Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override a veto and pass a bill that increases requirements for absentee voting by mail.

Highlights:

• Requires that an absentee by mail ballot envelope has a perforated extension or flap below the sealing line, which is to bear a certificate prescribed by the secretary of state and approved by the attorney general that is to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following (Sec. 1):

• The number of the voter's Louisiana driver's license or special identification card issued according to R.S. 40:1321 or the last four digits of the voter's social security number if the voter does not have a Louisiana driver's license or special identification card issued according to R.S. 40:1321;

• The statement of the voter certifying that he does not possess a Louisiana driver's license or special identification card issued according to R.S. 40:1321 and has not been issued a social security number, if applicable; and

• An affidavit followed by a line for the handwritten signature or mark of the voter, certifying that the statements made by him are true and correct and that the voter is aware of the penalties for knowingly making a false statement therein, which penalties are to be stated on the certificate.

• Establishes that a person qualified to vote absentee by mail under this Chapter may make application therefore to the registrar by letter; over his signature or mark if the voter is unable to sign his name, signed by two witnesses who witnessed the applicant's mark; setting forth the following (Sec. 1):

• The number of the voter's Louisiana driver's license or special identification card issued according to R.S. 40:1321 and the last four digits of the voter's social security number, if issued; and

• If the person requests that a ballot for a general election be sent in addition to a ballot for the primary, he is to declare in writing to the registrar that he will be eligible to vote absentee by mail in the general election.

• Specifies that if the voter does not have one of the forms of identification provided in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, the voter is to complete and sign, in the presence of the registrar or his deputy, a voter identification affidavit to that effect provided by the secretary of state, which affidavit is to include the voter's date of birth, mother's maiden name, and the last four digits of the voter's social security number, if issued; however, if the voter is unable to read or write or is otherwise unable to complete the affidavit due to disability, the voter may receive assistance in completing the affidavit, and the registrar or his deputy is to make a notation on the affidavit and the voter may receive the assistance of any person of his choice (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the registrar or his deputy is to retain the affidavit in the office of the registrar of voters (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that candidates, their representatives, and qualified electors may be present during the preparation, verification, counting, and tabulation of absentee by mail and early voting ballots and if the counting and tabulation of absentee by mail and early voting ballots begin prior to the closing of the polls, the board is to give notice reasonably calculated to inform any person who wants to be present during the preparation, verification, counting, and tabulation that no person will be allowed to leave or to communicate with any other person outside, until such time as the polls are closed, nor shall any person who is present during the preparation, verification, counting, and tabulation of absentee by mail and early voting ballots possess a cellular telephone or electronic communication device (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the recordation or dissemination of any voter information read aloud during the process of preparation, verification, counting, and tabulation of absentee by mail and early voting ballots is expressly prohibited, and any person who knowingly, willfully, or intentionally violates this prohibition is to be subject to the criminal penalties applicable to violations of R.S. 18:1461.7(A)(5) and any other applicable penalties or remedies otherwise provided by law, including R.S. 14:67.16 (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the recordation or dissemination of any voter information read aloud during the process of preparation, verification, counting, and tabulation of absentee by mail and early voting ballots is expressly prohibited (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that during the preparation and verification process for the counting of absentee by mail and early voting ballots on the day before the election, as applicable, or the counting of absentee by mail and early voting ballots on election day, any candidate or his representative, member of the board, or qualified elector may challenge an absentee by mail or early voting ballot for cause, other than those grounds specified in R.S. 18:565(A) (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the reasons for challenging an absentee by mail ballot for cause is to include but not be limited to the information provided on the certificate or flap of the envelope containing the absentee by mail ballot not matching the voter's information as it appears on his voter registration (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that this Act is to become effective on January 1, 2023 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor John Bel Edwards

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that increases requirements for absentee voting by mail.

Highlights:

• Requires that an absentee by mail ballot envelope has a perforated extension or flap below the sealing line, which is to bear a certificate prescribed by the secretary of state and approved by the attorney general that is to include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following (Sec. 1):

• The number of the voter's Louisiana driver's license or special identification card issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1321 or the last four digits of the voter's social security number if the voter does not have a Louisiana driver's license or special identification card issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1321;

• The statement of the voter certifying that he does not possess a Louisiana driver's license or special identification card issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1321 and has not been issued a social security number, if applicable; and

• An affidavit followed by a line for the handwritten signature or mark of the voter, certifying that the statements made by him are true and correct and that the voter is aware of the penalties for knowingly making a false statement therein, which penalties are to be stated on the certificate.

• Establishes that a person qualified to vote absentee by mail under this Chapter may make application therefore to the registrar by letter; over his signature or mark if the voter is unable to sign his name, signed by two witnesses who witnessed the applicant's mark; setting forth the following (Sec. 1):

• The number of the voter's Louisiana driver's license or special identification card issued pursuant to R.S. 40:1321 and the last four digits of the voter's social security number, if issued; and

• If the person requests that a ballot for a general election be sent in addition to a ballot for the primary, he is to declare in writing to the registrar that he will be eligible to vote absentee by mail in the general election.

• Specifies that if the voter does not have one of the forms of identification provided in Subparagraph (a) of this Paragraph, the voter is to complete and sign, in the presence of the registrar or his deputy, a voter identification affidavit to that effect provided by the secretary of state, which affidavit is to include the voter's date of birth, mother's maiden name, and the last four digits of the voter's social security number, if issued; however, if the voter is unable to read or write or is otherwise unable to complete the affidavit due to disability, the voter may receive assistance in completing the affidavit, and the registrar or his deputy is to make a notation on the affidavit and the voter may receive the assistance of any person of his choice (Sec. 1). 

• Specifies that the registrar or his deputy is to retain the affidavit in the office of the registrar of voters (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that candidates, their representatives, and qualified electors may be present during the preparation, verification, counting, and tabulation of absentee by mail and early voting ballots and if the counting and tabulation of absentee by mail and early voting ballots begin prior to the closing of the polls, the board is to give notice reasonably calculated to inform any person who wants to be present during the preparation, verification, counting, and tabulation that no person will be allowed to leave or to communicate with any other person outside, until such time as the polls are closed, nor shall any person who is present during the preparation, verification, counting, and tabulation of absentee by mail and early voting ballots possess a cellular telephone or electronic communication device (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the recordation or dissemination of any voter information read aloud during the process of preparation, verification, counting, and tabulation of absentee by mail and early voting ballots is expressly prohibited, and any person who knowingly, willfully, or intentionally violates this prohibition is to be subject to the criminal penalties applicable to violations of R.S. 18:1461.7(A)(5) and any other applicable penalties or remedies otherwise provided by law, including R.S. 14:67.16 (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that the recordation or dissemination of any voter information read aloud during the process of preparation, verification, counting, and tabulation of absentee by mail and early voting ballots is expressly prohibited (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that during the preparation and verification process for the counting of absentee by mail and early voting ballots on the day before the election, as applicable, or the counting of absentee by mail and early voting ballots on election day, any candidate or his representative, member of the board, or qualified elector may challenge an absentee by mail or early voting ballot for cause, other than those grounds specified in R.S. 18:565(A) (Sec. 1).

• Establishes the reasons for challenging an absentee by mail ballot for cause is to include but not be limited to the information provided on the certificate or flap of the envelope containing the absentee by mail ballot not matching the voter's information as it appears on his voter registration (Sec. 1).

• Establishes that this Act is to become effective on January 1, 2023 (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text