PART V. ELECTIONS COMPLIANCE UNIT

§49.1. Elections compliance unit; powers and duties

A. An elections compliance unit is created in the Department of State. The purposes of the unit shall be to:

(1) Initiate independent inquiries and conduct independent investigations into allegations of election irregularities in any municipality or parish of the state.

(2) Respond to notifications or complaints alleging election irregularities generated by election officials or any other person.

(3) Review notices and reports of election irregularities and conduct investigations of any incidents that it determines require further investigation.

B. For purposes of investigation, the elections compliance unit shall have the authority to:

(1) Issue subpoenas to compel the production of records and other documents from any registrar of voters.

(2) Receive sworn statements.

C. Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, a member of the Elections Compliance Unit, upon the receipt of a complaint of any election irregularity, may enter a polling place during early voting or on election day for the purposes of checking the overall operations of the polling place or investigating any potential violation of the Louisiana Election Code.

D. If during the course of investigation, the elections compliance unit determines that there may be a violation of any criminal law or provision of the Louisiana Election Code, the findings of the investigation shall be turned over to the appropriate prosecutorial agency for further investigation or prosecution.

Acts 2004, No. 517, §2, eff. June 25, 2004; Acts 2010, No. 797, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011.