Saturday’s ballot included five proposed amendments to Louisiana’s Constitution.
All five me with ignominious defeat, even one that promised a teacher pay bump (No. 3 did lead the way with 42% approval). Even the dubious practice of holding these elections off-cycle could not drag these changes to Louisiana’s Constitution across the finish line. Is it indicative of some broader meaning, a sign of disgust (or at least lack of trust) with the legislature?
CA No. 1 (ACT No. 223, 2025-RS – SB 8) — To authorize the addition or removal of positions in the unclassified state civil service by law
“Do you support an amendment to allow the legislature to remove or add officers, positions, and employees to the unclassified state civil service?” (Amends Article X, Section 2(B))
According to Public Affairs Research (PAR) Council:
FAILED.
78% of Louisianans opposed the amendment (79% of Ascension voters)
CA No. 2 (ACT No. 218, 2025-RS – SB 25) — To grant St. George community school system the authority to operate a school system
Do you support an amendment to grant the St. George community school system in East Baton Rouge Parish the same authority granted parishes for purposes of Article VIII, Section 13 of the Constitution of Louisiana, including purposes related to the minimum foundation program, funding for certain school books and instructional materials, and the raising of certain local revenues for the support of elementary and secondary schools? (Amends Article VIII, Section 13(D)(1))
FAILED.
64% of Louisianans opposed the amendment (56% of Ascension voters)
CA No. 3 (ACT No. 222, 2025-RS – HB 473) — To fund a teacher pay raise by paying down debt of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana
Do you support an amendment to fund a $2,250 teacher pay raise and $1,125 support staff pay raise by utilizing the remaining savings from paying down the debt of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana with monies from certain constitutional funds? (Effective January 1, 2027) (Amends Article VII, Section 10.8(A)(1), (2), and (4), (B), and (C)(1); Adds Article VII, Section 10.17; Repeals Article VII, Sections 10(F)(4)(d), 10.1, 10.8(A)(3) and (C)(3), and 10.16(A)(9))
FAILED.
58% of Louisianans opposed the amendment (60% of Ascension voters)
CA No. 4 (ACT No. 221, 2025-RS – HB 366) — To provide authority for a parish to classify and authorize exemptions relative to ad valorem taxes
Do you support an amendment to allow a parish to reduce or exempt property tax on property held as business inventory and to provide for the classification of Public Service Property? (Amends Article VII, Sections 10.15(F)(1) and 18(A) and (B); Adds Article VII, Sections 20.1, 20.2, and 21(P))
FAILED.
66% of Louisianans opposed the amendment (68% of Ascension voters)
CA No. 5 (ACT No. 219, 2025-RS – HB 63) — To change the mandatory retirement age of judges from 70 to 75 years of age
Do you support an amendment to change the mandatory retirement age for judges from seventy to seventy-five, provided that a judge may continue to serve to complete a term of office? (Amends Article V, Section 23(B))
FAILED.
77% of Louisianans opposed the amendment (82% of Ascension voters)
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