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HB 379

ELECTION CODE: Provides relative to the qualifications of election commissioners

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Kim Carver

Allows 17-year-olds in 11th grade (or equivalent home study) to serve as precinct election commissioners in their precinct.

Effective date: 08/01/2026.
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Bill Summary · HB 379

Summary of HB 379 (2026) — Louisiana Election Code: Qualifications of Election Commissioners

Purpose

HB 379 seeks to expand the pool of individuals eligible to serve as election commissioners by allowing certain 17-year-olds to serve. Specifically, it adds eligibility for those who are enrolled in the 11th grade or participating at the 11th grade level in an approved home study program.

Key Provisions

  • Amends R.S. 18:425(B)(5) to modify eligibility rules for election commissioners.
  • Current law baseline: A person who is at least 17 but under 18, and not a qualified voter, may be selected to serve as a commissioner in any precinct where they would register to vote, provided they meet certain educational or diploma requirements (primarily related to completing 12th grade, holding a high school diploma, completion of an approved home study program, or having a GED).
  • Proposed law addition: Adds a new pathway for eligibility:
    • A person who is at least 17 years old, under 18, and enrolled in the 11th grade of any Louisiana public high school or a state-approved nonpublic high school, or participating at the 11th grade level in a State Board-approved home study program, may serve as a precinct election commissioner.
    • This is in addition to existing qualifications (which currently emphasize 12th grade completion, diplomas, or GED).

Who Would Be Affected

  • Potential election commissioners who are 17 years old but not yet 18.
  • Specifically, students in the 11th grade (public or state-approved nonpublic) or those in an approved 11th-grade home study program would become eligible to serve as commissioners in the precinct where they reside (as long as they are otherwise eligible to serve under existing law).

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • The bill amends an existing statutory provision (R.S. 18:425(B)(5)).
  • It does not introduce new procedural steps beyond the current requirements for becoming a commissioner, but it expands the age/education eligibility window.
  • Sponsor and status: Carver (co-sponsor Kim Carver). The bill passed several steps in 2026, with favorable reports and floor actions noted in the legislative history.

Potential Impacts

  • Short-term: Broader eligibility could increase the pool of available election commissioners, potentially helping with staffing for elections, especially in precincts that rely on younger volunteers.
  • Long-term: If 11th-graders are eligible, there may be a need for clarifications on training, certification, and ongoing duties to ensure compliance with election regulations and safeguarding of election integrity.
  • Considerations: As this change involves individuals who are not yet eligible voters, oversight and education requirements (e.g., the required course of instruction and certificate of instruction) remain a relevant framework to ensure staff understand roles, responsibilities, and compliance.

Additional Notes

  • The bill retains all current elements of the law regarding qualifications, duties, and training for election commissioners, while adding the new 11th-grade eligibility pathway.
  • The language emphasizes that eligibility is contingent on meeting the age and educational status criteria and being in the precinct where they register to vote, consistent with existing provisions.

If you’d like, I can provide a side-by-side comparison of current law vs. the bill’s changes or a plain-language FAQ for voters and local election officials.

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

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