Louisiana House Bill HB168

Louisiana 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/26/19
• Refer: 3/26/19
• Refer: 4/8/19
• Report Pass: 5/1/19
• Engrossed: 5/14/19
• Refer: 5/15/19
• Report Pass: 5/28/19

Caption

Amends the crime of filing or maintaining false public records

Impact

If enacted, HB 168 would result in stricter penalties for those who engage in the practice of submitting false voter registration applications. The proposed law retains existing penalties for filing or maintaining false public records, which include fines of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for a maximum of five years. By criminalizing the act of filing false statements in voter registrations specifically, the law aims to deter individuals from attempting to manipulate the voting system by pretending to be eligible voters when they are not.

Summary

House Bill 168 aims to amend the existing law regarding the filing or maintaining of false public records by adding voter registration applications that contain false claims of U.S. citizenship to the list of applicable offenses. This proposal reinforces the illegalities surrounding the submission of fraudulent public documents with intent to mislead authorities about one's legal status. The introduction of this amendment suggests a focus on protecting the integrity of the electoral process and ensuring that only eligible citizens participate in elections.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding HB 168 appears to be largely supportive among proponents who advocate for election integrity and transparency. Supporters contend that the bill is a necessary step to protect democracy from fraudulent activities. However, there may be opposition from civil rights groups and individuals who argue that such measures could disproportionately affect marginalized communities and discourage legitimate voters from participating due to fears of wrongful accusations or penalties.

Contention

A notable point of contention regarding HB 168 is the balance between enforcing election integrity and ensuring access to voting rights. Critics may argue that expanding the definition of fraudulent voter registration could lead to voter suppression, particularly among groups that already experience barriers to voting. The debate reflects broader national conversations about how to handle election security without infringing upon the rights of eligible voters.