Constitution of Louisiana (2024 publisher edition) — Article XI

Publisher edition notice: This complete Senate compilation is dated January 8, 2024 and includes amendments through calendar year 2023. Later amendments have not been independently verified.

Article XI

ARTICLE XI. ELECTIONS §1. Election Code Section 1. The legislature shall adopt an election code which shall provide for permanent registration of voters and for the conduct of all elections. §2. Secret Ballot; Absentee Voting; Preservation of Ballot Section 2. In all elections by the people, voting shall be by secret ballot. The legislature shall provide a method for absentee voting. Proxy voting is prohibited. Ballots shall be counted publicly and preserved inviolate as provided by law until any election contests have been settled. In all elections by persons in a representative capacity, voting shall be viva-voce. §3. Privilege from Arrest Section 3. While going to and returning from voting and while exercising the right to vote, an elector shall be privileged from arrest, except for felony or breach of the peace. §4. Prohibited Use of Public Funds Section 4. No public funds shall be used to urge any elector to vote for or against any candidate or proposition, or be appropriated to a candidate or political organization. This provision shall not prohibit the use of public funds for dissemination of factual information relative to a proposition appearing on an election ballot. §5. Registrar of Voters Section 5. The governing authority of each parish shall appoint a registrar of voters in the manner provided by law. The compensation, removal from office for cause, bond, powers, qualifications, and functions of the registrar shall be provided by law. Upon qualifying as a candidate for other public office, a registrar shall forfeit his office. No law shall provide for the removal from office of a registrar by the appointing authority. Added by Acts 2016, No. 677, §1, approved November 8, 2016, effective December 13, 2016. §6. Use of Monies, Goods, or Services for Conduct of Elections; Prohibitions Section 6. No funds, goods, or services donated by a foreign government or a nongovernmental source shall be used to conduct elections unless provided for in the election code and subject to restrictions provided by general law. Added by Acts 2023, No. 200, §1, approved October 14, 2023, eff. November 20, 2023.