This bill amends and reenacts R.S. 18:1462.1(B) and enacts R.S. 18:1462.1(D) to regulate the conduct of exit polling during early voting and on election day in Louisiana. It specifies that no person may conduct an exit poll within polling places or within a 600-foot radius of polling entrances between 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. unless they have filed a registration statement with the secretary of state prior to the voting period. Additionally, the bill mandates that exit polls must be conducted in a nondisruptive manner.

The newly defined term "exit poll" refers to polls conducted by bona fide news gathering organizations to collect demographic information and ascertain voter choices on candidates and propositions. The bill clarifies that exit polls do not include inquiries about races or issues not on the ballot, nor do they involve disseminating information to voters. These changes aim to ensure that exit polling is conducted in an orderly fashion while protecting the integrity of the voting process.

Statutes affected:
SB80 Original: 18:1(D)
SB80 Engrossed: 18:1(D)
SB80 Enrolled: 18:1(B)