Louisiana Voters Tackle Tax Changes, Judicial Seats, and Senate Race Tuesday
Orleans Parish ballots include ten constitutional amendments, six congressional contests, and four neighborhood improvement district fees.
By Kofi Costa ·
Louisiana voters cast ballots on Tuesday, Nov. 3, in the midterm elections.
The top of the ticket features a U.S. Senate contest between Republican Julia Letlow and Democrat Jamie Davis. Poll data entering the day indicated the race was a tie. Voters also faced six races for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Ballots in Orleans Parish included ten constitutional amendments. Amendment 1 allows a one-time transfer of property tax exemptions for disabled veteran spouses. Amendment 2 permits local taxing authorities to maintain lower millage rates without losing future adjustment rights. Amendment 3 prohibits post-conviction bail for defendants convicted of aggravated offenses against minor children.
Amendment 4 imposes term limits on governors, barring those who served more than one and one-half terms from seeking future office. Amendment 5 allows state retirement systems to apply nonrecurring funds to any unfunded liability rather than the oldest one. Amendment 6 authorizes parishes and municipalities to grant additional property tax exemptions to residents aged 65 and older who qualify for special assessment levels.
Amendment 7 addresses public spending on drinking water utilities. Amendment 8 prohibits the expropriation of property by foreign adversaries or their agents. Amendment 9 raises the income cap for the special assessment level on residential property. Amendment 10 creates tax exemptions for rehabilitated blighted or derelict properties and requires legislative action for administration. Amendments 1, 2, 5, 6, 9, and 10 take effect on specific dates, with most becoming active on Jan. 1, 2027.
Local races include five seats on the Board of Education and multiple judicial positions in Civil and Criminal District Courts. Voters also decided on five neighborhood improvement district propositions. These measures propose annual fees ranging from $225 to $800 for security and beautification efforts in areas such as Kenilworth, Lake Bullard, Lake Willow, Lake Oaks, and Lakewood East. The Lake Oaks proposal caps fees at $800 per parcel, currently set at $500, for a four-year period ending in 2030.
A parishwide home rule charter amendment proposes to restrict budget transfers that cause departmental expenditures to exceed appropriated amounts. It also requires monthly reports to the City Council regarding budget status. The Louisiana Secretary of State will post official tallies as results become available.
