Registrar of Voters Bryan Kelley gave an interesting program to Kiwanis, Tuesday, April 23, beginning with a voting quiz which members all failed because they did not read and follow the instructions.

The instructions were written in smaller grayscale print at the top of the page and no one read it. This was an example of what happens sometimes with mail-in ballots, he explained. If persons don’t read or understand the instructions, their ballot could be disqualified. The parish election supervisors consist of the Registrar of Voters, Clerk of Court, a Governor appointee, and a member each from the Republican and Democratic Committee. They can qualify or disqualify the ballot. 

But it can go before a judge and he can disqualify. The legislature is trying to make it where any discrepancy disqualifies. During Kelley’s talk, he was also answering questions. In Louisiana every parish is linked so if a person cannot be registered in more than one parish. When he or she registers in a different parish, their previous parish is notified and removes them from their roll. However, states do not have that capability so you could be registered in more than one state. 

Dead people can possibly vote. If a person mails in a ballot and then dies, that ballot is still good. If a person early votes or even votes during the election and then dies, their vote is still good. 

Some bills that are being considered in the Legislature have to do with tightened security-supplemental canvas, deep fake videos, delivery of absentee ballots, voter registration by 3rd party vendors, and witness addresses. Supplemental canvas has to do with removing people from the rolls who have not voted in 10 years and have not updated their registration or address. 

The problem with some of this legislation is security versus access. Security of the voting system is important but so is a person’ access to voting. The most secure voting would be if you could only vote in person on Election Day but that restricts access for many people who are homebound, disabled, working away, and more. Another thing that is being considered is renewing their mail (absentee) ballot every year. At the present time once you request an absentee mail ballot you don’t have to renew. 

Can felons vote? The answer is no. Even if they are not incarcerated but under an order, they cannot vote. Their voter registration is suspended, not cancelled. When they are no longer in prison their voting privileges can be reinstated. 

Another change could be making the terms of all state offices match so the elections would all be at the same time. Louisiana has one of the best and securest voting systems in the U. S. because it is under the Secretary of State’s office.