Every Friday, political reporter Molly Ryan wraps up the week’s news from the campaign trail and beyond.
Four constitutional amendments on the November ballot
In addition to voting for local and state officials, Louisiana voters will decide the fate of four constitutional amendments at the polls between now and November 18.
Last month, four other constitutional amendments on the primary ballot passed with a majority vote. The amendments that will appear on the November general election ballot deal with separate issues.
The Public Affairs Research Councila nonpartisan public policy group, published a guide to constitutional amendments. Voters can also browse a one page version — or check a quick summary of the guide on our website.
The first proposed amendment deals with deadlines for the governor to veto bills and the rules for veto sessions, in which the legislature has five days to override vetoes by the governor.
The second amendment would remove six inactive chapters from the state constitution. Five of these chapters contain no money. One fund, the Louisiana Investment Empowerment Fund (LIFE), has $604, according to the Public Affairs Research Council. If the amendment passes, that money would go into the state general fund for lawmakers to use as they see fit.
The third proposed amendment would give local governments the power to approve an additional property tax exemption of up to $25,000 for certain first responders in addition to the property tax exemption that most Louisiana residents receive on the first $75,000 of the home living, also known as the exemption of plots.
The fourth proposed amendment adds some restrictions on how lawmakers can access and use money from a state savings account known as the Income Stabilization Trust Fund.
Want to vote early in the general election? Polls will be open for (most of) the next 7 days
Early voting in the general election starts today – Friday, November 3 – and runs from next Saturday, November 11.
Polls will be open from 8:30am. until 6 p.m. each day of early voting — but will be closed on Sunday, Nov. 5 and Friday, Nov. 10 for Veterans Day.
Louisianans don’t need a reason to vote early – any registered voter can. But voters should check the Secretary of State Website for the designated early polling place, which is often different from the regular polling places.
In addition to the four constitutional amendments, here’s what’s on the general election ballot:
- Throughout the territory: Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General
- Local: The specific races vary by location, but many voters will see state representatives, sheriffs, school board members, clerks and other public officials on the ballot
In every statewide race, there is a Republican and a Democrat running for the seat. WRKF and WWNO will broadcast conversations with each of these candidates on Louisiana is considered, between now and election day. This week, he spoke with host Bob Pavlovic Attorney General Candidates Republican Liz Marrill and Democrat Lindsay Cheek.
Political news from across the state
Not just Jeff Landry. The Louisiana Legislature will also take a hard turn to the right. — Louisiana Illuminator, Baton Rouge
Democrats have been losing power in the state legislature for years as they lose seats in elections and as Democratic lawmakers defect to the Republican Party. With a Republican governor-elect Jeff Landry taking office and Republicans poised to retain a supermajority in the Legislature, this already red state is expected to shift even further to the right.
Next round of applications for $10,000 housing grants in Louisiana opens Monday — Louisiana Illuminator, Baton Rouge
Applications for the third round of funding for the Louisiana Fortify Homes program — a state-funded program that gives homeowners up to $10,000 to replace or strengthen their roofs — open Monday, Nov. 6. Most homeowners are eligible to receive the grants, which are issued on a first-come, first-served basis.
Jeff Landry builds New Orleans and focuses early: ‘We want it to work like…Charleston’ — The Advocate, Baton Rouge
As part of his transition, Republican Gov.-elect Jeff Landry announced 14 advisory boards Tuesday that will advise Landry on issues including crime, education and coastal restoration. One of the councils will focus on the city of New Orleans. It’s unclear exactly what that committee seeks to do, but Landry’s history of clashes with Democratic leaders in New Orleans has raised questions about the committee’s intent.
Every Friday afternoon, political reporter Molly Ryan brings listeners updates on elections and politics live on the Capitol Access segment of All Things Considered on WWNO and WRKF.