Louisiana House Bill HR2

Louisiana 2020 2nd Special Session

• Introduced: 9/30/20
• Refer: 9/30/20
• Report Pass: 10/7/20
• Passed: 10/14/20

Caption

Requests the clerks of court to develop and utilize innovative strategies to recruit commissioners for polling places

Impact

If implemented, HR2 could lead to increased participation at polling places, thus potentially improving the efficiency and integrity of the electoral process. By emphasizing the importance of poll commissioners, the resolution aims to ensure that every election can be conducted without significant disruption. However, it also places the onus on local clerks to innovate in their recruitment efforts, suggesting adjustments to existing procedures and outreach methods to engage the community effectively. The resolution acknowledges past challenges but emphasizes a proactive approach to securing enough election workers.

Summary

House Resolution No. 2, introduced by Representative Duplessis, primarily addresses the need to enhance the recruitment of poll commissioners for elections in Louisiana. Citing a shortage reported by the Secretary of State, the resolution urges clerks of court to develop innovative strategies to attract more individuals to serve in this critical role. Poll commissioners are vital for maintaining order during elections, ensuring compliance with election laws, and assisting voters. The bill highlights the fluctuations in the required number of commissioners based on the size of elections, stressing the urgency of addressing vacancies, particularly in populous parishes like East Baton Rouge and Jefferson.

Sentiment

The sentiment around HR2 appears to be positive, focusing on civic engagement and public service. Legislators seem to support the resolution's goal of strengthening the electoral process through active recruitment of poll commissioners. By portraying the role of poll commissioners as essential for the success of elections, the resolution fosters a spirit of community involvement. Nevertheless, there are implicit challenges regarding how to effectively implement these innovative recruitment strategies, and the success of these efforts will depend on the cooperation of various stakeholders.

Contention

While HR2 is largely a unifying call for enhancing electoral participation, there remains a critical point of contention regarding how these recruitment strategies will be developed and executed. Stakeholders may have differing views on the best approaches to attract new poll commissioners, especially considering socio-economic barriers that could hinder community involvement. Additionally, while there seems to be broad support for increasing the pool of election workers, questions may arise about the training and qualifications needed for commissioners, and how these factors could impact voter trust in the electoral process.