§ La. R.S. 18:501(untitled)

Procedure for withdrawal
A.(1)(a) A candidate in a primary election may withdraw from the election by filing notice of his
withdrawal with the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the seventh day after the close of the qualifying
period.
(b) A candidate in a first party primary election may withdraw from the election by filing notice of
his withdrawal with the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the seventh day after the close of the
qualifying period.
(c) The notice of withdrawal shall be signed by the candidate and duly acknowledged by him before
an officer authorized to administer oaths.
(2)(a) The secretary of state shall not accept a notice of withdrawal that does not satisfy the
requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The secretary of state shall endorse the date and time of
receipt of such a notice of withdrawal and return the notice forthwith, either personally or by registered or
certified mail, to the candidate. The provisions of this Subparagraph shall not apply to a notice of withdrawal
filed pursuant to a court order as provided in R.S. 18:494(B).
(b) The secretary of state shall forward a copy of a notice of withdrawal that satisfies the
requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection or was filed pursuant to a court order as provided in R.S.
18:494(B) and that was filed by a local or municipal candidate to the president of the board of election
supervisors and the clerk of court of the parish in which the candidate has qualified.
B.(1)(a) A candidate in a general election may withdraw from the election by filing notice of his
withdrawal with the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the ninth day after the date of the primary
election.
(b) A candidate in a general election for a party primary office may withdraw from the election by
filing notice of his withdrawal with the secretary of state prior to 4:30 p.m. on the ninth day after the second
party primary election date, regardless of whether a second party primary election is held.
(c) The notice of withdrawal shall be signed by the candidate and duly acknowledged by him before
an officer authorized to administer oaths.
(2)(a) The secretary of state shall not accept a notice of withdrawal that does not satisfy the
requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection. The secretary of state shall endorse the date and time of
receipt of such a notice of withdrawal and return the notice forthwith, either personally or by registered or
certified mail, to the candidate.
(b) The secretary of state shall forward a copy of a notice of withdrawal that satisfies the
requirements of Paragraph (1) of this Subsection and that was filed by a local or municipal candidate to the
president of the board of election supervisors and the clerk of court of the parish in which the candidate has
qualified.
C. Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsections A and B of this Section, if the number of
candidates remaining in a primary election, second party primary election, or general election for a public
office is one more than the number of persons to be elected to the office, the secretary of state shall accept
a notice of withdrawal that is filed prior to 4:30 p.m. on the second day prior to the first day of early voting.
The candidate or candidates remaining after the withdrawal shall be declared elected by the people.