A new bill that would require Louisiana voters to present photo identification at polling places is headed to Governor Jeff Landry's desk.
The House approved Senate Bill 319 without amendments on Tuesday. On Wednesday, Senate President Cameron Henry (R-Metairie) signed the bill, forwarding it to the governor for his signature.
Under current Louisiana law, voters who do not have valid identification may sign an affidavit at their polling place confirming their identity. The current law also allows voters to present any "generally recognized picture identification card that contains (their) name and signature" to cast a ballot.
Under SB 319, authored by Sen. Thomas Pressley (R-Shreveport), voters now must present a United States passport, citizenship certificate, or naturalization certificate; a valid Louisiana driver's license or special identification card; a military identification card; or a tribal identification card to be able to vote. Any voter who does not have one of these means of identification must present a "primary document," such as a birth certificate or Social Security card, and a "secondary document," such as a voter registration notice or utility bill, to verify his/her address.
If a voter cannot provide those documents, he/she must report to the local registrar of voters office to cast a conditional paper ballot. In order for that ballot to be counted, the voter must return to the registrar's office within two days to present his/her identification.
If Landry signs the bill, it will become law on July 1, 2027.
