House Bill No. [insert number] seeks to amend and update various sections of the Louisiana Election Code, particularly focusing on voter registration, absentee voting, and the responsibilities of election officials. Key provisions include the requirement for the Department of State to mail registration notices to applicants and provide unredacted copies of registration applications upon request. The bill clarifies the roles of the registrar of voters and the Department of State in managing voter registration and notifications, introduces new definitions and procedures for absentee ballots and early voting, and enhances the confidentiality of voter information, especially for law enforcement officers and minors. Additionally, it repeals outdated provisions and establishes guidelines for the confidentiality of participants in the Address Confidentiality Program.

The bill also modifies existing laws regarding absentee voting procedures, emphasizing the confidentiality of the voting process and the secure handling of ballots. It specifies that the registrar is not required to send a second ballot by facsimile if a ballot has already been mailed, and it introduces new language regarding the waiver of the right to a secret ballot. Furthermore, the bill expands provisions for military and overseas voters, allowing electronic ballot requests and ensuring timely delivery of materials. It replaces the term "envelope" with "container" to enhance security in ballot storage and processing, and outlines procedures for recounts and challenges to absentee ballots, aiming to modernize the election process and ensure the integrity of voting in Louisiana.

Statutes affected:
HB496 Original: 18:103(B)(4), 18:104(F), 18:1(C)(1), 18:154(B)(1), 18:175(D), 18:192(A)(1), 18:193(B), 18:195(A), 18:196(A)(1), 18:402(C), 18:444(H)(2), 18:467(3), 18:562(B)(2), 18:565(B), 18:566(B), 18:2(F)(2), 18:571(A)(8), 18:573(E)(1), 18:574(F), 18:581(3), 18:22(B)(1), 18:1306(E)(1), 18:1308(A)(1), 18:1(A), 18:1309(E)(5), 18:1310(A)(1), 18:1312(B), 18:1313(A), 18:1(C)(3), 18:1315(C)(2), 18:1333(E), 18:110(A)(3), 18:154(I), 18:443(F), 18:2(6), 18:444(F), 18:445(A)(3)
HB496 Engrossed: 18:103(B)(4), 18:104(F), 18:1(C)(1), 18:154(B)(1), 18:175(D), 18:192(A)(1), 18:193(B), 18:195(A), 18:196(A)(1), 18:402(C), 18:444(H)(2), 18:467(3), 18:562(B)(2), 18:565(B), 18:566(B), 18:2(F)(2), 18:571(A)(8), 18:573(E)(1), 18:574(F), 18:581(3), 18:22(B)(1), 18:3(E), 18:1306(E)(1), 18:1308(A)(1), 18:1(A), 18:1309(E)(5), 18:1310(A)(1), 18:1312(B), 18:1313(A), 18:1(C)(3), 18:1315(C)(2), 18:1333(E), 18:110(A)(3), 18:154(I), 18:443(F), 18:2(6), 18:444(F), 18:445(A)(3)
HB496 Reengrossed: 18:103(B)(4), 18:104(F), 18:1(C)(1), 18:154(B)(1), 18:175(D), 18:192(A)(1), 18:193(B), 18:195(A), 18:196(A)(1), 18:402(C), 18:444(H)(2), 18:467(3), 18:562(B)(2), 18:565(B), 18:566(B), 18:2(F)(2), 18:571(A)(8), 18:573(E)(1), 18:574(F), 18:581(3), 18:22(B)(1), 18:3(E), 18:1306(E)(1), 18:1308(A)(1), 18:1(A), 18:1309(E)(5), 18:1310(A)(1), 18:1312(B), 18:1313(A), 18:1(C)(3), 18:1315(C)(2), 18:1333(E), 18:110(A)(3), 18:154(I), 18:443(F), 18:2(6), 18:444(F), 18:445(A)(3)
HB496 Enrolled: 18:103(B)(4), 18:104(F), 18:1(C)(1), 18:154(B)(1), 18:175(D), 18:192(A)(1), 18:193(B), 18:195(A), 18:196(A)(1), 18:402(C), 18:444(H)(2), 18:467(3), 18:562(B)(2), 18:565(B), 18:566(B), 18:2(F)(2), 18:571(A)(8), 18:573(E)(1), 18:574(F), 18:581(3), 18:22(B)(1), 18:3(E), 18:1306(E)(1), 18:1308(A)(1), 18:1(A), 18:1309(E)(5), 18:1310(A)(1), 18:1312(B), 18:1313(A), 18:1(C)(3), 18:1315(C)(2), 18:1333(E), 18:110(A)(3), 18:154(I), 18:443(F), 18:2(6), 18:444(F), 18:445(A)(3)
HB496 Act 91: 18:103(B)(4), 18:104(F), 18:1(C)(1), 18:154(B)(1), 18:175(D), 18:192(A)(1), 18:193(B), 18:195(A), 18:196(A)(1), 18:402(C), 18:444(H)(2), 18:467(3), 18:562(B)(2), 18:565(B), 18:566(B), 18:2(F)(2), 18:571(A)(8), 18:573(E)(1), 18:574(F), 18:581(3), 18:22(B)(1), 18:3(E), 18:1306(E)(1), 18:1308(A)(1), 18:1(A), 18:1309(E)(5), 18:1310(A)(1), 18:1312(B), 18:1313(A), 18:1(C)(3), 18:1315(C)(2), 18:1333(E), 18:110(A)(3), 18:154(I), 18:443(F), 18:2(6), 18:444(F), 18:445(A)(3)