§1362. Method of procuring voting systems or system components; parts and supplies; contracting for the maintenance of voting machines

            A.(1) All voting systems or system components used in this state shall be procured by the secretary of state, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Voting System Commission as provided in R.S. 18:1362.1, out of state funds appropriated for that purpose, on the basis of competitive sealed proposals or the invitation to negotiate in accordance with the provisions of the Louisiana Procurement Code. Required specifications shall include tests and examinations of the operation of the voting systems or system components, and the secretary of state, for that purpose, shall employ experts to conduct these examinations in accordance with R.S. 18:1361 and report the results thereof to the Voting System Commission. The expenses of the services of these experts shall be paid by the vendor that seeks to have its system certified for consideration. In every respect, the procurement of voting systems or system components shall be in accordance with the Louisiana Procurement Code.

            (2) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, particularly the provisions of Chapter 17 of Title 39 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, the secretary of state is authorized to contract with the manufacturer through the Department of State for the maintenance of the voting systems or system components.

            B. Title to all voting machines purchased by the secretary of state shall vest in the state.

            Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1981, No. 77, §1, eff. June 26, 1981; Acts 1985, No. 754, §1; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 2001, No. 451, §6, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2014, No. 60, §1, eff. May 16, 2014; Acts 2019, No. 374, §1, eff. June 19 2019; Acts 2021, No. 480, §1, eff. July 1, 2021; Acts 2025, No. 208, §1, eff. June 8, 2025.