Louisiana HB 270: VOTERS/VOTING: Provides for absentee voting by mail by qualified incarcerated voters (OR SEE FISC NOTE GF EX)

Bill Text

HLS 26RS-1032 ORIGINAL
2026 Regular Session
HOUSE BILL NO. 270
BY REPRESENTATIVE TERRY LANDRY
VOTERS/VOTING: Provides for absentee voting by mail by qualified incarcerated voters
1 AN ACT
2 To enact R.S. 18:115(F)(2)(f), relative to absentee voting by mail; to provide for voting by
3 qualified incarcerated voters; to provide for absentee voting following registration
4 by mail; and to provide for related matters.
5 Be it enacted by the Legislature of Louisiana:
6 Section 1. R.S. 18:115(F)(2)(f) is hereby enacted to read as follows:
7 §115. Registration by mail
8 * * *
9 F.
10 * * *
11 (2) The provisions of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection shall not apply in the
12 case of the following:
13 * * *
14 (f) A person who is incarcerated in an institution inside or outside the parish
15 in which he is qualified to vote and who requests to vote absentee by mail pursuant
16 to R.S. 18:1303(G).
17 * * *
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.

HLS 26RS-1032 ORIGINAL
HB NO. 270
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HB 270 Original 2026 Regular Session Terry Landry
Abstract: Provides that an eligible incarcerated voter may vote absentee by mail the first
time after applying to vote by mail.
Present law (R.S. 18:1303(G)) authorizes a person who is incarcerated in an institution
inside or outside the parish in which he is qualified to vote but who is not under an order of
imprisonment for conviction of a felony to vote absentee by mail upon certification to the
appropriate registrar by the sheriff of the parish where the person is incarcerated that he is
not a convicted felon.
Proposed law retains present law.
Present law (R.S. 18:115) requires a registered voter who has registered by mail and has not
previously voted in the parish to vote in person either at a location where early voting is
conducted or at the precinct in which he is registered.
Proposed law retains present law and provides for an exception that an incarcerated voter is
not required to vote in person.
(Adds R.S. 18:115(F)(2)(f))
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CODING: Words in struck through type are deletions from existing law; words underscored
are additions.