Although the Louisiana legislature is expected to give final approval to return the state’s congressional elections to the system used 1998-2006, it is likely that the bill won’t take effect until 2011. See this story.
The system used 1998-2006 calls for the first election to be in November, with all candidates on a single ballot. If no one gets 50%, there is a run-off in December. Thanks to Steve Rankin for the link.
The two versions are scheduled for floor consideration on June 14 and June 17.
HB 292 passed the House, and then was amended in the Senate to change the effective date to this year, plus some minor technical changes. The House rejected the Senate changes, and so the bill went to conference committee, where the effective date was restored to January 1, 2011, but accepted some minor technical changes. The conference committee report will be before the House on June 14. It has been reported to the senate, but no action has been scheduled.
SB 796 is the senate version of the bill which was passed while the senator who proposed changing the effective date was off the floor. He said that the bill went through the senate so quick he didn’t have a chance to propose his bill. This bill will be considered on 3rd reading on June 17. If it passes, it would then go to Governor Jindal.
The conference committee report for HB 292 was adopted on a 75-17 vote (the roll call report shows 76-16).