Louisiana:
Proof of Citizenship
Discriminatory Registration Requirement (2016)
In the Spring of 2016, FELN and the Southern Poverty Law Center filed suit claiming that Louisiana was discriminating against naturalized citizens by requiring them to provide citizenship documents when registering to vote – a requirement that was not asked of other potential voters who must simply swear they are U.S. citizens. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of three naturalized citizens who must meet the requirement, which dates back to 1874. VAYLA New Orleans, a nonprofit organization that has attempted to register voters, is also a plaintiff.
Less than a month after the filing, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards signed legislation repealing the law – effectively resolving the lawsuit.
For more information see our press releases announcing the lawsuit and the resulting repeal.