Panel looks at rescheduling election [Louisiana]

[Anita Garcia]

Panel looks at rescheduling election
April 29 vote may move to September
BATON ROUGE -- A legislative committee Tuesday took the first steps toward shifting a statewide election on two constitutional amendments from April 29 to Sept. 30, when two statewide offices are up for grabs.

The House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs gave unanimous support to a package of bills by Reps. Charles Lancaster, R-Metairie, and Bryant Hammett, D-Ferriday. The bills cancel the April 29 election, which was set during the last special session in November, and shift it to Sept. 30, when vacancies in the office of insurance commissioner and secretary of state will be decided.

The four-bill package now heads to the House floor for debate.

Lancaster's House Bill 28 cancels the April 29 election. His House Bill 27 started out setting the new election date for the two constitutional amendments on Nov. 7 when congressional elections are scheduled, but the panel amended the bill to set the constitutional amendment vote for Sept. 30.

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