Abstract: Requires individuals and entities intending to conduct a voter registration drive to first
register with the secretary of state and to acknowledge the laws relative to voter registration
activities including criminal offenses and provides for the related duties of the secretary of
state.
Present law provides that the secretary of state shall administer the laws relating to custody of voting
machines and voter registration, and for this purpose he shall perform enumerated functions and
duties. Present law specifically requires that the secretary of state provide for the voluntary
registration of individuals or entities that conduct voter registration drives.
Proposed law provides instead that the secretary of state shall provide for the registration for
individuals or entities that conduct voter registration drives. Further requires each individual or
entity that is not an election official or voter registration agency that intends to conduct a voter
registration drive to first register with the secretary of state either directly or through a registrar of
voters in the manner prescribed by the secretary of state. Requires the registration to include an
acknowledgment of the requirements applicable to voter registration activities as well as the election
offenses applicable to voter registration and voter registration activities.
Present law prohibits a person from knowingly, willfully, or intentionally failing to submit a
completed voter registration application collected through a registration drive to the registrar of
voters within 30 days of receipt of the completed application from the applicant.
Proposed law changes the time period a person has to submit the completed form to within 30 days
of receipt of the completed application from the applicant, or the date provided in present law (R.S.
18:135(A)(1) for the close of registration records prior to an election), whichever occurs first.
Present law provides that a person who violates present law shall be fined not more than $1,000 or
be imprisoned for not more than one year, or both. On a second offense, or any subsequent offense,
the penalty shall be a fine of not more than $2,500 or imprisonment for not more than five years, or
both. Violations of proposed law are subject to the present law penalties.
Proposed law does not apply to electronic voter registration drives.
Proposed law is not effective on June 30, 2025.
(Amends R.S. 18:18(A)(9) and 1461.7(A)(1); Adds R.S. 18:119)
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental
Affairs to the original bill:
1. Provide that an individual or entity that conducts voter registration drives may register
with the secretary of state either directly or through a registrar of voters.
2. Change the proposed new deadline to submit a completed voter registration application
from no later than the day prior to the close of registration records for the first election
that occurs after the completed registration application is collected to no later than the
date provided in R.S. 18:135(A)(1) for the close of registration records prior to an
election.
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Provide that proposed law does not apply to electronic voter registration drives.
2. Provide for effectiveness.


Statutes affected:
HB506 Original: 18:18(A)(9), 18:7(A)(1)
HB506 Engrossed: 18:18(A)(9), 18:7(A)(1)
HB506 Reengrossed: 18:18(A)(9), 18:7(A)(1)