HLS 23RS-316 ENGROSSED
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 216
BY REPRESENTATIVE HORTON
Prefiled pursuant to Article III, Section 2(A)(4)(b)(i) of the Constitution of Louisiana.
ELECTIONS/COMMISSIONERS: Authorizes certain military members stationed in
Louisiana to serve as commissioners
1 AN ACT
2To amend and reenact R.S. 18:425(B)(6), relative to the qualifications of election
3 commissioners; to authorize certain nonresident active duty servicemembers and
4 their dependents to serve as commissioners; to provide for qualifications; to provide
5 for conditions; and to provide for related matters.
6Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
7 Section 1. R.S. 18:425(B)(6) is hereby amended and reenacted to read as follows:
8 ยง425. Commissioners
9 * * *
10 B. Qualifications and classifications.
11 * * *
12 (6) Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, a
13 qualified voter of this state or a person who is registered to vote in another state who
14 is able to perform the essential duties of a commissioner as described in the
15 informational pamphlet developed by the secretary of state pursuant to R.S.
16 18:421(C), who is not a candidate in the election, who certifies he is a United States
17 citizen, and who is a student at an institution of higher learning located in this state
18 meets the following additional criteria may be selected as a commissioner as follows:
19 (a) A student at a postsecondary education institution may be selected as a
20 commissioner in any precinct in the parish where the institution of higher learning
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
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HB NO. 216
1 is located if the student submits to the clerk a copy of his student identification or fee
2 bill showing current enrollment and a copy of his proof of voter registration.
3 (b) A nonresident active duty servicemember serving at a military
4 installation as defined in R.S. 33:4734 that is located in Louisiana or his dependent
5 as defined in 10 U.S.C. 987 may be selected as a commissioner in any precinct in the
6 parish where the military installation is located if the servicemember or his
7 dependent submits to the clerk a copy of his military identification card, a copy of
8 his proof of voter registration, and he wears plain clothes while serving in his
9 capacity as commissioner.
10 * * *
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 216 Engrossed 2023 Regular Session Horton
Abstract: Authorizes certain qualified nonresident active duty servicemembers serving at
a military installation in La. and their dependents to serve as election commissioners
at any precinct in the parish where the military installation is located.
Present law provides that a qualified voter who is able to perform the essential duties of a
commissioner and who is not a candidate in the election may be selected as a commissioner
in any precinct of the ward where he is registered to vote.
Present law provides that a student at an institution of higher learning located in this state
may be selected as a commissioner in any precinct if he meets certain criteria.
Proposed law retains present law and provides that a nonresident active duty servicemember
serving at a military installation in La. or his dependent may be selected as a commissioner
in any precinct in the parish where the military installation is located if the servicemember
or his dependent is registered to vote in another state, is able to perform the essential duties
of a commissioner, is not a candidate in the election, submits to the clerk a copy of his
military identification card and a copy of his proof of voter registration, and he wears plain
clothes while serving in his capacity as commissioner.
Proposed law further requires that a person serving as a commissioner at a precinct outside
of the ward where he is registered to vote pursuant to present law and proposed law shall
certify that he is a U.S. citizen.
Present federal law defines "dependent" as a uniformed servicemember's spouse, certain
children, certain parents or parents-in-law, and certain unmarried persons placed in the legal
custody of the servicemember.
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HB NO. 216
Present law defines "military installation" as any base, military airport, camp, post, station,
yard, center, home port facility for a ship, or any other military activity center that is under
the jurisdiction of the U.S. Dept. of Defense.
(Amends R.S. 18:425(B)(6))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.