HLS 23RS-3868 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 144
BY REPRESENTATIVE BEAULLIEU
ELECTIONS: Creates the Elections Consolidation Task Force to study the consolidation
and streamlining of Louisiana's elections
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To create a task force to study the consolidation of Louisiana's elections and to submit a
3 written report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature of Louisiana
4 no later than thirty days prior to the convening of the 2024 Regular Session of the
5 Legislature.
6 WHEREAS, the United States has substantially more elections than other
7democracies around the world; and
8 WHEREAS, frequent elections hurt the quality of governance by exhausting voters
9and pushing elected officials toward extensive campaigning; and
10 WHEREAS, the legislature finds that Louisiana's election schedule can be
11burdensome and confusing for voters and candidates alike; and
12 WHEREAS, from January 2019 to April 2023, Louisiana held twenty-five elections;
13and
14 WHEREAS, during the same five-year period, Texas held twelve elections, Arkansas
15held seven elections, and Mississippi held eight elections; and
16 WHEREAS, the multitude of elections in Louisiana comes at great expense to
17taxpayers; and
18 WHEREAS, turnout for local elections is often lower than twenty-five percent; and
19 WHEREAS, local elections that occur outside of gubernatorial or federal election
20years have historically drawn a much lower voter turnout than gubernatorial or federal
Page 1 of 4 HLS 23RS-3868 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 144
1elections, with recent local elections drawing as low as six and one-tenths percent of eligible
2voters; and
3 WHEREAS, voter turnout has been proven to be at least two times higher when local
4elections coincide with a larger election; and
5 WHEREAS, consolidating elections makes it easier for voters to understand
6registration deadlines, absentee ballot deadlines, early voting options, voting locations, and
7voter eligibility; and
8 WHEREAS, consolidation would likely increase voter turnout, make it easier to keep
9voters informed, save the state and local governments millions of dollars, and foster better
10voting habits among eligible voters; and
11 WHEREAS, Louisiana is one of five states that elect their state officials outside of
12federal election years; and
13 WHEREAS, Louisiana's state officials are at risk of not proportionally representing
14constituents because of low voter turnout during elections held outside of the gubernatorial
15or federal election years; and
16 WHEREAS, multiple states, including several southern states, have introduced
17legislation providing for consolidation of elections or have conducted studies on the subject
18matter, and it would be appropriate for Louisiana to take similar efforts.
19 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
20establish the Elections Consolidation Task Force to study the consolidation and streamlining
21of Louisiana's elections.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the primary objective of the task force is to
23deliberate all applicable facts, circumstances, policies, and procedures that contribute to
24Louisiana's confusing and protracted elections calendar and to present the legislature with
25recommendations to consolidate the number of elections.
26 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the membership of the task force shall be as
27follows:
28 (1) The speaker of the House of Representatives or his designee.
29 (2) The president of the Senate or his designee.
30 (3) The secretary of state or his designee.
Page 2 of 4 HLS 23RS-3868 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 144
1 (4) The commissioner of elections or his designee.
2 (5) The president of the board of the Louisiana Registrars of Voters Association or
3his designee.
4 (6) The president of the board of the Louisiana Municipal Association or his
5designee.
6 (7) The president of the executive board of the Policy Jury Association of Louisiana
7or his designee.
8 (8) The president of the executive committee of the Louisiana Sheriffs' Association
9or his designee.
10 (9) The president of the board of directors of the Louisiana District Attorneys
11Association or his designee.
12 (10) The president of the Louisiana District Judge's Association or his designee.
13 (11) The chief justice of the Louisiana Supreme Court or his designee.
14 (12) A representative of the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice.
15 (13) A representative of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy.
16 (14) A representative of the Public Affairs Research Council.
17 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that at its first meeting, which shall be called by the
18speaker of the House of Representatives no later than September 1, 2023, the task force shall
19elect from among its members a chairperson, who shall preside over the task force.
20 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the task force shall serve
21without compensation.
22 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a majority of the total membership shall
23constitute a quorum of the task force and that any official action by the task force shall
24require an affirmative vote of a majority of the quorum present and voting.
25 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Senate shall provide staffing for the task
26force.
27 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force shall meet as frequently as it
28deems necessary for the timely performance of its duties.
29 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Elections Consolidation Task Force shall
30submit a written report of its findings and recommendations to the Legislature of Louisiana
Page 3 of 4 HLS 23RS-3868 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 144
1no later than thirty days prior to the convening of the 2024 Regular Session of the
2Legislature.
3 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to each
4organization represented by a member of the task force.
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)]
HCR 144 Original 2023 Regular Session Beaullieu
Creates a task force to study the consolidation of La.'s elections and to submit a written
report of the task force findings and recommendations to the legislature no later than 30 days
prior to the convening of the 2024 R.S.
Page 4 of 4