LEGISLATIVE FISCAL OFFICE
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note On: SB 235 SLS 21RS 294
Bill Text Version: ORIGINAL
Opp. Chamb. Action:
Proposed Amd.:
Sub. Bill For.:
Date: April 18, 2021 1:14 PM Author: HEWITT
Dept./Agy.: Secretary of State
Subject: Closed Party Primary System for Congressional Elections Analyst: Patrice Thomas
POLITICAL PARTIES OR +$5,500,000 GF EX See Note Page 1 of 1
Provides for a closed party primary system for congressional elections. (gov sig)
Proposed law creates a closed party primary system for congressional elections. Proposed law provides that recognized
political parties with a minimum membership of 5% of the state's registered voters as of sixty days before candidate
qualifying shall hold party primary elections to select a single candidate to advance to the general election. Proposed law
provides that voters are required to be members of the recognized political party to participate in its party primary unless
the bylaws and regulations of the party's state central committee allow for unaffiliated voters to participate. Proposed law
provides that the candidate who receives the most votes in a party primary election shall be declared the winner, or in the
event of a tie or all votes cast being declared void, a second party primary shall be held to determine the winner. Proposed
law effective 8/01/2021.
EXPENDITURES 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. $0 $5,500,000 $0 $5,500,000 $0 $11,000,000
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total $0 $5,500,000 $0 $5,500,000 $0 $11,000,000
REVENUES 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25 2025-26 5 -YEAR TOTAL
State Gen. Fd. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Agy. Self-Gen. $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Ded./Other $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Federal Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Local Funds $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
Annual Total $0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0
EXPENDITURE EXPLANATION
Proposed law will increase state expenditures by $5.5 M in FY 23 and FY 25, as well as biennially in future odd-numbered
fiscal years as a result of an additional election under a closed party primary system for congressional elections. The
proposed law creates a closed party primary system for congressional elections. The proposed law provides that political
parties with a minimum membership of 5% of the state’s registered voters as of 60 days before the candidate qualifying
period will be authorized to hold a party primary election to select a single candidate to advance to the general election. As
of 4/01/2021, only two political parties meet that requirement - the Democratic Party of LA and the Republican Party of LA.
Currently, under the open primary system, there are two congressional elections (primary election and congressional general
election). Under the proposed law, the number of congressional elections increases from two elections to three elections
(1st primary election, 2nd primary election/open primary, and congressional general election). The Secretary of State
reports that the average statewide election costs are $6 M. An additional closed primary election is anticipated to cost
slightly less at $5.5 M. Congressional elections occur every two years and are scheduled in the fall of even numbered years.
Proposed Law Election Schedule
FY 22 - Open Primary - October 9, 2021
Open General - November 13, 2021
FY 23 - 1st Party Primary - To Be Determined (TBD) (new election)
Open Primary/2nd Party Primary - November 8, 2022
Congressional General - December 10, 2022
FY 24 - Open Primary/2nd Party Primary/Gubernatorial - October 14, 2023
Gubernatorial General - November 18, 2023
FY 25 - 1st Party Primary - TBD (new election)
Open Primary/2nd Party Primary/Presidential - November 5, 2024
Congressional General - December 7, 2024
Note: FY 26 election schedule is not available.
REVENUE EXPLANATION
There is no anticipated direct material effect on governmental revenues as a result of this measure.
Senate Dual Referral Rules House
13.5.1 >= $100,000 Annual Fiscal Cost {S & H} x 6.8(F)(1) >= $100,000 SGF Fiscal Cost {H & S}
13.5.2 >= $500,000 Annual Tax or Fee Alan M. Boxberger
6.8(G) >= $500,000 Tax or Fee Increase
Change {S & H} or a Net Fee Decrease {S} Staff Director


Statutes affected:
SB235 Original: 18:44(A), 18:110(B)(1), 18:401(B), 18:402(B), 18:433(G)(1), 18:434(A)(1), 18:435(A)(1), 18:453(A), 18:467(2), 18:468(A), 18:491(A), 18:552(A), 18:1272(A), 18:1278(B), 18:1285(B)(1), 18:1300(C)(1), 18:7(A), 18:1306(A)(4), 18:1307(E), 18:1308(A)(2), 18:1314(B)(1), 18:1401(A), 18:1402(B)(1), 18:1406(B), 18:1409(B)(1), 18:1432(A)(1), 18:1461(A)(1)