2021 Regular Session ENROLLED
SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 22
BY SENATOR JACKSON
A RESOLUTION
To create a study group to study the voting rights of persons who are incarcerated prior to
trial and the procedures available to those persons to cast their ballots.
WHEREAS, voting is a civic duty of paramount importance; and
WHEREAS, the right to vote is protected by the Constitution of the United States of
America and the Constitution of Louisiana; and
WHEREAS, it is important to recognize the immeasurable value one vote can have;
and
WHEREAS, it is important that each Louisiana citizen who is eligible to vote be able
to exercise that right; and
WHEREAS, persons who are incarcerated in institutions inside or outside the parish
in which they are qualified to vote, but who are not under an order of imprisonment for
conviction of a felony, including those incarcerated prior to trial, may still exercise their
right to vote, and by doing so make their voices heard and participate in the democratic
process; and
WHEREAS, the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana is committed to exploring
every possible means that may positively affect the potential for every eligible citizen to
participate in the life of their community and state by voting.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana
does hereby create a study group to study the voting rights of persons who are incarcerated
prior to trial and the procedures available to those persons to cast their ballots, including any
means available, or that might be made available, to facilitate voting by those persons, and
any impediments that exist to voting by those persons.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group shall be composed of the
following members:
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(1) The governor, or his designee.
(2) The secretary of state, or his designee.
(3) The deputy secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections,
corrections services, or his designee.
(4) The state public defender, or his designee.
(5) The executive director of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, or his
designee.
(6) The executive director of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association, or his designee.
(7) The executive director of the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police, or his
designee.
(8) The executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, or his
designee.
(9) The president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People
(NAACP), Louisiana State Conference, or his designee.
(10) The executive director of Voice of the Experienced, or his designee.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the first meeting of the study group shall be
called by the senator representing Senate District No. 34, and at its first meeting the study
group shall select a chair.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group shall meet at such times and
places as determined by its chair, and it may elect a vice chair and other officers as deemed
necessary by the study group.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the study group shall serve
without compensation, except per diem or expenses reimbursement to which they may be
individually entitled to as members of their constituent organizations.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall
constitute a quorum of the study group, and any official action by the study group shall
require an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group shall be staffed, at the discretion
of the study group members, by the staff of one or more of the entities from which the study
group's membership is designated or appointed.
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the study group shall make a written report of
its findings, and any recommendations it may have, to the Senate of the Louisiana
Legislature, and as required by R.S. 24:771 and 772, by February 1, 2022.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution shall be transmitted
to the governor, the secretary of state, the deputy secretary of the Department of Public
Safety and Corrections, corrections services, the state public defender, the executive director
of the Louisiana District Attorneys Association, the executive director of the Louisiana
Sheriffs' Association, the executive director of the Louisiana Association of Chiefs of Police,
the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana, the president of
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Louisiana State
Conference, and the executive director of Voice of the Experienced.
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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