Voting Technology Fund as a special fund in the state treasury. Provides that the source of monies for the fund shall be the monies derived from fees imposed for maps of
precincts and election jurisdictions, for elections conducted for third parties, and any other monies
appropriated to the fund. Authorizes monies in the fund be used for general operating purposes and
for the acquisition and maintenance of voting machine technology, including hardware and software;
voting equipment and supplies; voter outreach; voter improvement; early voting; and information
technology products to produce, run, and support the election and voting system. Present law
establishes the Help Louisiana Vote Fund. Sources of money deposited into the fund shall be any
federal monies received by the state pursuant to the Help America Vote Act and any monies
appropriated to the fund. Establishes five accounts in the fund and specifies the uses of the monies
in each account, some of which include the acquisition of equipment and voting system technologies
and related matters.
Proposed law retains present law relative to such funds but specifies that prior to the expenditure of
any monies from the fund for the acquisition of any element or component of a voting system, the
secretary of state shall submit the details of any such expenditure, including any related contract or
proposed contract, to the Jt. Legislative Committee on the Budget for review and approval.
(Amends R.S. 18:18(A)(7), 21(C)(3), 1351, 1352, 1353(B), (C)(intro. paragraph) and (2), and (D),
1361, 1362(A), and 1400.21(C); Adds R.S. 18:563.1; Repeals R.S. 18:1365)
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 requirement of approval by the legislative governmental affairs committees
prior to the implementation of a voting or election process or procedure that is not
explicitly provided in the election code or promulgated rule, to those processes and
procedures that affect the manner in which a voter casts a vote or the manner in which
votes are tabulated.
2. Change definitions for "official ballot", "protective counter", "public counter", "voting
machine", and "voting system" and add definitions for "vote-capture device" and "voter-
verified paper record".
3. Provide additional certification requirements for voting systems relative to updates and
access to ports on voting machines.
4. Restore ability for the secretary of state to procure parts, supplies, and maintenance
directly from the manufacturer.
5. Increase the proposed amount authorized for expenses related to experts to assist the
secretary of state in examining voting systems from not to exceed a total of $2000 to not
to exceed $5000.