§152. Required records

A.(1) Each registrar shall retain the following records in accordance with an approved retention schedule as required by R.S. 44:411:

(a) All original applications for registration, if available in hard copy, filed alphabetically for the entire parish or for each ward and precinct or for each precinct of the parish, or microfilm, microfiche, or scanned or electronically captured computerized images of such documents.

(b) The originals of all affidavits made pursuant to this Chapter or microfilm, microfiche, or scanned or electronically captured computerized images of such documents.

(c) The original of each report made by any person required by this Chapter to make a report to the registrar.

(d) Repealed by Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §2, eff. Jan. 1, 1995.

(2) Repealed by Acts 2009, No. 186, §3, effective June 29, 2009.

B. Each registrar shall keep a master file consisting of all original applications for registration made by persons who are currently registered, if available in hard copy, arranged alphabetically for the parish or for each ward and precinct or for each precinct of the parish, or any microfilm, microfiche, or scanned or electronically captured computerized images of such documents. The parish governing authority shall provide the registrar with safe, secure, and fireproof storage space for use as a depository for the master file.

C.(1) The Department of State shall provide each registrar with an updated registration list upon request by the registrar for office use.

(2)(a) Prior to each election, the registrar shall obtain one current precinct register for each precinct in the parish where an election is to be held. The Department of State shall provide the registrar with one duplicate precinct register in electronic form. Such registers shall contain both the official list of voters and the inactive list of voters. Each precinct register shall contain information for identification of the voter at the polls, a space which the voter shall sign at the time he votes, a space for the initials of the commissioner at the polls, a space for the date of the election, and space for such other information as is deemed necessary.

(b) Prior to delivery of the precinct register to the contractor authorized by the secretary of state to deliver voting machines pursuant to R.S. 18:1371, the registrar shall add the names and collateral information on those mail registrants and registrants who submitted an electronic application pursuant to R.S. 18:115.1 who were verified after the printing of the precinct register. Such listing of registrants shall be considered to be a supplement to the official list of voters and a part of the precinct register. Subsequent to the delivery of the precinct register, the registrar shall add the names and collateral information on those mail registrants and registrants who submitted an electronic application pursuant to R.S. 18:115.1 who were verified after the delivery of the precinct register. Such listing of registrants shall be considered another supplement to the official list of voters and a part of the precinct register. Any supplemental list so produced shall be delivered to the precinct in the same manner as a list of absentee voters who voted absentee by mail and whose ballots were received after the precinct register was sealed.

(3) The precinct register shall be used at the polls for identification and the voting record. The duplicate precinct register is the duplicate for reference or temporary use in case of loss, mutilation, or destruction of the precinct register. The voting record of each registrant shall be entered on the computer system as soon as feasible following an election.

(4) The registration records to be used at the polls for voter identification shall contain information, if applicable, showing that the registrant has a physical disability or is unable to read. If the registrant is unable to read or write English, the records shall show in which language he is entitled to printed materials, ballots, and assistance if he is a member of a language minority group under a determination made under the federal Voting Rights Act. A voter entitled to assistance whose record so indicates may be given such assistance at the polls at the voter's request.

D. The registrar in each parish shall keep a cancellation file in which he shall place the original application for registration of each person whose registration is canceled, if the original application is available in hard copy in the registrar's office.

E. The secretary of state shall prescribe uniform forms, as provided by R.S. 18:18, for the making of records pertaining to all aspects of the registration of voters, which shall be the only forms which may be used by the registrar in each parish.

F. The secretary of state shall adopt regulations, as provided by R.S. 18:18, governing the manner of registering persons to vote and the making and keeping of registration records.

Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 544, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1988, No. 909, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1989; Acts 1993, No. 418, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1994; Acts 1994, 3rd Ex. Sess., No. 10, §§1, 2, eff. Jan. 1, 1995; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2001, No. 1181, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2002; Acts 2009, No. 186, §§2, 3, eff. June 29, 2009; Acts 2009, No. 369, §1; Acts 2009, No. 436, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2010; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2016, No. 183, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 2017.