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The information below is left for historical reference.
Constitutional Amendments
Here are the amendments appearing on the Dec. 10 ballot.
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Amendment #1 – Prohibits noncitizens from voting
The gist: This amendment makes explicit that only U.S. citizens can register and vote in Louisiana elections.
Federal law requires U.S. citizenship to vote in federal elections. That doesn’t mean noncitizens can’t vote in local or state elections. Eleven states have laws on the books allowing noncitizens to vote in some circumstances. This amendment would prevent Louisiana from joining them.
Vote Yes: Only U.S. citizens should be permitted to vote in U.S. elections, and that includes local and state elections. Louisiana should adopt laws that enshrine that principle.
Vote No: Elections have consequences for everyone, regardless of their citizenship status. There are cases where noncitizens should be allowed to vote. Louisiana shouldn’t issue a blanket prohibition.
What the ballot says: Do you support an amendment to provide that no person who is not a citizen of the United States shall be allowed to register and vote in this state?
Amendment #2 – Requires Senate confirmation of governor’s civil service board appointees
The gist: This amendment would grant the Senate approval authority over the governor’s appointments to the body that oversees the state’s civil service employees.
Six of the Civil Service Commission’s seven-member board are governor’s appointees. By law, they’re nominated by the presidents of Louisiana’s six largest private colleges and universities, but chosen by the governor. A seventh is elected by the state’s civil service employees.
Around 40,000 civil service workers are employed by Louisiana, more than half of the state’s workforce.
Vote Yes: Adding more oversight is never a bad thing. Louisiana’s governor is too powerful already and needs more checks.
Vote No: This check is unnecessary and adds another arena for petty political squabbling between the Legislature and the governor’s office.
What the ballot says: Do you support an amendment to make appointed members of the State Civil Service Commission subject to confirmation by the Louisiana Senate?
Amendment #3 – Requires Senate confirmation of governor’s state police commission appointees
The gist: This amendment would grant the Senate approval authority over the governor’s appointments to the body that oversees the Louisiana State Police.
Six of the State Police Commission’s seven-member board are governor appointees. By law, they’re nominated by the presidents of Louisiana’s six largest private colleges and universities, but chosen by the governor. A seventh is elected by state police officers.
Around 1,000 state troopers patrol Louisiana, organized into nine troops. Troop I covers most of Acadiana, including Lafayette Parish.
Vote Yes: Adding more oversight is never a bad thing. Louisiana’s governor is too powerful already and needs more checks.
Vote No: This check is unnecessary and adds another arena for petty political squabbling between the Legislature and the governor’s office.
What the ballot says: Do you support an amendment to make appointed members of the State Police Commission subject to confirmation by the Louisiana Senate?
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