Louisiana voters approve all 4 constitutional amendments in December election

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) -- Louisiana voters have decided on four constitutional amendments during the elections held on Saturday, December 7. These decisions follow the approval of one amendment during the November 5 election, which mandated that federal funds from alternative or renewable energy production be allocated to the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund. The December ballot also included several municipal general elections and local propositions across various parishes.

PAR Louisiana helps break down both sides of the argument for each of the amendments through their constitutional amendment guide, referenced in all amendment summaries below.

Amendment 1: Judicial Oversight and Commission Expansion

“Do you support an amendment to allow the supreme court to sanction a judge upon an investigation by the judiciary commission, and provide that the recommended sanction shall be instituted by the judiciary commission or by a majority of the supreme court, and to provide for the appointment of five members of the judiciary commission?”

A vote for the amendment would increase the number of people on the state Judiciary Commission from nine to 14 members. The Louisiana Senate president and House speaker would be allowed to appoint two members each and the governor to appoint one additional member.

It would also give the Louisiana Supreme Court the authority to investigate misconduct allegations against judges.

Result: Passed

Complete but unofficial results from the Secretary of State showed the constitutional amendment was approved with 53% of the votes.

Amendment 2: Legislative Review Period for Fiscal Bills

“Do you support an amendment to require that the legislature wait for at least forty-eight hours prior to concurring in a conference committee report or amendments to a bill appropriating money?”

A vote for this amendment would require lawmakers to wait at least 48 hours to review proposed bill amendments appropriating money before a final vote. A vote against would continue to allow lawmakers to take a final vote on bills appropriating money and send them to the governor at any time during a session.

Result: Passed

Complete but unofficial results from the Secretary of State showed the constitutional amendment was approved with 66% of the votes.

Amendment 3: Extending Legislative Sessions for Budget Deliberations

“Do you support an amendment to allow the legislature to extend a regular session in increments of two days up to a maximum of six days if necessary to pass a bill appropriating money?”

A vote for this constitutional amendment would allow lawmakers to extend a regular legislative session up to six days if more time is needed to pass a bill appropriating money. A two-thirds vote would be needed from the House and Senate.

Result: Passed

Complete but unofficial results from the Secretary of State showed the constitutional amendment was approved with 58% of the votes.

Amendment 4: Property Tax Sales and Penalties Reform

“Do you support an amendment to eliminate mandatory tax sales for nonpayment of property taxes and require the legislature to provide for such procedures by law; to limit the amount of penalty and interest on delinquent property taxes; and to provide for the postponement of property tax payments under certain circumstances?”

A vote for this constitutional amendment would shift the state from a tax sale process to a tax lien auction process when a property owner hasn't paid property taxes. Changes would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2026.

A vote against would keep the tax sale process in place.

Result: Passed

Complete but unofficial results from the Secretary of State showed the constitutional amendment was approved with 55% of the votes.