The bill amends several sections of Louisiana's election laws to enhance the integrity and security of the voting process. Key provisions include the requirement for individuals assisting voters to complete a voter assistance form that captures their name, address, relationship to the voter, and whether they were compensated for their assistance. Additionally, the bill prohibits the distribution of unsolicited absentee by mail ballot applications and restricts the submission of such applications to immediate family members of the voter. It also establishes an emergency procedure for distributing absentee ballot applications in the event of a gubernatorially declared disaster or emergency.

Furthermore, the bill introduces new penalties for election offenses, specifically targeting the facilitation of absentee ballot applications and ballots in violation of election laws. It clarifies that if an absentee ballot is returned as undeliverable, the associated application will no longer be valid, requiring the voter to submit a new application with a current address. The effective date for the provisions related to voter assistance forms is set for January 1, 2025, while other sections will take effect upon the governor's signature or legislative approval following a veto.

Statutes affected:
SB218 Original: 18:564(B)(5), 18:1307(B)(1), 18:3(B)(4), 18:7(A)(6)
SB218 Engrossed: 18:564(B)(5), 18:1307(B)(1), 18:3(B)(4), 18:7(A)(6)
SB218 Reengrossed: 18:564(B)(5), 18:1307(B)(1), 18:3(B)(4), 18:7(A)(6)
SB218 Enrolled: 18:564(B)(5), 18:1307(B)(1), 18:3(B)(4), 18:7(A)(6)
SB218 Act 317: 18:564(B)(5), 18:1307(B)(1), 18:3(B)(4), 18:7(A)(6)