Guide to the May 16th Election
Since the recent Supreme Court ruling overturned significant elements of the Voting Rights Act, there’s some confusion about the May 16th election in Louisiana. The election is still happening. Here’s everything you need to know.
What’s on the Ballot in New Orleans?
Louisiana has moved to a closed primary system, which means that your ballot will depend on what party you're registered as.
Everyone will vote on:
Judge Civil District Court, Division M
Judge Civil District Court, Division N
Judge Criminal District Court, Section J
5 State Constitutional Amendments
Your ballot in the Closed Party Primaries will depend on your voter registration:
If you're registered Democrat, you will vote in the Democratic Party Primary.
US Senator Democratic Party
US Representative 2nd Congressional District
If you're registered Republican, you will vote in the Republican Party Primary:
US Senator Republican Party
US Representative 1st Congressional District
Associate Justice Supreme Court, 1st District
Public Service Commission (PSC) District 1
Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) District 1
If you're registered No Party, you will get to choose between the Democrat and Republican Closed Party Primary ballots. You may also choose not to vote in either closed party primary.
If you're registered Libertarian, Green, or any other party, you won't have any closed party primary on your ballot
Neighborhood-Specific Ballot Measures
Residents of Upper Hurstville Uptown and Castle Manor in New Orleans East also have a neighborhood-specific ballot proposition.
Research your vote
Before you head to the polls, make sure you know what you're voting on, and what the outcomes would be. Here's where you can find more information. Any endorsements in the below guides do not represent the views of CBNO or our leadership.
Power Coalition - Lists the candidates in each race, and gives brief explanations of all the constitutional amendments, with a focus on equity and justice. Nonpartisan.
Antigravity Voter Guide - provides context and background on every item on the ballot. Strongly left-leaning.
PAR Louisiana's guide - long form analysis that lays out current context, and arguments for and against each amendment. Nonpartisan.
New Orleans Bar Association Poll - The New Orleans Bar Association polled 144 members, lawyers who work in the system every day, for their preferences among the judicial candidates. Nonpartisan.
Louisiana Illuminator - Gives a biography of candidates in every statewide race, and links to recent coverage to read for more detailed analysis. Nonpartisan.
What do these people actually do?
It's important to know what the positions on your ballot are responsible for, and what would make a good candidate. Check out the Power Coalition's Guide to Elected Officials for a full rundown.
The Constitutional Amendments
There are 5 proposed amendments to the State Constitution. Learn more context from these two nonpartisan guides:
PAR Louisiana's guide - long form analysis that lays out current context, and arguments for and against each amendment.
Power Coalition's guide - quicker, summarized analysis with a focus on equity. Makes recommendations on how to vote on each amendment.
Amendment 1: Civil Service - would allow the State Legislature authority over which jobs are classified (protected) vs. unclassified (serve-at-will) without approval from the independent Civil Service Commission.
Amendment 2: St. George Schools - would allow the schools in the city of St. George in East Baton Rouge Parish to operate independently of the EBR Parish school system, receive its own share of state education funding, and raise taxes to support only the schools within its limits.
Amendment 3: Eliminate Education Trust Funds for Retirement Payment and Teacher Pay - would eliminate dedicated funds for education and use the money to pay retirement debts and give teachers and school staff a raise. Teachers would get a $2,250 raise, and school staff would get a $1,125 raise now; and future school funding needs would not have a dedicated source of funding.
Amendment 4: Property Taxes on Business Inventory - would allow parish governments to reduce or eliminate property taxes on business inventory. If they do, the state would pay the parish a one-time incentive payment between $500K and $15M. This amendment would encourage parishes to eliminate a long-term tax revenue stream for essential services, in exchange for a one-time revenue boost.
Amendment 5: Mandatory Retirement Age for Judges - would increase the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75. Current judges that are approaching retirement age would stay on the bench longer, and some may run for re-election. People aged 70-75 would be able to run for judge.
Neighborhood-Specific Ballot Measures
UPTOWN - Upper Hurstville Security District $650 Parcel Fee Renewal– CC – 8 Yrs.
A parcel feel for property owners in the uptown neighborhood bounded by Exposition Boulevard, Prytania Street, Nashville Avenue, and Magazine Street. This is a renewal of an existing fee that residents pay for increased private security in the neighborhood. A yes vote would renew the fee for another 8 years. A no vote would allow it to expire.
NEW ORLEANS EAST - Castle Manor Improvement District $100 Parcel Fee – CC – 5 Yrs.
This parcel fee is back on the ballot after being voted down narrowly in October. It would introduce a parcel fee in the Castle Manor Subdivision in New Orleans East (bounded by Cerise Avenue, Chef Menteur Highway, Gawain Drive, and the Dwyer Road canal). The fee would generate an estimated $65,000 per year for beautification, security, and supplemental law enforcement for 5 years. Residential property owners would pay $100 per parcel, and commercial properties would pay $200 per parcel. After 3 years, the district could increase the fees by up to $25.
