Louisiana Recount Laws

Contested election Specific ballot category (absentee ballots) Candidates may file a written request for a recount of absentee by mail and early voting ballots if the number of absentee by mail and early voting ballots cast for all candidates for an office could make a difference in the outcome of the election. See Section 1313. Candidates may also petition for a recount if they are already part of an election contest in the courts. Again, this is only for a recount of absentee and early voting ballots. See Section 1451, “Recount of absentee by mail and early voting ballots”: http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=81426. No restrictions are listed regarding the type of election that may be contested, or limiting the eligibility of certain offices for a contest or recount. For other rules regarding who may bring an election contest, see Section 44, “Contesting election; referral for prosecution”: http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=81574, as well as Section 1401, “Objections to candidacy and contests of elections”: http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=81406. Timing: Requests for a recount must be in writing and filed with the clerk of court on the last working day prior to the date of the recount or ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction. See Section 1313. For recounts during an election contest, the recount request must take place as an ex parte motion before the trial begins in an election contest. The trial judge has full authority in deciding the time the recount is to take place. No statutory guidance is otherwise provided regarding the length or timing of the recount. See Section 1453, “Recount procedure”: http://www.legis.state.la.us/lss/lss.asp?doc=81428.