Program C: Voter Registration

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Program C: Voter Registration

Program Authorization: La. Constitution, Article IV, Sec. 12; R.S. 36:661; R.S. 18:16-21; R.S. 18:31; R.S. 18:51-64; R.S. 18:400 2-1400.6; P.L. 103-31; LAC 31:II.Chapter 3: LAC 31:II.Chapter 5; and LAC 31:II.Chapter 6

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

The mission of the Voter Registration Program is to advance the department's leadership position as the premier voter registration systems in the nation; to afford the citizens of Louisiana more opportunities for voter registration; and to make young citizens more aware of the importance of registering as soon as they are eligible.

The goals of the Voter Registration Program are:

Administer the laws governing voter registration.

Promote voter registration through education and public awareness programs.

Develop programs for the statewide voter registration system to better assist the parish registrars of voters and serve the general public.

Ensure the accuracy and integrity of the information contained in the statewide voter registration system.

The Voter Registration Program is responsible for prescribing rules and instructions to be applied uniformly by the parish registrars of voters; compiling and storing statistical research, political analysis, and voter trends; and maintaining the state's voter registration system, including voter information and statistics. Parish registrars of voters register and canvass voters to ensure registration in the proper ward and precinct. The Voter Registration Program includes the following activities: Voter Registration Administration Section, Data Processing Section, and Registrars of Voters Section.

The Registration Administration Section directs, assists, and prescribes rules, regulations, forms, and instructions to be applied uniformly by each registrar of voters in the state.

The Data Processing Section compiles and stores statistical information that is available for use by all departments of government as well as candidates for public office and all other persons interested in statistical research, political analysis, and voter trends. The data provided includes but is not limited to voter turnout statistics for each election. The Voter Registration System (ERIN System) has centralized all voter information and statistics to ensure the integrity of the state's voter rolls, protect against dual registration of individuals, and cancel the registration of individuals who are interdicted or decreased.

The Registrars of Voters Section registers all persons interested in becoming a registered voter and updates voter registration data. In accordance with statutory requirements, the Department of Elections and Registration is required to pay the state's share of the salaries for the registrars of voters and their employees as well as a prorated portion of the annual canvass cost. The canvass examines the validity of the addresses of record for the registered voters in Louisiana.

OBJECTIVES AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Unless otherwise indicated, all objectives are to be accomplished during or by the end of FY 1999-2000. Performance indicators are made up of two parts: name and value. The indicator name describes what is being measured. The indicator value is the numeric value or level achieved within a given measurement period. For budgeting purposes, performance indicator values are shown for the prior fiscal year, the current fiscal year, and alternative funding scenarios (continuation budget level and Executive Budget recommendation level) for the ensuing fiscal year (the fiscal year of the budget document).

RESOURCE ALLOCATION FOR THE PROGRAM

SOURCE OF FUNDING

This program is funded with State General Fund and Fees and Self-generated Revenues. Fees and Self-generated Revenues are derived from the following: (1) candidate qualifying fees; (2) from the local governments annual canvass of voters; and (3) from commercial sales of voter registration lists and/or statistical information.

ANALYSIS OF RECOMMENDATION

GENERAL FUND	TOTAL	T.O.	DESCRIPTION

$7,331,220	$7,971,220	14	ACT 19 FISCAL YEAR 1998-1999

			BA-7 TRANSACTIONS:
$0	$0	0	None

$7,331,220	$7,971,220	14	EXISTING OPERATING BUDGET – November 20, 1998

$14,768	$14,768	0	Annualization of FY 1998 – 1999 Classified State Employees Merit Increase
$27,542	$27,542	0	Annualization of FY 1998 – 1999 Unclassified State Employees Merit Increase
$16,326	$16,326	0	Classified State Employees Merit Increases for FY 1999 – 2000
$62,165	$62,165	0	Unclassified State Employees Merit Increases for FY 1999 – 2000
($16,919)	($16,919)	0	Attrition Adjustment
$133,641	$133,641	0	Adjustment for 27^th pay period of FY 1999-2000 for the state’s share of the cost for the Register of Voters and their assistants

$7,568,743	$8,208,743	14	TOTAL RECOMMENDED

$237,523	$237,523	0	DIFFERENCE (TOTAL RECOMMENDED AND EXISTING OPERATING BUDGET)

The total means of financing for this program is recommended at 102.9% of the existing operating budget. It represents 82.3% of the total request ($9,971,359) for this program.

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

$130,000		Maintenance of the Statewide Voter Registration System and other associated systems related to Elections and Election Cost Recovery.

$130,000		TOTAL PROFESSIONAL SERVICES

OTHER CHARGES

$4,629,092		Funding for one-half the salaries and related benefits for Registrars of Voters and their assistants

$4,629,092		TOTAL OTHER CHARGES

ACQUISITIONS AND MAJOR REPAIRS

This program does not have funding for Acquisitions and Major Repairs for Fiscal Year 1999-2000.

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