Labor & Employment (Elections)

This bill amends existing voter time-off laws to include early voting as a protected reason for requesting leave from work or school. It directly affects employees and students who need to vote during early voting periods, expanding their eligibility beyond those who vote by absentee ballot. The key change removes the specific reference to absentee ballots and replaces it with early voting to ensure broader coverage for different voting methods. This adjustment allows individuals to request time off without having to choose between their civic duty and their daily responsibilities.

SB 202 increases compensation for Louisiana parish election board members during presidential and congressional elections. It raises the maximum number of compensated days from six to eight for these elections, while adding $50 per day for non-public official members who testify in court as subpoenaed witnesses related to election duties. The bill affects all parish election boards in Louisiana overseeing presidential or congressional elections, without limiting the change to specific parishes. This amendment updates existing compensation rules to provide greater financial support for board members during high-stakes election cycles.