RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
ACT 521 (SB 384) 2024 Regular Session Fields
Existing law (R.S. 18:1315) provided that during the preparation and verification process for
counting absentee by mail and early voting ballots, the ballots may be challenged for cause.
Further provides that if a challenge for cause is sustained by at least a majority of the
members of the parish board of election supervisors, the vote shall not be counted and the
board shall write "rejected" and the cause therefore across the ballot envelope or early voting
confirmation sheet, the board shall notify the voter within four business days.
New law retains existing law and requires the registrar to record the reason for the rejection
in the state voter registration system.
Existing law (R.S. 18:1317) provides that the secretary of state shall promulgate and adopt
rules as necessary to effectuate uniform and standardized processes for the review and curing
or rejection of deficient absentee by mail ballots by the parish board of election of
supervisors.
New law retains existing law and further requires the secretary to maintain records of all
ballots rejected pursuant to existing law and include information detailing the total number
of ballots rejected per parish and the reasons for their rejection in the post-election statistical
data published to the secretary's website.
Effective July 1, 2025.
(Amends R.S. 18:1315(C)(3)(a) and 1317)


Statutes affected:
SB384 Original: 18:104(B), 18:562(A)(2), 18:1306(E)(1), 18:1307(A), 18:1309(D)(1)
SB384 Engrossed: 18:1309(D)(1)
SB384 Enrolled: 18:1315(C)(3)
SB384 Act 521: 18:1315(C)(3)