Attention Drawn To Lawmakers' Vote Changes In The La. House

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A Republican state lawmaker from Norco is trying to draw attention to a practice little-known to the public. House lawmakers can change their votes after bills have passed or failed, as long as the switch doesn't change the outcome.

Rep. Greg Miller says he thinks people should "live with their votes." He's taken to questioning lawmakers about switched positions on bills when they ask for permission to change their votes, rather than allowing it to be routine.

Critics say vote-switching allows lawmakers to change their positions to lessen pushback against their votes or to curry favor with particular lobbying groups.

When House lawmakers change their votes, only the final decision shows up in the vote tally listed online.

The Senate doesn't allow such switches after the voting machine is closed.