2011 Louisiana Laws
Revised Statutes
TITLE 18 — Louisiana election code
RS 18:1310 — Execution of certificate; marking of ballot; casting vote; assistance


LA Rev Stat § 18:1310 What's This?

§1310. Execution of certificate; marking of ballot; casting vote; assistance

A.(1) When a voter receives the absentee voting materials by mail, he first shall fill in all blanks on the certificate on the ballot envelope flap. The voter then shall mark the ballot according to the printed instructions on its face. Then the voter shall place the voted ballot in the envelope, seal the envelope, and sign the certificate on the ballot envelope flap.

(2) When a member of the United States Service or a person residing outside the United States who is registered to vote receives the absentee voting materials by electronic transmission, he first shall print all documents and fill in all blanks on the certificate and the waiver of the right to a secret ballot for each ballot mailing. The voter then shall mark the ballot or ballots according to the printed instructions on its face. The voter shall then place the voted ballot or ballots, completed certificate, and waiver of the right to a secret ballot for each ballot mailing in a separate envelope, seal the envelope, mark "Absentee Ballot Enclosed" on the envelope, and mail the envelope and its contents to the registrar of voters.

B.(1) No candidate in any election shall assist any voter in casting his ballot in that election.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in Paragraph (1) of this Subsection, a person otherwise qualified to vote by absentee by mail who is visually impaired or physically disabled or who is unable to read or write may receive assistance in voting absentee by mail from any person selected by him. The failure of a voter to furnish notice and proof during the time that the registration records are closed shall not deprive the voter of his right to receive assistance in voting if he complies with the requirements of the laws governing the conduct of elections with respect to assistance to voters in casting their votes as required by R.S. 18:564 or 1309.3.

(3) A person who is eligible for assistance in voting absentee by mail or early voting may, in the same manner, seek assistance in the signing of his name or making of his mark. Any person who assists a voter in signing his name or making his mark shall explain to the voter that a signature or mark so made certifies that all statements in the certificate, if applicable, are true and correct and that any person who knowingly provides false or incorrect statements is subject to a fine or imprisonment, or both.

C. Any person who assists a voter in voting absentee by mail or during early voting if paper ballots are utilized in early voting, shall execute the acknowledgment on the ballot envelope flap prepared by the secretary of state, verifying that the person providing the assistance has marked the ballot in the manner dictated by the voter.

Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2002, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 130, §1, eff. April 23, 2002; Acts 2005, No. 220, §4, eff. Jan. 1, 2006; Acts 2007, No. 240, §§1, 2; Acts 2009, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2010, No. 624, §1, eff. June 25, 2010; Acts 2011, No. 195, §1, eff. June 24, 2011.

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