
Explaining the Constitutional Amendments
On the October 14 Ballot you can anticipate voting on four constitutional amendments. In addition to knowing about the candidates you support and why, we want to help ensure you feel confident to vote all down the ballot. Make your voice heard as we head to the polls to decide on what should be changed in our state constitution.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 1
“Do you support an amendment to prohibit the use of funds, goods, or services from a foreign government or a nongovernmental source to conduct elections and election functions and duties unless the use is authorized by the secretary of state through policies established in accordance with law?”
This ballot measure would prevent financial support from non-profit, private, or international donors for Louisiana elections. This does not currently happen. In 2020, there were private funders who supported election protection in other states in America to expand voter accessibility while reducing costs during the pandemic, but Louisiana did not utilize these funds.
A “yes” vote would ban all outside donations for election infrastructure.
A ‘no’ vote would not change any current practices for election infrastructure and would allow the state to accept additional funding in the future to support elections.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 2
“Do you support an amendment to provide that the freedom of worship in a church or other place of worship is a fundamental right that is worthy of the highest order of protection?”
This ballot measure is in response to the closure of places of worship during the COVID-19 pandemic emergency. Freedom of religion and the right to worship are already protected under both the Federal Constitution and the State Constitution.
A “yes” vote would supports adding a new amendment to the Constitution that would protect the right to worship, a right that is already protected by both the Federal Constitution and the state Constitution.
A “no” vote supports keeping current protections for religious freedoms and not inserting additional language.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3
“Do you support an amendment to require that a minimum of twenty-five percent of any money designated as non recurring state revenue be applied toward the balance of the unfunded accrued liability of the state retirement systems?”
Currently, the state constitution dedicates 10% of non recurring revenues to fund the state retirement system debt. Non recurring revenue is money that is not guaranteed again, it may come from one time federal funding or sale of a state property. The unfunded accrued liability of the state retirement system is the difference between the estimated cost of funding future retirement programs and money that the state has to pay for it. Currently, this difference is estimated to be $17 billion dollars.
A “yes” vote would increase the amount of non recurring revenue that will be applied towards Louisiana’s state retirement system debt to 25%.
A ‘no” vote would would keep the current amount of non recurring revenue applied to the state retirement system debt at 10%.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 4
“Do you support an amendment to deny a property tax exemption to a nonprofit corporation or association that owns residential property in such a state of disrepair that it endangers public health or safety?”
Currently, housing owned by nonprofits can be exempt from paying property taxes. This ballot measure would not allow property tax exemptions for the nonprofits if the housing they are providing is endangering public health or safety and the property owner receives three or more code enforcement violations within a year for issues that endanger residents or the community. This ballot measure will make housing nonprofits provide safe housing if they want to receive property tax benefits.
A “yes” vote would support not allowing housing nonprofits to receive a property tax benefit if the property is in disrepair and endangers the health and safety of residents and community members.
A ‘no” vote would allow housing nonprofits to continue to receive property tax benefits for properties that are endangering the health and safety of residents and community members.