§43. Investigations and hearings; certain elections

A. The board may investigate any aspect of any election, except as provided in R.S. 18:45. The board may initiate such an investigation upon the receipt of a sworn statement by any registered voter of this state alleging error, fraud, irregularity, or other unlawful activity in the conduct of an election.

B. The board may convene in any location in the state for the purpose of conducting hearings and receiving testimony concerning any irregularity, error, or apparent violation of law in any election. It may convene upon the receipt by the board of a sworn statement by any registered voter of this state alleging error, fraud, irregularity, or other unlawful activity in the conduct of an election.

C. The board shall have the power and authority to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, compel the production of books, documents, records, and papers, public and private, and to do all other things necessary in carrying out its duties and responsibilities.

D. Failure to comply with any order of the board, issued in accordance with or under authority hereof, refusal to testify, or any act of disrespect or of disorderly or contemptuous behavior before the board shall constitute contempt of the board, and the board shall have the power and authority to institute proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction for the punishment thereof as provided by the constitution and laws. False swearing or perjury before the board shall in like manner be punished in accordance with the laws of the state.

E. All proceedings in connection with any investigation by the board shall be conducted in closed session, and for that purpose, such proceedings shall be exempt from the provisions of the Public Meetings Law. All records pertaining to such proceedings shall be exempt from the provisions of the Public Records Law. They shall remain confidential and not be open for public inspection unless and until they are entered into the record of any court, except as specifically provided in R.S. 18:44(C). However, the records and findings of the board pertaining to any such proceedings shall be made available to the attorney general, to any district attorney having jurisdiction of the matter contained in such records or findings upon formal written request, or in response to the order of any court having jurisdiction of the matter contained in such records or findings. Any person appearing before the board shall be entitled to the right to counsel.

Acts 1989, No. 45, §1.