Ballot also includes three parish-wide millage renewals
Residents planning to vote in the May 16 election must meet looming registration deadlines, with in-person and mail-in applications due by April 15. Those utilizing Louisiana’s GeauxVote online system have until April 25 to register for the ballot, which includes three parish-wide propositions to renew taxes for the school district and the hospital district.
The tax propositions for the school district are not new taxes but renewals of existing mill rates for a 10-year period. One mill equals $1 for every $1,000 of a property’s assessed value.
The renewals fund day-to-day operations and long-term facility needs, accounting for about 36 percent of district funding.
In 2017, parish voters approved a 43.18-mill property tax for the operation and maintenance of public schools. Proposition 1 on this year’s ballot will set a lower millage rate of 39 through 2037. This rate funds teacher salaries as well as essential services and personnel for the universal pre-K program. It also sustains school-based mental health professionals, school resource officers, workforce development opportunities, bus transportation, utilities and other items.
Superintendent Ken Oertling said the renewal of the millage is essential to sustaining the district’s progress.
“It ensures we can keep classrooms staffed, safe, and equipped with the tools students need to thrive,” he said.
Proposition 2 on the ballot asks residents to renew the district’s construction and facility improvements at 4.92 mills through 2037. This millage funds safety and security upgrades, maintenance of school grounds, salaries for maintenance personnel and other items. It would collect over $12 million each year.
The third parish-wide proposition is a 10-year continuation of a 2.13-mill tax for the hospital district. The tax helps fund the construction, operation and maintenance of hospital facilities and ambulance service for both the East and West bank.
The ballot also includes closed party primaries for Republicans and Democrats, while voters registered as No Party may choose either party’s ballot. This marks a shift from Louisiana’s open-party primary elections after the legislature voted in 2024 to move to a closed process. Under the new system, the candidates on a voter’s ballot will be limited to those of the voter’s party affiliation.
Brian Champagne, registrar of voters for the parish, said the parish has not had party primaries since 2008.
“It is hard to predict what the voter turnout will be,” Champagne said. “It will be candidate driven.”
Republican voters will decide between Bill Cassidy, John Fleming, Julia Letlow or Mark Spencer as the party’s candidate for U.S. Senator. Republican primary candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives are Randall Arrington and Steve Scalise.
Republicans will also vote for a candidate for the Louisiana Public Service Commission.
Registered democrats will decide between Nicholas Nick Albares, Gary Crockett and Jamie Davis as the party’s candidate for U.S. Senator. Democratic candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives are Troy Carter, Sr. and Renada Honey Collins.
Voters will also consider five amendments to the Louisiana Constitution. Among the most debated is a proposal to increase the mandatory retirement age for state judges from 70 to 75, a move supporters argue retains experienced legal minds while critics suggest it could slow the advancement of younger judicial candidates. Another amendment would repeal three education revenue funds and redirect the money to the state’s teacher retirement system. Proponents argue that stabilizing pensions protects retirees, but critics say this eliminates protected education funds.
Champagne said he wants residents to know they can view the sample ballot on the registrar’s website or by using the geauxvote app.
“The Secretary of State has mailed information to voters concerning the party primary,” he said.
If you are registered Democrat or Republican, you will receive that party ballot. Libertarian, Green or any other party voter will only vote on the constitutional amendments and parish propositions, Champagne said.
Voters can change their party affiliation in person or by mail by Wednesday, April 15 or online by Saturday, April 25.
Early voting for the May 16 election is scheduled to run from May 2 through May 9, excluding Sunday, at designated parish locations. Polls will remain open on election day from 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.
