RDCSB384 3645 4619
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)]
SB 384 Engrossed 2024 Regular Session Fields
Present law provides that during the preparation and verification process for counting
absentee by mail and early voting ballots, the ballots may be challenged for cause. Further
provides that if a challenge for cause is sustained by at least a majority of the members of
the parish board of election supervisors, the vote shall not be counted and the board shall
write "rejected" and the cause therefore across the ballot envelope or early voting
confirmation sheet, the board shall notify the voter within four business days.
Proposed law retains present law and requires the registrar to record the reason for the
rejection in the state voter registration system.
Present law provides that the secretary of state shall promulgate and adopt rules as necessary
to effectuate uniform and standardized processes for the review and curing or rejection of
deficient absentee by mail ballots by the parish board of election of supervisors.
Proposed law retains present law and further requires the secretary to maintain records of
all ballots rejected pursuant to present law and include information detailing the total number
of ballots rejected per parish and the reasons for their rejection in the post-election statistical
data published to the secretary's website.
Effective July 1, 2025.
(Amends R.S. 18:1315(C)(3)(a) and 1317)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Senate and
Governmental Affairs to the original bill
1. Make technical changes.
2. Provide for an effective date.
3. Require a registrar of voters or his deputy to issue a written explanation for
the rejection of an early voting affidavit due to a deficiency.
4. Require the secretary of state to maintain records of all rejected early voting
affidavits and include a breakdown of the affidavits rejected by parish and
reasons for their rejection in the post-election statistical data published on the
secretary of state's website.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and
Governmental Affairs to the engrossed bill:
1. Remove provisions related to the recordation of deficiencies in voter
identification affidavits used during early voting.
2. Add the requirement that the registrar record the reason for the rejection of
challenged early voting and absentee by mail ballots in certain circumstances.