PART V. DIVISION OF ELECTION INTEGRITY

§49.1. Division of election integrity; powers and duties

            A. The division of election integrity is created in the Department of State. The purposes of the division 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 division 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, an employee of the division, 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 this Code.

            D. If, during the course of investigation, the division determines that there may be a violation of any criminal law or provision of this 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; Acts 2024, No. 264, §1.