§ La. R.S. 18:1462(untitled)

Acts prohibited during early voting or on election day; electioneering; intimidation;
exceptions; enforcement; penalties
A. The Legislature of Louisiana recognizes that the right to vote is a right that is essential to the
effective operation of a democratic government. In order to preserve the integrity of its election process, and
to protect the right of citizens to vote freely for the candidates of their choice, the state has a compelling
interest in establishing a zone securing polling locations against certain conduct and activities, including
voter intimidation, election fraud, confusion, and general disorder, that would interfere with the exercise of
the right to vote. The legislature, therefore, enacts this Subsection to provide for a six hundred foot
campaign-free zone around polling places to provide to each voter such an environment in which to exercise
his right to vote. Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, it shall be unlawful for any person,
between the hours of 6:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m., to perform or cause to be performed any of the following acts
within any polling place being used in an election on election day or during early voting, or within a radius
of six hundred feet of the entrance to any polling place being used in an election on election day or during
early voting:
(1) To solicit in any manner or by any means whatsoever any other person to vote for or against any
candidate or proposition being voted on in such election.
(2) To remain within any such polling place or within a radius of six hundred feet of the entrance
of any such polling place, except when exercising the right to vote, after having been directed by an election
commissioner, law enforcement officer, registrar, or deputy registrar to leave the premises or area of a
polling place.
(3) To hand out, place, or display campaign cards, pictures, or other campaign literature of any kind
or description whatsoever which advocate for or against any candidate, proposition, or political party
appearing on the ballot in the election.
(4) To place, wear, or display political signs, campaign apparel, pictures, or other forms of political
advertising which advocate for or against any candidate, proposition, or political party appearing on the
ballot in the election.
(5) To circulate a petition or seek handwritten signatures to a petition.
B. The provisions hereof shall not apply to the placing and displaying, either by the owner, lessee,
or lawful occupant thereof, or with the consent of such owner, lessee or occupant, of political signs or
pictures on private property which is not being used as a polling place.
C. The provisions of this Section shall not be construed as prohibiting any appointed election
commissioner or any official watcher from remaining in and about the polling place in which he was selected
to serve.
House of Representatives Database
Louisiana Election Code – 301
R.S. 18:1463
D. No election official shall wear any badge, button, pin, or other insignia identifying him with any
political candidate or faction.
E. No election official shall in any manner attempt to influence any voter to vote for or against any
candidate or proposition being voted on in the election being held in that polling place.
F. The duly constituted law enforcement officers of the political subdivision in which any such
election is being held shall enforce the provisions of this Section when requested to do so by a clerk of court,
registrar, deputy registrar, commissioner-in-charge, or commissioner. The clerk of court, registrar, deputy
registrars, commissioners-in-charge, and commissioners likewise shall enforce the provisions of this Section
at the polling places. The law enforcement officers, clerk of court, commissioners-in-charge, commissioners,
deputy registrars, and registrar are authorized to seize, remove, and destroy any political cards, signs,
pictures, or literature being used or displayed in violation of any of the provisions of this Section.
G. Whoever violates any provision of this Section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars
or be imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. On a second offense or any succeeding offense, the
penalty shall be a fine of not more than one thousand dollars or imprisonment for not more than one year,
or both.