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Bill

HB 696

ELECTION CODE: Provides relative to early voting

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Les Farnum

Allows the secretary of state to create policies and procedures to implement and standardize early voting in Louisiana.

Read by title, under the rules, referred to the Committee on House and Governmental Affairs.
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Bill Summary · HB 696

Overview

  • Bill: HB 696 (Louisiana)
  • Session: 2026 Regular Session
  • Jurisdiction: Louisiana
  • Topic: Early voting procedures
  • Sponsor: Rep. Farnum (co-sponsor: Les Farnum)
  • Purpose: Authorize the secretary of state to establish policies and procedures to implement early voting requirements in the Election Code

Main purpose and intent

  • To empower the Louisiana secretary of state to develop and issue policies and procedures that govern the implementation of early voting.
  • The bill adds authority to set administrative rules to ensure early voting is carried out consistently and in accordance with the Election Code.

Key provisions and changes

  • Adds a new provision: R.S. 18:1309(O)
    • Text: The secretary of state may establish policies and procedures to provide for the implementation of this section (early voting).
  • Effect of proposed law:
    • Places discretion in the secretary of state to create detailed guidelines, processes, and administrative steps related to early voting.
    • This supplements existing law governing early voting by clarifying that the secretary can adopt further rules to implement early voting procedures.

Who or what would be affected

  • State level: Secretary of State gains explicit authority to promulgate policies and procedures for early voting.
  • Local election administrators (registrars of voters) would implement and follow these policies and procedures as part of administering early voting.
  • Voters: Potentially impacted by how early voting is conducted (hours, locations, identification verifications, ballot handling) depending on the policies issued, though the bill itself does not specify substantive changes to voter rights or eligibility.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • The amendment is procedural in nature, granting authority rather than establishing specific new procedures or timelines.
  • Effective date: The bill text does not specify a separate effective date; it would take effect according to Louisiana’s general effective-date rules for acts adopted in the 2026 session (typically July 1 for many acts unless otherwise provided).
  • Legislative status: As of the provided information, HB 696 has been introduced and referred to the House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs; no final passage details are included.

Potential implications

  • Standardization: Could lead to more standardized implementation of early voting across parishes via state-issued policies.
  • Flexibility: Gives the secretary of state flexibility to adapt procedures in response to changing needs, logistics, or legal considerations without requiring new legislation.
  • Implementation burden: Local registrars would need to align operations with the secretary’s policies, which could affect training, scheduling, and resource allocation for early voting.

If you’d like, I can compare HB 696 to current Louisiana early voting provisions to highlight any substantive gaps or clarifications this bill introduces.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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