Louisiana residents are gearing up for the Gubernatorial Primary election scheduled for November 18, 2023. The polls will be open from 7 AM until 8 PM on that day, giving voters ample opportunity to cast their ballots.
If you plan to participate in this election, be aware that the deadline to register to vote is October 28. Early voting will also be available from 8:30 AM until 6 PM between November 3 and November 11, with the exception of Sunday, November 5, and Veterans Day, which falls on Friday, November 10.
Several statewide positions are in a runoff, with the outcomes to be determined on November 18. These include:
Secretary of State: Gwen Collins-Greenup and Nancy Landry are vying for this role.
Attorney General: Lindsy Cheek and Liz Baker Murrill are the candidates.
Treasurer: John Fleming and Dustin Granger are competing for this position.
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) for District 4: Stacey Melerine and Emma Shepard are the candidates in this runoff.
Furthermore, there are four proposed constitutional amendments on the November 18 ballot:
Amendment No. 1: This amendment clarifies the timing of the governor’s action on a bill. A “yes” vote would allow the legislature to reconsider vetoed bills without needing a separate veto session if the legislature is still in session.
Amendment No. 2: Amendment No. 2 seeks to remove provisions in the Constitution of Louisiana that created inactive special funds within the state treasury. A “yes” vote would result in the removal of funds from these inactive programs and place the funds in the state general fund. The inactive programs include Atchafalaya Basin Conservation Fund, Higher Education Louisiana Partnership Fund, Millennium Leverage Fund, Agricultural and Seafood Products Support Fund, First Use Tax Trust Fund, and Louisiana Investment Fund for Enhancement.
Amendment No. 3: This amendment authorizes the local governing authority of a parish to provide ad valorem tax exemptions for qualified first responders. A “yes” vote would empower local parish authorities to grant ad valorem tax exemptions for first responders in their parish.
Amendment No. 4: Amendment No. 4 authorizes the legislature, after securing a two-thirds vote, to use up to $250,000,000 from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to alleviate a budget deficit. A “yes” vote would mean that, under specific conditions outlined in the law, the legislature, with a successful two-thirds vote in each house, could access up to $250,000,000 from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to address budget deficits.
Louisiana residents are encouraged to participate in the election and consider these proposed constitutional amendments, as they will have a significant impact on the state’s governance and finances. Make your voice heard on November 18, 2023.