November 2026 Ballot
Constitutional Amendments
Five proposed constitutional amendments on Louisiana’s November 3 ballot could change property tax breaks for seniors and disabled veterans, how local governments manage tax rates, and incentives for rehabilitating blighted properties. What would these changes mean for homeowners, local governments, and taxpayers? This week on LA Speaks, LPB’s Christina Jensen talks with Barry Erwin, Chief Policy Officer for Leaders for a Better Louisiana, about the five property tax amendments and what voters need to know before heading to the polls.
Louisiana voters face important decisions on November 3rd, with constitutional amendments that could affect everything from criminal justice and gubernatorial term limits to state finances, drinking water and property rights. LPB’s Christina Jensen sits down with Barry Erwin, Chief Policy Officer for Leaders for a Better Louisiana, to break down five amendments beyond the property tax proposals. Together, they examine what each measure would change, why it matters and what voters should understand before casting their ballots on November 3.
U.S. Senate
U.S. Representative Julia Letlow has entered the race with President Trump’s endorsement.
Jamie Davis is a farmer from Tensas Parish and member of the Democratic State Central Committee.
Public Service Commission
Louisiana’s Public Service Commission plays a key role in decisions affecting utility oversight, electricity costs, and the state’s energy future. With two of the commission’s five seats up for election this November, LPB examines the races and what they could mean for ratepayers.
LPB’s Christina Jensen sits down with Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Davante Lewis, Louisiana Radio Network President Jim Engster, and Logan Burke, Executive Director of the Alliance for Affordable Energy, to discuss the candidates, Louisiana’s changing energy landscape, and the potential impact of massive data center projects on electricity demand and infrastructure costs.
The report looks at the District 1 race to replace term-limited Commissioner Eric Skrmetta and the District 5 contest to succeed longtime Commissioner Foster Campbell. District 5 includes Richland Parish, where Meta is building its massive Hyperion data center, and the Shreveport-Bossier area, where Amazon data center projects are planned. As Louisiana’s energy demands grow, the election could help shape decisions affecting utility oversight, economic development, and the cost of keeping the lights on.
May 2026 Ballot
U.S. Senate - Republican Primary
In this segment, LPB’s Christina Jensen speaks with three Republican candidates running for the U.S. Senate seat representing Louisiana: incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy, U.S. Representative Julia Letlow and State Treasurer John Fleming.
U.S. Senate - Democratic Primary
There are three Democratic candidates competing in Louisiana’s closed primary for U.S. Senate: Nick Albares, Gary Crockett, and Jamie Davis. LPB’s Johnny Atkinson introduces us to the candidates and their take on specific issues.
Louisiana Constitutional Amendments
Barry Erwin, Chief Policy Officer for Leaders For A Better Louisiana, lays out the options with LPB's Johnny Atkinson.
- Amendment 1 gives the legislature more control the state civil service system.
- Amendment 2 grants St. George’s community school system the same authority as parish school systems.
- Amendment 3 uses savings from Teacher’s Retirement System debt to fund teacher and support staff pay raises.
- Amendment 4 exempts or reduces property taxes on business inventory.
- Amendment 5 raises the mandatory retirement age for judges.
St. George School District
Louisiana voters will decide if the city of St. George to form its own school district, separate from the system operated by East Baton Rouge Parish.
The amendment must pass both statewide and across East Baton Rouge Parish.
East Baton Rouge School board member Dadrius Lanus warns the split could affect up to 20% of jobs and reduce funding for the current system, with estimated loses of $94 million in local tax revenue and up to $20 million in state funding. Opponents also argue the move could worsen racial segregation and hurt lower-income students remaining in Baton Rouge schools. Meanwhile, St. George Mayor Dustin Yates says the city would take over five schools and nearly 5,800 students, easing the burden on the parish system while creating new opportunities for educators.
LPB’s Christina Jensen explores both sides of the debate.
About the Series
Louisiana: The State We’re In, Louisiana's only statewide news magazine. The program airs Fridays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 4:30 p.m. on the six-station LPB network that includes stations in Alexandria, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, and Shreveport.
This award-winning show combines in-depth coverage about the important issues in the state along with expert analysis. Louisiana: The State We’re In has been a leader reporting on the Louisiana Legislature with a goal to explain how legislation affects the lives of the people of the state. The program also features the art, culture, places, and people that make Louisiana so unique, including stories about everyday citizens who are heroes and helpers to others in their communities.
