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 342 Original 2025 Regular Session Bayham
Abstract: Increases qualifying fees for certain candidates, provides for the number of required
signatures for nominating petitions of candidates running for United States senate and
representative in congress, and provides for who can sign a nominating petition.
Present law (Act No. 1 of the First Extraordinary Session of the Legislature of Louisiana) establishes
closed party primary voting for certain offices, beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Provides the requirements
for who can sign a nominating petition. Further provides that a candidate in a party primary election
may only be nominated by a person who is affiliated with the same recognized political party, who
is qualified to vote on the office he seeks, and who signs a nominating petition for him no more than
120 days before the qualifying period opens for candidates in the party primary election.
Proposed law adds that a person who is not affiliated with a political party may sign the nominating
petition. Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Present law (R.S. 18:464(B)) provides for the amount of qualifying fees for candidates in primary
elections. Provides for the following fees for state candidates:
(1)For governor: $750.
(2)For justice of the supreme court, judge of a court of appeal, and member of the public service
commission: $450.
(3)For all other state candidates: $600.
Proposed law provides for the following qualifying fees:
(1) Increases the fee for governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, attorney general,
treasurer, commissioner of agriculture, and commissioner of insurance to $5,000.
(2)Increases the fee for United States senator and representative in congress to $2,500.
Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Present law (R.S. 18:465(C)) provides for the number of signatures required for a nominating
petition. Provides that the number of qualified voters who must timely sign a nominating petition
for a candidate for an office voted on throughout the state is 5,000. Further provides that no less than 500 of the signatures shall be from each congressional district into which the state is divided.
Proposed law provides that the number of signatures required for a nominating petition for a
candidate for an office voted on throughout the state is 2,500 instead of 5,000. Further provides that
no less than 250 of the signatures shall be from each congressional district into which the state is
divided instead of 500.
Effective in part when Act No. 1 of the First Extraordinary Session of the Legislature of Louisiana
becomes effective.
Effective in part upon signature of governor or lapse of time for gubernatorial action.
(Amends R.S. 410.5(A) and 464(B)(1) and 465(C)(1))