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 420 Engrossed 2025 Regular Session Billings
Abstract: Provides for the qualifications, maintenance, and recognition of political parties.
Present law (R.S. 18:107) provides that an applicant does not need to be a member of a political
party (party) in order to be registered to vote. Provides that a registrant may change party affiliation,
choose to be affiliated with a party if the registrant previously was not affiliated, or choose to not be
affiliated with a party if the registrant was previously affiliated. Further provides that a registrant
cannot be affiliated with more than one party at the same time.
Proposed law retains present law.
Proposed law provides that on or after August 1, 2025, a registrant will not be allowed to register
as "Independent" or with the "Independent Party". Provides that an applicant who applies to register
as "Independent" or with the "Independent Party" will have his affiliation changed to "No Party".
Further provides that a registrant who was registered as "Independent" or with the "Independent
Party" before August 1, 2025, will have his affiliation changed to "No Party". Requires the Dept.
of State to notify the registrant of the change in affiliation.
Present law (R.S. 18:441) provides for how a party is to be recognized. Provides that a party will
be recognized if 90 days before the opening of the qualifying period for any election, the party has
at least 1,000 registered voters in the state that are affiliated with that party; the party has filed a
notarized registration statement with the secretary of state; and the party has paid a registration fee
of $1,000 to the secretary of state.
Proposed law increases the registered voter threshold from 1,000 to 5,000. Further provides for an
increase to the registration fee from $1,000 to $5,000. Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Present law provides for what is to be contained in a party's registration statement. Further provides
for when a party's registration statement will not be accepted by the secretary of state.
Proposed law prohibits a party from being recognized when using the name "Independent" or the
"Independent Party". Proposed law otherwise retains present law.
Present law provides that a political party will be recognized if any one candidate of the party for
presidential elector received at least five percent of the votes cast for presidential electors in the last
presidential election, or if one candidate of the party for any statewide office received at least five
percent of the votes cast for statewide office in any primary or general election. Provides that a party will no longer be recognized if it does not comply with present law for a period of four consecutive
years.
Proposed law retains preset law.
Proposed law provides for dissolution of a party. Provides that a party may create a procedure for
dissolution in the party's bylaws. Provides that a party may request to be dissolved through a
notarized dissolution statement made in accordance with the party's bylaws. Further provides that
a registrant who is affiliated with a party that is dissolved, will have his party affiliation changed to
"No Party". Requires the Dept. of State to notify the registrant of the change in affiliation.
(Amends R.S. 18:441(B)(1); Adds R.S. 18:107(G) and 441(B)(4) and (E))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill:
1. Replace the words "rescission" and "rescinded" with "dissolution" and "dissolved".
2. Provide for a political party's dissolution rather than the party's rescission of recognition.
3. Provide that the Dept. of State include an explanation for the change in registration
within a notice that is sent to a registrant who has his party affiliation changed pursuant
to proposed law.