Lafayette, LA – Louisiana voters decisively rejected four proposed amendments to the state Constitution in the March election, each by a significant margin. The amendments, which had been put on the ballot by the state legislature last year at the urging of Governor Jeff Landry, addressed a range of issues, including specialty courts, changes to the state tax code, charging juveniles as adults, and altering the timeline for electing judges.
Despite extensive campaigning in favor of the amendments by political leaders, all four proposals failed by a margin of at least 60-40. The statewide results were as follows:
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Amendment 1: Failed 65% to 35%
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Amendment 2: Failed 65% to 35%
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Amendment 3: Failed 66% to 34%
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Amendment 4: Failed 64% to 36%
The rejection comes despite an aggressive push from the governor’s office, which sought to rally support for the changes. Governor Jeff Landry quickly alleged that the outcome had been influenced by external forces, claiming that “Soros and far left liberals” had manipulated the vote by spending millions of dollars to encourage voters to cast their ballots against the amendments.
Voter Turnout and Breakdown
Statewide voter turnout was relatively low, with just 21.5% of eligible voters participating in the election. Early voting accounted for 6% of the total vote, with a higher turnout among Democrats (29%) compared to Republicans (20%).
The voting patterns varied significantly across Louisiana’s parishes, particularly in Acadiana, a region known for its unique political dynamics. In some parishes, voters expressed support for the amendments, while others opposed them.
Acadiana: A Mixed Bag
In Acadiana, the response to the amendments was notably divided. While voters in parishes such as Acadia, Iberia, and Jeff Davis generally supported the proposals, other areas like Lafayette and St. Landry rejected them.
Acadia Parish was one of the few parishes where all four amendments received majority support, with early voters backing the proposals by even wider margins. Early voting in Acadia showed 63-66% support for the amendments. However, voter turnout in Acadia remained low, with only 13% of eligible voters casting their ballots.
In contrast, Lafayette Parish—one of Acadiana’s largest urban areas—saw a strong rejection of all four amendments. On Election Day, 63% of voters opposed Amendment 1, and similar trends were observed for the other amendments. Early voting also indicated opposition, though by narrower margins.
St. Martin Parish mirrored Lafayette’s overall stance, rejecting all four amendments, but early voting provided more favorable results, with approximately 58% support for Amendment 1. Despite these numbers, total turnout in the parish was just 17%.
Parishes of Concern
Evangeline Parish saw a shift in voting behavior. While election day voters rejected all four amendments, early voters had favored the proposals, particularly Amendments 1 and 2. In Iberia Parish, a similar pattern emerged, where early voters showed support, but the overall sentiment turned against the amendments. This split highlights how early voting played a crucial role in shaping the perception of the amendments, with different voting blocks appearing to have differing views on the proposals.
The results in St. Landry and St. Mary parishes also reflect the broader trend in Acadiana, where early voting sometimes diverged from election day results. In these parishes, the amendments were rejected by substantial margins, even in early voting.
Regional Discrepancies
The disparity between early voting results and final outcomes underscores the influence of different voter demographics. Early voting in many areas of Acadiana, particularly in rural parishes, demonstrated more support for the amendments, but the overall trend was reversed by Election Day voters, many of whom opposed the changes.
Governor Landry’s claims of external interference by liberal groups, including financial backing from figures like George Soros, reflect his frustration with the outcome, but it remains unclear whether these factors significantly influenced the final tally. His assertion that “millions” were spent to influence voters suggests a deeper political divide, both within Louisiana and at the national level.
What’s Next?
With all four amendments rejected, Louisiana lawmakers may need to reconsider their approach to constitutional reform, as these proposals have now been firmly opposed by voters. Governor Landry and state legislators will likely reassess their strategy moving forward, especially given the strong voter resistance, particularly in Acadiana.
The election results reflect not only the influence of local political dynamics but also the deep divides that continue to shape Louisiana’s political landscape. As political campaigns and constitutional amendments remain a key point of contention, it remains to be seen whether future proposals will meet with more success—or face the same fate as the March amendments.
For now, it’s clear that Louisiana voters have sent a strong message: they are not easily swayed by top-down proposals, particularly when they feel those proposals don’t align with local interests.