Louisiana § RS 18:102 - Ineligible persons

Full text of Louisiana Louisiana Civil Code § RS 18:102 — Ineligible persons, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.

§ RS 18:102. Ineligible persons

            A. No person shall be permitted to register or vote who is:

            (1)(a) Under an order of imprisonment, as defined in R.S. 18:2, for conviction of a felony, except as provided in Subparagraph (b) of this Paragraph.

            (b) Except as provided in Subparagraph (c) of this Paragraph, a person who is under an order of imprisonment for conviction of a felony and who has not been incarcerated pursuant to the order within the last five years shall not be ineligible to register or vote based on the order.

            (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be permitted to register or vote pursuant to this Section if he is convicted of a felony offense of election fraud or any other election offense pursuant to R.S. 18:1461.2 and he is under an order of imprisonment.

            (2) Interdicted after being judicially declared to be mentally incompetent as a result of a full interdiction proceeding pursuant to Civil Code Article 389. A person subject to a limited interdiction pursuant to Civil Code Article 390 shall be permitted to register and vote unless the court in that proceeding specifically suspends the interdicted person's right to vote in the judgment of interdiction. If a person was previously subject to full interdiction, which has been changed to a limited interdiction, that person shall be eligible to register and vote unless the judgment of limited interdiction specifically suspends that right.

            (3) Not a citizen of the United States of America.

            B. Notwithstanding the provisions of Paragraph (A)(1) of this Section or any other provision of law to the contrary, a person who was convicted of a felony prior to the effective date of the 1974 Constitution of Louisiana who has fully satisfied and completed his sentence shall not be ineligible to register to vote, nor shall he be prohibited from voting, based upon that conviction.

            C. For purposes of this Chapter, "incarcerated pursuant to the order" means actual confinement in a correctional facility pursuant to the order of imprisonment, including confinement after conviction but prior to sentencing for which the person is given credit in the order and confinement following revocation of probation or parole. "Incarcerated pursuant to the order" does not include confinement pursuant to a violation of a condition of probation or parole that does not result in revocation.

            Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1979, No. 229, §1, eff. July 13, 1979; Acts 2003, No. 856, §1, eff. July 1, 2003; Acts 2004, No. 575, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005; Acts 2018, No. 636, §1, eff. March 1, 2019; Acts 2021, No. 127, §1, eff. Feb. 1, 2022; Acts 2024, No. 500, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions About Louisiana § RS 18:102

What does Louisiana Civil Code § RS 18:102 cover?

Section RS 18:102 ("Ineligible persons") is part of the Louisiana Civil Code, the codified statutory law of Louisiana. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.

How do I cite Louisiana § RS 18:102?

A common citation format is "Louisiana Civil Code § RS 18:102" (Louisiana). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.

Is this the official text of Louisiana law?

No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Louisiana official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Louisiana attorney.

How does Louisiana § RS 18:102 apply to my situation?

Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Louisiana can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.

Sources & Verification

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Louisiana.