Directs the legislative auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Department of State regarding policies, procedures, and practices related to the integrity of elections.
Summary
SCR 35 is a concurrent resolution that urges and requests the Louisiana legislative auditor to conduct a performance audit of the Department of State’s policies, procedures, and practices related to election integrity. The audit is intended to examine not only the Department of State, but also the practices of election officials across Louisiana, including the secretary of state, clerks of court, registrars of voters, and other local election officials. The resolution also calls for the audit to compare Louisiana’s election administration practices with those used in other states and to consider recognized post-election audit models such as traditional audits, risk-limiting audits, and procedural audits.
The resolution further states that if the legislative auditor requests sensitive data elements under existing election law, the Department of State must protect that data using cryptography. It directs that the audit be conducted every four years, beginning after the 2028 presidential election, and requires that copies of the resolution be sent to the legislative auditor and the secretary of state. Because it is a concurrent resolution, SCR 35 does not itself change substantive election statutes, but it does formally request oversight activity and frames expectations for future audit cycles.
Impact
SCR 35 does not amend the Louisiana Revised Statutes or create new election regulations; instead, it directs legislative oversight by requesting a recurring performance audit of election administration. Its practical effect is to place the Department of State and local election officials under periodic review of their election-integrity policies, procedures, and practices, with an emphasis on comparing Louisiana’s systems to other states and on safeguarding sensitive data through cryptography when requested by the auditor. The resolution may influence future administrative practices and audit standards, but it is not itself a statutory change.
Sentiment
The overall sentiment reflected in the bill’s passage is strongly supportive. The Senate adopted the resolution unanimously, 37-0, and the House gave it substantial support on final consideration, 87-6. The language of the resolution emphasizes public confidence, security, and assurance in the election process, suggesting broad legislative interest in oversight of election administration and integrity measures.
Contention
The main point of contention is the broader issue of election oversight and the extent to which state election systems should be subjected to recurring performance audits. Supporters frame the measure as a reasonable step to reassure citizens and compare Louisiana’s practices with best practices from other states, while any opposition likely centers on concerns about administrative burden, costs, or the political implications of auditing election procedures. The resolution also references sensitive data protection, which could raise operational concerns for the Department of State if audit requests involve confidential election-related information.