§44. Contesting election; referral for prosecution

NOTE: Subsection A eff. until June 12, 2025, for certain purposes, and eff. until Jan. 1, 2026, for all other purposes. See Acts 2024, No. 640 and Acts 2025, No. 386.

            A. Whenever the board determines as a result of an investigation that violations of law, irregularities, error, or fraud have occurred in the conduct of an election which in the judgment of the board has resulted in the apparent qualification for the general election or the apparent election of a candidate not entitled to be so qualified or elected, the board, upon the favorable vote of three members, may institute suit to contest the election in order to protect the interest and rights of the state in fair and honest elections. In addition, for the same cause and upon the same vote, the board may intervene in any suit instituted by any other party to contest an election.

NOTE: Subsection A eff. June 12, 2025, for certain purposes, and eff. Jan. 1, 2026, for all other purposes. See Acts 2024, No. 640 and Acts 2025, No. 386.

            A. Whenever the board determines as a result of an investigation that violations of law, irregularities, error, or fraud have occurred in the conduct of an election which, in the judgment of the board, has resulted in the apparent qualification for the second party primary or the general election or the apparent election of a candidate not entitled to be so qualified or elected, the board, upon the favorable vote of three members, may institute suit to contest the election in order to protect the interest and rights of the state in fair and honest elections. In addition, for the same cause and upon the same vote, the board may intervene in any suit instituted by any other party to contest an election.

            B. In any suit instituted by the board to contest an election, the provisions of Chapter 9 of this Title shall apply, except that:

            (1) An action instituted by the board to contest an election shall be brought in the district court for the parish where the state capitol is situated.

            (2) In any such suit, each candidate for said office and the secretary of state shall be impleaded and shall be a party to the suit. The board shall be a party to the suit, and the board may implead as parties other persons whose interest in the subject matter, by reason of their ministerial duties or otherwise, would be directly or indirectly affected to the extent that their joinder would be necessary for a complete adjudication of the controversy.

            (3) In any such suit, the petition shall be styled:

            "In re the Election for (office)"

            (4) The petition shall cite:

            (a) Each candidate for said office; and

            (b) The secretary of state in his official capacity as the chief election officer of the state.

            (5) The petition shall contain, but shall not be limited to, the following:

            (a) The grounds on which the election is contested;

NOTE: Subparagraph (B)(5)(b) eff. until June 12, 2025, for certain purposes, and eff. until Jan. 1, 2026, for all other purposes. See Acts 2024, No. 640 and Acts 2025, No. 386.

            (b) The allegation that except for substantial irregularities or error, fraud, or other unlawful activities in the conduct of the election, a different candidate would have qualified for a general election or would have been elected.

NOTE: Subparagraph (B)(5)(b) eff. June 12, 2025, for certain purposes, and eff. Jan. 1, 2026, for all other purposes. See Acts 2024, No. 640 and Acts 2025, No. 386.

            (b) The allegation that except for substantial irregularities or error, fraud, or other unlawful activities in the conduct of the election, a different candidate would have qualified for the second party primary or a general election or would have been elected.

            (6) The petition shall comply with Article 891 of the Louisiana Code of Civil Procedure, except to the extent that the provisions of that Article or the Articles cited therein conflict with the provisions of this Section.

            (7) Service of process shall be on the secretary of state, or the commissioner of elections as provided herein, and shall otherwise comply substantially with the provisions of R.S. 18:1408. By filing notice of candidacy a state candidate appoints the secretary of state, or the commissioner of elections as provided herein, as his agent for service of process in any action instituted by the board under provisions of this Section. If the secretary of state is a named candidate in the petition, then the commissioner of elections shall be the agent for service of process for all candidates, and in such case, additionally, a copy of the citation and petition shall be served on the secretary of state in his official capacity as chief election officer of the state.

            (8) There shall be no named party defendant; provided however, that for purposes of the provisions of Chapter 9 of Title 18 which are applicable to suits instituted under this Section, the word "party" in this Section shall mean "defendant" in the provisions of said Chapter 9.

            (9) Each party in a suit instituted under this Section is considered as being both a plaintiff and a defendant with respect to all other parties. A party is not required to answer the petition, but if he answers, he shall do so prior to trial. No exceptions or responsive pleadings may be filed to the answer of a party, and every fact alleged therein is considered as denied or avoided by effect of law as to all other parties. If a party does not appear on the date set for the trial, either in person or through counsel, such failure to appear precludes him from thereafter filing an answer, and from asserting his claims or defenses in the suit and the court shall not appoint an attorney to represent him pursuant to R.S. 18:1409(A).

            (10) Each party may appear and assert his claim or defense as he sees fit.

            (11) The court may grant the board injunctive relief prohibiting the parties from instituting or prosecuting in any court of this state or of the United States any other action or proceeding on the matters involved in the suit.

            (12) The court may render judgment for costs, or any part thereof, against any party, as it may consider equitable.

            C. Whenever the board determines as a result of an investigation or otherwise that a violation of the Election Code has occurred which is subject to criminal penalties, the board shall present all information concerning such alleged violation to the district attorney for the judicial district in which the alleged violation occurred. The district attorney may immediately proceed with such criminal actions or investigations as are justified by the facts presented or available to him. The information presented by the board to the district attorney shall be presented to the attorney general and the governor who shall keep such information strictly confidential, except that the attorney general may proceed with any action permissible within the provisions of Article IV, Section 8 of the Louisiana Constitution of 1974.

            Acts 1989, No. 45, §1; Acts 2001, No. 451, §1, eff. Jan. 12, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2024, No. 640, §1; eff. See Act; Acts 2025, No. 386, §4, eff. June 20, 2025.