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SB 248

VOTERS/VOTING: Provides for consolidation of precincts with fewer than 20 voters. (8/1/26)

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Greg Miller

Allows consolidating precincts with fewer than 20 eligible voters at an adjacent polling location, preserving access while reducing small-precinct operations.

Effective date 8/1/2026.
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 248

Summary of SB 248 (Louisiana, 2026 Regular Session)

Overview

  • Bill: SB 248
  • Jurisdiction: Louisiana
  • Title: Voters/Voting – Provides for consolidation of precincts with fewer than 20 voters
  • Original intent: Extend existing precinct closure rules to address very small precincts by allowing consolidation when certain conditions are met
  • Status: Amended and enacted amendments from the Senate Committee; effective date set to August 1, 2026 (as amended); original effective date in digest listed as February 1, 2027 (per initial bill language)
  • Primary sponsor: Senator Miller; Co-sponsor: Greg Miller

Purpose and Intent

SB 248 expands the circumstances under which a precinct may be closed or its voters redirected during an election. Specifically, it creates a pathway to consolidate a precinct that has fewer than 20 eligible voters in the voting district, where there exists another polling location within the same overall location that can accommodate the remaining eligible voters for the ballot items. The bill aims to streamline operations and reduce resources spent on operating extremely small precincts, while ensuring voters still have a polling place available at or near the same location.

Key Provisions and Changes

  • Retains the existing law on circumstances when a precinct may be closed during an election.
  • Adds a new scenario: if a precinct has fewer than 20 eligible voters in the voting district for any office or proposition on the ballot, and there is a polling place within the same location where the remaining eligible voters may vote, that location may be used for the voters instead of opening the small precinct.
  • The consolidation must occur within the same location as the polling place that would not be opened, ensuring proximity for voters.
  • Statutory amendments:
    • Amends R.S. 18:531.1(A)(intro para) and 531.1(A)(2)
    • Adds R.S. 18:531.1(A)(3) to codify the new scenario
  • Effective date:
    • Amending language reflects an effective date of August 1, 2026 (per the Senate Committee amendments)
    • Original bill text indicated an earlier effective date (February 1, 2027) before amendments
    • Final implementation date to be observed as August 1, 2026, per amendments (subject to final enactment and publication)

Affected Parties and Impacts

  • Voters: Benefit from potentially more efficient polling operations and maintained access to a polling location within or near their voting site, even if their original precinct is consolidated.
  • Local election officials and polling staff: Granted a clarified framework to consolidate very small precincts with fewer than 20 voters when a nearby polling location can serve the same location, potentially reducing overhead and resource needs.
  • Administrative systems: May require updates to precinct lists, polling place designations, and related election administration workflows to reflect consolidated precincts.

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

  • Amendments proposed by the Senate Committee on Senate and Governmental Affairs:
    • Removal of an explicit effective-date clause in one part of the bill (Adjusted language about effective date)
    • Retains overall effectiveness but aligns with the committee’s amendment to set or clarify the August 1, 2026 effective date
  • Legislative history highlights:
    • Pre-filed and referred to committee in February 2026
    • Passed Senate committee and full Senate with amendments in March 2026
    • Action history indicates the House consideration and potential final enactment after committee adjustments
  • Important caveat: Final enactment and publication will determine the exact operative date and any transitional requirements for counties implementing the changes

Practical Takeaways

  • The bill formalizes a process to consolidate extremely small precincts (fewer than 20 eligible voters) when a nearby polling location can accommodate the voters, simplifying precinct management while maintaining voter access at an equivalent location.
  • Local election officials should review precinct maps, polling place locations, and related administrative procedures to incorporate the new consolidation option once the bill is enacted and effective.

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

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