Louisiana voters to decide 10 constitutional changes

Louisiana voters will decide 10 proposed changes to the state constitution on Nov. 3, giving them 10 separate opportunities to shape the document that governs state government. The proposals will share the ballot with elections for congressional and local leaders.

Ten constitutional decisions

Each proposed change asks voters to make a decision about Louisiana’s constitution. These are decisions about the state’s governing document, not contests between candidates for public office.

The number of proposals means voters will encounter 10 constitutional questions in addition to the candidate races on the same ballot. A decision on one proposal is separate from choices involving the other proposed changes.

Voters can also treat their decisions on the constitutional proposals separately from their selections for congressional and local leadership. Choosing a candidate does not determine a voter’s position on any of the 10 proposed constitutional changes.

What the Nov. 3 ballot covers

The Nov. 3 election combines two kinds of public decisions. Voters will select people to serve as congressional and local leaders, and they will decide whether the state constitution should be changed through the 10 proposals.

That structure makes the constitutional questions a significant part of the ballot even though no candidate is directly linked to them. Voters may make an individual choice on each proposed change while also completing the congressional and local sections of the ballot.

The constitutional proposals concern Louisiana’s state governing document. The candidate races determine who will hold congressional and local offices.