LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note On: HB 347 HLS 24RS 695
Bill Text Version: ORIGINAL
Opp. Chamb. Action:
Proposed Amd.:
Sub. Bill For.:
Date: March 25, 2024 6:15 PM Author: GREEN
Dept./Agy.: Department of State
Subject: Extends Early Voting Analyst: Kimberly Fruge
ELECTION DAYS OR +$2,472,443 GF EX See Note Page 1 of 2
Extends the duration of the early voting period
Current law provides for early voting for a period of 14 to 7 days before a non-presidential election day, excluding holidays
and Sundays. For president elections, current law provides for early voting for a period of 18 to 7 days prior to the
presidential election.
Proposed law extends early voting for all elections for a period of 21 days to 7 days prior to the election, excluding holidays
but including Sundays.
EXPENDITURES 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. $2,472,443 $2,768,868 $3,691,464 $3,691,464 $2,432,443 $15,056,682
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds INCREASE INCREASE INCREASE INCREASE INCREASE
Annual Total
REVENUES 2024-25 2025-26 2026-27 2027-28 2028-29 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Agy. Self-Gen. SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW SEE BELOW
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total
EXPENDITURE EXPLANATION
Proposed law will result in a significant increase in SGF expenditures by the Department of State and an indeterminable
increase in Local Funds expenditures for Registrars of Voters to extend the early voting period for all elections. The proposed
law extends early voting from 21 days to 7 days before an election, including Saturdays and Sundays. By extending the
early voting period, proposed law would increase overtime and travel expenses for Election Operations Division staff within
the Secretary of State (SOS) as well as overtime expenses for Registrars of Voters and costs for Early Voting Commissioners
hired to assist with early voting. The SOS reports a one-time expenditure of $40,000 is necessary for IT development to
implement proposed law.
In summary, the cost to expand early voting for a weekend day is $164,957 and the cost to expand early voting for a
weekday is $85,599; a breakdown of costs can be found on page two. Presidential elections in FY 25 and FY 29 will increase
the costs by $586,711 for an additional two Sundays ($164,957 x 2) and three weekdays ($85,599 x 3). All other statewide
elections will increase costs by $922,866 for an additional two Sundays ($164,957 x 2), one Saturday ($164,957), and five
weekdays ($85,599 x 5). The SOS assumes non-statewide elections will decrease costs by 50%, to $461,433. To the extent
municipal/local elections happen in more or less than 50% of the state then costs will increase or decrease accordingly.
Below is a breakdown of costs for the additional days of early voting per fiscal year:
FY 25 - $2,432,443 - 1 presidential statewide election, 1 regular statewide election, 2 non-statewide elections
FY 26 - $2,768,868- 2 statewide elections, 2 non-statewide elections
FY 27 - $3,691,464 - 4 statewide elections
FY 28 - $3,691,464 - 4 statewide elections
FY 29 - $2,432,443 - 1 presidential statewide election, 1 regular statewide election, 2 non-statewide elections
Election expenses incurred by the registrar of voters to perform responsibilities associated with early voting are paid by the
state and are considered reimbursable expenses. The appropriate local governing authority is responsible for reimbursing the
state based on the pro rata share of any instruments included on the ballot. CONTINUED ON PAGE TWO
REVENUE EXPLANATION
Proposed law may result in an increase in SGR revenues for the Department of State. Election expenses are paid upfront by
the department and local governing authorities reimburse the department for a fraction of the costs based on the pro rata
shares of any instruments included on the ballot. Any increase in revenue as a result of proposed law is unknown.
Senate Dual Referral Rules House
x 13.5.1 >= $100,000 Annual Fiscal Cost {S & H} x 6.8(F)(1) >= $100,000 SGF Fiscal Cost {H & S}
13.5.2 >= $500,000 Annual Tax or Fee Patrice Thomas
6.8(G) >= $500,000 Tax or Fee Increase
Change {S & H} or a Net Fee Decrease {S} Deputy Fiscal Officer
 LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note On: HB 347 HLS 24RS 695
Bill Text Version: ORIGINAL
Opp. Chamb. Action:
Proposed Amd.:
Sub. Bill For.:
Date: March 25, 2024 6:15 PM Author: GREEN
Dept./Agy.: Department of State
Subject: Extends Early Voting Analyst: Kimberly Fruge
CONTINUED EXPLANATION from page one: Page 2 of 2
EXPENDITURE EXPLANATION CONTINUED:
Saturdays and Sundays:
The Secretary of State estimates the cost per Sunday of early voting would be $164,957, which includes the average
overtime costs per day for Registrar of Voters ($87,700), part-time Registrar of Voters staff ($1,200), Early Voting Election
Commissioners ($59,600), staff within the SOS’s Election Operations Division ($15,750), and overtime for IT help desk staff
($707). For the presidential elections in FY 25 and FY 29, proposed law extends early voting by two Sundays, for all other
elections proposed law extends early voting by two Sundays and one Saturday.
Weekdays:
The Secretary of State estimates the cost per additional weekday of early voting would be $85,599, which includes the
average overtime costs per day for Registrar of Voters ($20,881), part-time Registrar of Voters staff ($1,200), Early Voting
Election Commissioners ($59,600), staff within the SOS’s Election Operations Division ($3,750), and overtime for IT help
desk staff ($168). For the presidential elections in FY 25 and FY 29, proposed law extends early voting by three weekdays,
for all other elections proposed law extends early voting by five weekdays.
Senate Dual Referral Rules House
x 13.5.1 >= $100,000 Annual Fiscal Cost {S & H} x 6.8(F)(1) >= $100,000 SGF Fiscal Cost {H & S}
13.5.2 >= $500,000 Annual Tax or Fee Patrice Thomas
6.8(G) >= $500,000 Tax or Fee Increase
Change {S & H} or a Net Fee Decrease {S} Deputy Fiscal Officer


Statutes affected:
HB347 Original: 18:1309(A)(1)