The bill amends and reenacts specific provisions of Louisiana's election law regarding the challenge and rejection of absentee by mail and early voting ballots. It establishes that if a challenge to a ballot is sustained, the board must document the rejection and notify the voter in writing, including the reason for the rejection. Notably, the registrar is now required to record the reason for the rejection in the state voter registration computer system, enhancing the tracking of rejected ballots.

Additionally, the bill mandates that the secretary of state create uniform processes for reviewing and addressing deficiencies in absentee by mail ballots. It requires the maintenance of records for all ballots rejected under the specified provisions, including detailed statistics on the number of rejections per parish and the reasons for these rejections. This information will be included in the post-election statistical data published on the secretary of state's website, promoting transparency in the electoral process. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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)