The bill, HB 873, introduces significant changes to election procedures, particularly regarding dual candidacy and candidate qualifications. It prohibits individuals from running for more than one office if the general election date for one office coincides with the primary election date for another, with the exception of political party committee positions. The bill also expands the Board of Ethics' authority to investigate candidate qualifications for a second party primary and modifies deadlines for voter assignments and the annual canvass of voters, extending them from 51 days to 58 days and from June 30 to July 31, respectively. Additionally, it restructures the timeline for primary and general elections to create a six-week gap between them and clarifies the process for selecting party nominees in the event of a candidate's death.

Moreover, HB 873 specifies reporting requirements for campaign finance, particularly during the period leading up to a second party primary, and establishes that special reports for contributions and expenditures are due within two business days. It reaffirms the distinction between primary and general elections, treating them as separate events, and outlines the reporting periods for these elections. The bill also modifies the effective date of Act No. 1 of the 2024 1st Extraordinary Session, setting it to take effect on August 1, 2025, for election qualifications, while other provisions will become effective on January 1, 2026. Lastly, it instructs the Louisiana State Law Institute to update citation references in existing law to reflect the repeal of certain provisions.

Statutes affected:
HB873 Original:
HB873 Engrossed:
HB873 Reengrossed:
HB873 Re-Reengrossed:
HB873 Enrolled: 18:44(A), 18:58(B)(2), 18:192(A)(1), 18:7(A), 18:453(A), 18:1285(B)(1), 18:1309(M)(1), 18:1401(B), 18:1406(B), 18:1409(B)(1), 18:1432(A)(1), 18:1483(8), 18:6(B)(1), 18:4(B)(1), 18:1(C), 18:2(H)(3)
HB873 Act 640: 18:44(A), 18:58(B)(2), 18:192(A)(1), 18:7(A), 18:453(A), 18:1285(B)(1), 18:1309(M)(1), 18:1401(B), 18:1406(B), 18:1409(B)(1), 18:1432(A)(1), 18:1483(8), 18:6(B)(1), 18:4(B)(1), 18:1(C), 18:2(H)(3)