§ La. R.S. 18:1402(untitled)

Proper parties
A. The following persons are the proper parties against whom actions objecting to candidacy shall
be instituted:
(1) The person whose candidacy is objected to.
(2) The clerk of court, in his official capacity, if the candidate qualified with the clerk of court.
(3) The secretary of state, in his official capacity, if the candidate qualified with the secretary of
state.
B.(1) The following persons are the proper parties against whom election contests shall be instituted:
(a) The secretary of state, in his official capacity, when contesting an election on any proposed
amendment to the constitution.
(b) The governing authority which called the election, when contesting an election on a proposition.
(c) The person or persons whose eligibility to be a candidate in a general election or whose election
to office is contested.
(2) Any candidate in an election which is contested shall be a proper party to and shall have standing
to intervene in the action contesting the election.
House of Representatives Database
Louisiana Election Code – 285
R.S. 18:1404
C. The secretary of state, in his official capacity, shall be made a party defendant to any action
contesting an election for public office, an election submitting a proposition to the voters, or an election for
the recall of a public officer. The secretary of state, in his official capacity, shall be made defendant to any
action objecting to the calling of a special election. The secretary of state, in his official capacity, shall be
made a party defendant to any action contesting the certification of a recall petition. The secretary of state
shall have standing to intervene in an action objecting to candidacy in which the secretary of state was not
the qualifying official.
D. Costs of court shall not be assessed against the secretary of state when named as a defendant in
any action contesting an election, objecting to candidacy, objecting to the calling of a special election, or
contesting the certification of a recall petition.