Criminal Justice (Elections)

HB 270 allows qualified incarcerated individuals in Louisiana to vote by mail absentee ballot. It amends voting law to specifically permit people held in any Louisiana correctional facility (or outside their parish) to request mail-in ballots after registering, removing a prior barrier. This directly affects incarcerated voters who meet eligibility requirements (like not being convicted of a felony disenfranchisement offense) but were previously unable to vote by mail under existing rules. The key provision adds an exception to registration rules, enabling them to formally request absentee ballots via mail under new Section R.S. 18:115(F)(2)(f). The bill does not change voting eligibility but provides a voting method for those already qualified.