Louisiana voters head to the polls on May 16, 2026, to decide on five proposed constitutional amendments that touch civil service rules, school governance, teacher pay, property taxes and judicial retirement age. The ballot also includes other races and local contests, but the state's U.S. House primaries were suspended after a legal ruling and executive order, leaving the remaining May 16 items in place.
The Louisiana Secretary of State says the five amendments on the ballot are the only statewide propositions voters will see on May 16. Together, they cover major policy questions that could reshape how state government operates, how schools are funded and how local tax breaks are handled.
Amendment 1 would let the legislature add or remove officers, positions and employees in the unclassified state civil service by law. Supporters say it would give elected lawmakers more flexibility, while critics argue it could weaken civil service protections for state workers.
Amendment 2 deals with the proposed St. George community school system in East Baton Rouge Parish. It would give that school system the same authority granted to parishes for school funding and local revenue purposes.
Amendment 3 is the education-focused measure drawing the most attention, because it would fund a $2,250 teacher pay raise and a $1,125 support staff pay raise through savings tied to the Teachers' Retirement System. The proposal would also repeal several existing education trust funds and redirect remaining savings under new restrictions.
Amendment 4 would allow parishes to reduce or exempt property taxes on business inventory and adjust how public service property is classified. The measure is aimed at giving local governments more leeway on business tax policy, though the exact impact would vary parish by parish.
Amendment 5 would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75, while allowing a judge to finish out an existing term. It is the simplest of the five proposals, but it could affect how long judges are able to stay on the bench.
Louisiana's election picture changed days before the vote when Gov. Jeff Landry suspended the state's closed party primary elections for U.S. House seats following a court ruling. According to the governor's office, that suspension applies only to the congressional primaries; other May 16 races and ballot measures remain on schedule.
For voters, the practical takeaway is straightforward: the statewide decision on May 16 centers on the five constitutional amendments, while the rest of the ballot depends on parish and local election rules. Sample ballots are available through the Secretary of State and local election resources for voters who want to confirm exactly what appears in their precinct
