RÉSUMÉ DIGEST
SB 224 2021 Regular Session Cloud
Present law provides for the information required to be included on absentee by mail ballot
envelope certificates.
Proposed law would retain the requirements in present law and additionally require the
certificate to include the voter's Louisiana driver's license or special identification card
number or last four digits of the voter's social security number if the voter does not have a
Louisiana driver's license or special identification card. Would further require that the
statement certify that the voter does not possess a Louisiana driver's license or special
identification card and has not been issued a social security number, if applicable.
Present law provides for the information required to be included on an application for an
absentee by mail ballot.
Proposed law would retain the requirements in present law and additionally require the
application to include the voter's Louisiana driver's license or special identification card
number or last four digits of the voter's social security number, if issued.
Present law provides for the information required to be included on the affidavit utilized by
early voters who do not possess a Louisiana driver's license, special identification card, other
generally recognized picture identification card that contains the voter's name and signature,
or United States military picture identification card that contains the voter's name and
signature.
Proposed law would retain the requirements in present law and additionally require the
affidavit to include the last four digits of the voter's social security number.
Present law provides for the verification of the voter information contained on the certificate
or flap of the envelope containing an absentee by mail ballot by parish boards of election
supervisors during the counting and tabulation process.
Proposed law would retain the verification of the information required in present law and
further require verification of the additional voter information required to be provided on the
certificate or envelope flap in proposed law.
Present law provides that any person present during the preparation, verification, counting,
and tabulation of absentee by mail and early voting ballots may leave the location where the
process is taking place or communicate with any person outside until the close of polls, nor
shall they possess a cellular telephone or electronic device.
Proposed law would retain present law and further expressly prohibit the recordation or
dissemination of any voter information read aloud during the process. Would provide that
any person who knowingly, willfully, or intentionally violates this prohibition be subject to
the criminal penalties applicable to violations of certain mandatory provisions of the Election
Code (R.S. 18:1461.7(A)(5)) and any other applicable penalties or remedies otherwise
provided by law, including penalties for identify theft (R.S. 14:67.16).
Present law provides for the grounds for challenging an absentee by mail or early voting
ballot during the counting preparation and verification process.
Proposed law would retain present law and further provide that reasons for challenging an
absentee by mail ballot for cause shall include, but not be limited to, the information
provided on the certificate or flap of the envelope containing the absentee by mail ballot not
matching the voter's information as it appears on his voter registration.
Present law provides for the grounds for challenging an absentee by mail or early voting
ballots cast in an election impaired as a result of a declared disaster or emergency during the
counting preparation and verification process.
Proposed law would delete present law.
Would become effective January 1, 2023.
(Proposed to amend R.S. 18:1306(E)(1)(f), 1307(A)(9), 1309(D)(1)(b), 1313(E) and (G)(2),
1313.1(E) and (G)(2), and 1315(B); add R.S. 18:1306(E)(1)(g) and (h) and 1307(A)(10))
VETO MESSAGE: "Please be advised that I have vetoed Senate Bill 224 of the 2021
Regular Session.
This bill, as finally passed, would require more stringent requirements to make
application to vote absentee by mail than what is currently required to actually vote absentee
by mail. The crux of the fate of this bill lies with Louisiana election law being changed in the
haste of the final days and without proper debate making it more difficult for the voters of
Louisiana to vote absentee by mail. Louisiana election law being changed overnight without
proper vetting is an incredible disservice to the people of the state. We should strive to make
access to voting easier for voters, not create barriers."


Statutes affected:
SB224 Original: 18:1308(B)
SB224 Engrossed: 18:1306(E)(1), 18:1307(A)(9), 18:1309(D)(1), 18:1313(G)(2), 18:1(G)(2), 18:1315(B)
SB224 Reengrossed: 18:1306(E)(1), 18:1307(A)(9), 18:1309(D)(1), 18:1313(E), 18:1(E), 18:1315(B)
SB224 Enrolled: 18:1306(E)(1), 18:1307(A)(9), 18:1309(D)(1), 18:1313(E), 18:1(E), 18:1315(B)