This section sets strict filing deadlines for different types of election-related actions.
§1405. Time for commencement of action A. An action objecting to candidacy shall be instituted not later than 4:30 p.m. of the seventh day after the close of qualifications for candidates in the primary election. After the expiration of the time period set forth in this Section, no further action shall be commenced objecting to candidacy based on the grounds for objections to candidacy contained in R.S. 18:492. B. An action contesting any election involving election to office shall be instituted not later than 4:30 p.m. of the ninth day after the date of the election, and no such contest shall be declared moot because of the performance or nonperformance of a ministerial function including but not limited to matters relating to the printing of ballots for the general election. C. An action contesting an election on a proposed constitutional amendment shall be instituted no earlier than the day after the election and not later than 4:30 p.m. of the tenth day after promulgation of the results of the election by the secretary of state. D. An action contesting an election submitting a proposition to the voters, except a constitutional amendment or a proposition covered by Subsection E of this Section, shall be instituted not later than 4:30 p.m. of the thirtieth day after the official promulgation of the results of the election. E. An action contesting an election on a proposition submitted to the voters relating to the issuance of bonds, refunding bonds, assuming an indebtedness, or levying a tax shall be instituted not later than 4:30 p.m. of the sixtieth day after official promulgation of the results. If the legality of the election, the bond issue provided for, the tax authorized, or the assumption of indebtedness is not contested within the sixty days herein prescribed, the authority to incur the debt, levy the tax, or issue the bonds, the legality thereof, and the taxes and other revenues necessary to pay the same shall be conclusively presumed to be valid and no court thereafter shall have authority to inquire into such matters. F. An action contesting the certification of a recall petition shall be instituted after the certification of the recall petition as provided in R.S. 18:1300.3 and not later than 4:30 p.m. of the fifteenth day after the governor has issued the proclamation ordering the recall election or not later than 4:30 p.m. of the fifteenth day after the last day for the governor to call the election if no recall election is called. G. An action objecting to the calling of a special election shall be instituted not later than 4:30 p.m. of the fourteenth day after the calling of the election. H. An action contesting any election involving the recall of a public officer shall be instituted not later than 4:30 p.m. of the ninth day after the date of the election. Acts 1976, No. 697, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978. Amended by Acts 1977, No. 523, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1978; Acts 1980, No. 506, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1981; Acts 1982, No. 10, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1983; Acts 1984, No. 712, §1, eff. July 13, 1984; Acts 1989, No. 179, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1990; Acts 1992, No. 949, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 1993; Acts 1995, No. 300, §1, eff. June 15, 1995; Acts 1999, No. 254, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2000; Acts 2004, No. 526, §2, eff. June 25, 2004; Acts 2006, No. 560, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2007; Acts 2007, No. 448, §1; Acts 2010, No. 570, §1, eff. Jan. 1, 2011; Acts 2010, No. 621, §1; Acts 2012, No. 138, §1, eff. May 14, 2012; Acts 2025, No. 386, §1.