§ La. R.S. 18:1309.3(untitled)

Assistance in voting during early voting
A. Voters entitled to assistance during early voting. A voter shall not receive assistance in voting
unless he is unable to read or is unable to vote without assistance because of a physical disability, including
visual impairment. If a voter who is entitled to receive assistance in voting chooses to vote using the audio
ballot instead of receiving assistance and the audio ballot equipment fails, the voter shall be entitled to
assistance in voting as provided in this Section.
B. Persons prohibited from assisting voters during early voting. (1) No candidate in any election
may assist any voter in casting his ballot in that election.
(2) No employer or employer's agent may assist an employee in voting.
(3) No union agent may assist a union member in voting.
(4)(a) Except as provided in Paragraphs (1) through (3) of this Subsection, a voter entitled to
assistance in voting may receive the assistance of any person of his choice, including a registrar or deputy
registrar.
(b) The voter, along with the person assisting the voter, shall complete a voter assistance form and
provide the name of the person assisting the voter and attest whether the person, other than a commissioner,
providing assistance was paid to assist the voter. If the voter is not marked for assistance in voting in the
statewide voter registration database, the voter shall attest on the voter assistance form that the voter has a
physical disability or is unable to read and requires assistance in voting.
C. Procedure when voter receives assistance during early voting. The person assisting the voter shall
enter the voting machine with the voter and assist him in voting. No other person shall enter the voting
machine or assist the voter in voting. No person assisting the voter shall reveal the name of any person for
whom the voter has voted, how he voted on any proposition upon which he voted, or anything that took place
while the voter was being assisted. When an early voting location is equipped with a voting machine which
provides an audio ballot, the registrar or deputy registrar shall offer the option of voting using the audio
ballot to a visually impaired voter or a voter who is unable to read. If the voter elects to vote using the audio
ballot, the registrar or deputy registrar shall assist the voter with the headset and instruct the voter or the
person selected to assist the voter concerning the use of the audio ballot.
234 – House of Representatives Database
R.S. 18:1310
D.(1)(a) Prior to receiving assistance pursuant to this Section because of a disability, including
visual impairment, the voter shall file with the registrar in person or by mail a statement setting forth the
necessity and reasons for this assistance and shall furnish the registrar one of the following:
(i) A certificate of a medical doctor, optometrist, physician assistant as defined in R.S. 37:1360.22,
or nurse practitioner as defined in R.S. 37:913 certifying to the irremediable nature of the physical disability
as proof of disability.
(ii) A copy of a current mobility impairment identification card bearing a photograph of the voter
and the international symbol of accessibility issued by the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and
Corrections as authorized by the provisions of R.S. 47:463.4.
(iii) A copy of current documentation showing eligibility for social security disability benefits,
veteran's disability benefits, paratransit services, benefits from the office for citizens with developmental
disabilities, or benefits from Louisiana Rehabilitation Services.
(iv) A completed and signed voter registration application attesting that the voter has a physical
disability and requires assistance in voting.
(v) A completed and signed voter assistance form provided by the secretary of state wherein the
voter attests that he has a physical disability and requires assistance in voting.
(b) If the voter is submitting the information required by this Paragraph by mail, the voter shall
include a copy of his Louisiana driver's license, his Louisiana special identification card issued pursuant to
R.S. 40:1321, or other generally recognized picture identification card that contains the name and signature
of the voter.
(2) If such statement with such documentation, if applicable, is filed with the registrar as provided
in this Subsection or presented to the registrar or deputy registrar during early voting, the registrar shall
document those facts in the voter's information on the statewide voter registration system and, as appropriate,
on the voter's original application for registration and on any other official registration records. The registrar
shall retain the statement and documentation, if applicable. Thereafter, the voter shall not be required to
present evidence of any kind during early voting or at the polls.
E. A voter who has a visible physical disability or who presents a current mobility impairment
identification card bearing a photograph of the voter and the international symbol of accessibility issued by
the secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections as authorized by the provisions of R.S.
47:463.4, and the person who will be assisting him in voting, shall be allowed to go to the front of the line
to cast a ballot when early voting.