Louisiana Law Violates National Voter Registration Act, Imposes Unnecessary Burdens on Eligible Voters

Today, Campaign Legal Center (CLC), Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law (Lawyers' Committee), the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), and Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) notified the Louisiana secretary of state on behalf of Voice of the Experienced (VOTE), the NAACP Louisiana State Conference, the League of Women Voters of Louisiana (LWVLA), Power Coalition for Equity and Justice (PCEJ), and the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI), that Senate Bill 436 (SB 436), a new state law requiring documentary proof of citizenship to register to vote beyond the voters' own verification of citizenship that is already required, violates the National Voter Registration Act (NVRA).

This blatant violation of Louisianians' freedom to vote must be corrected within 90 days, otherwise, the above coalition intends to file a lawsuit to make sure all eligible voters are able to make their voices heard.

"Federal law prohibits states from creating unnecessary barriers that restrict eligible voters' freedom to vote," said Valencia Richardson, Legal Counsel for Voting Rights at Campaign Legal Center. "We should be working to make our democracy more inclusive and accessible, but SB 436 poses a threat to our democracy and silences eligible voters. CLC intends to fight alongside Louisianians who will be unfairly targeted by this law and will work to ensure that every eligible voter can make their voice heard."

"The freedom to vote is on the line for the people of Louisiana and enforcing Senate Bill 436 violates federal law under the National Voter Registration Act," said Ahmed Soussi, Senior Staff Attorney at Southern Poverty Law Center. "The law threatens to stop voters before they get to the voting booth by requiring extra documentary proof of citizenship, in addition to a verification of citizenship that is already in place. We will not allow the state to disregard Louisianans' voting rights."

"Once again, Louisiana is enacting unnecessary and discriminatory barriers on the right to vote that appear targeted to deny Black voters and other voters of color an equal voice in the political process," said Sara Rohani, Assistant Counsel at the Legal Defense Fund. "LDF stands ready to combat any unconstitutional attempts to limit Louisianians' right to exercise the fundamental franchise."

"Louisiana's voter registration process is already secure," said Javon Davis, Associate Counsel for the Voting Rights Project at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law. "When a person registers to vote in Louisiana, they are required to demonstrate their eligibility. This bill places unnecessary obstacles in the way of eligible voters by complicating the voter registration process. Every citizen deserves access to the ballot box without being forced to complete repetitive citizenship verification processes. We must protect and strengthen democracy, not create hurdles that threaten the right to vote."

"I see firsthand the challenges our communities face in navigating systems that should empower, not exclude," said Dauda Sesay, Executive Director of the Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants (LORI). "Senate Bill 436 is more than an unnecessary hurdle-it's a direct threat to the fundamental right to vote for immigrants, refugees, and marginalized groups across Louisiana. Our democracy is strongest when everyone's voice is heard, and this law undermines that principle by imposing burdens that silence eligible voters. I urge Louisiana's leaders to uphold the National Voter Registration Act, remove these harmful barriers, and stand with us in protecting the freedom to vote for all."

"In addition to targeting and discriminating against specific groups, these requirements have a chilling effect on voting more broadly across our Louisiana electorate," said M. Christian Green, President of the League of Women Voters of Louisiana. "For decades, the League of Women Voters of Louisiana has opposed harsh and unnecessary photo ID and documentary proof of citizenship requirements because Louisiana does not have a non-citizen voting problem. The League is proud to stand up to protect voters from discrimination and harassment."

"This is yet another attempt to stoke fear and suppress participation under the guise of election security," said Bruce Reilly, Deputy Director of Voice of the Experienced. "Louisiana doesn't have a problem with non-citizens voting; it has a problem with leadership trying to "solve" imaginary issues while ignoring our dismal voter turnout."

"We are deeply concerned about SB 436 and the impact it will have on our members, and all Louisianans, when registering to vote," said Dr. Michael McClanahan, President of the Louisiana NAACP State Conference. "By making voter registration harder, it deliberately undermines the right to vote for countless individuals in our community. The Louisiana State Conference of the NAACP stands against any attempt to disenfranchise voters and stands committed to ensuring that every eligible voter has the opportunity to participate in our democracy."

"Black voters in Louisiana already face near-insurmountable barriers to voter registration, and Power Coalition is deeply concerned about the impact of SB 436 in further suppressing the ability of eligible Louisianans to register to vote," said Ashley Shelton, Executive Director of Power Coalition for Equity and Justice. "Power Coalition stands ready to defend against attempts to violate federal law and make voter registration more difficult."

In June 2024, Louisiana passed a state law that would require citizens to provide documentary proof of citizenship in order to register to vote. The law, which went into effect on January 1, 2025, was passed in the name of securing elections, but the NVRA already requires voters to verify their citizenship when they register, making SB 436 an unnecessary hurdle for voters.

Our coalition is calling upon the Louisiana secretary of state to protect the freedom to vote for all Louisianians by correcting SB 436's unlawful requirement and enforcing the NVRA in the state.