§ La. R.S. 18:51(untitled)

Registrar for each parish; appointment; commission; bond and oath
A. There shall be a registrar of voters for each parish in the state, who shall be appointed by the
governing authority of the parish in the manner provided in this Section and R.S. 18:51.1.
B.(1) Upon receipt of notice and supporting documentation from the governing authority that show the
governing authority complied with the requirements of this Section and R.S. 18:51.1 in appointing the
registrar, the governor shall issue a commission to the registrar, who thereupon shall make the bond,
subscribe to the oath, and receive the compensation prescribed in this Chapter.
(2) If the governing authority fails to submit notice and documentation pursuant to Paragraph (1) of this
Subsection or if the notice and documentation submitted by the governing authority is not sufficient to show
the governing authority complied with the requirements of this Section and R.S. 18:51.1 in appointing the
registrar, the governor shall not issue a commission to the registrar but shall instead send notice to the
governing authority that it has failed to show compliance.
C.(1)(a) A vacancy for any cause in the office of registrar shall be filled by the parish governing
authority within ninety days after the date on which the vacancy occurs. An appointment to fill a vacancy
that is made prior to the time the office is actually vacated is premature and without effect. The parish
governing authority shall advertise the vacancy and solicit applications for the office in the manner provided
in R.S. 18:51.1.
(b) Until the appointment is made, the chief deputy shall perform the duties of the registrar in a parish
having a chief deputy. If there is no chief deputy, within forty-eight hours after the office becomes vacant,
the parish governing authority shall appoint a person temporarily to perform the duties of the registrar until
the parish governing authority fills the vacancy as provided in this Section. However, if the parish governing
authority neither fills the vacancy nor, in a parish having no chief deputy, designates a person temporarily
to perform the duties of registrar within forty-eight hours after the office becomes vacant, the State Board
of Election Supervisors shall appoint a person to perform the duties until the parish governing authority fills
the vacancy. A person appointed temporarily to perform the duties of registrar shall have authority to register
voters in accordance with law.
(2) The person performing the duties of registrar until the parish governing authority makes its
appointment shall be issued a commission by the governor and shall give the bond required of a registrar of
voters, unless the person previously has done so in his capacity as deputy registrar. He shall receive the
compensation prescribed by this Chapter for the registrar. If the person appointed by the State Board of
Election Supervisors held a position in the office of the registrar prior to such appointment, then upon the
appointment of a registrar to fill the vacancy, he shall be eligible to return to the position previously held.
D. A registrar who has no chief deputy or other permanent employee shall file an affidavit with the
parish governing authority and the secretary of state designating a person as chief deputy who would operate
House of Representatives Database
Louisiana Election Code – 15
R.S. 18:52
the registrar's office in the event the registrar becomes unable to name a chief deputy and perform his duties
due to illness, injury, or disability.