A Louisiana Senate committee voted along party lines Wednesday to reject a Democratic-sponsored voting rights bill that sought to expand early voting periods and mail-in ballot access, marking another defeat for election reform efforts in the Deep South.
The 5-2 vote by the Republican-majority Senate Governmental Affairs Committee effectively kills SB 101, which proposed extending early voting from 7 to 14 days before elections and allowing no-excuse absentee voting. Current law restricts mail ballots to specific categories like overseas military or disabled voters.
“This was about making democracy more accessible to working families,” said a Democratic staffer familiar with the legislation who spoke on condition of anonymity. “Opponents keep citing unfounded fraud concerns while ignoring real barriers like 12-hour work shifts.”
Republican committee chair Sen. Sharon Hewitt defended the decision, telling reporters the bill “created unnecessary risks” to election integrity. Analysts note similar proposals have failed in all six Republican-controlled Southern legislatures this session.
The rejection comes as 14 states have enacted voting restrictions since 2023, according to the Brennan Center for Justice. Democrats warn the trend could suppress turnout in November’s presidential election, particularly among minority voters.