Louisiana voters will decide ten constitutional amendments on the November 3, 2026 ballot. A constitutional amendment permanently changes Louisiana’s Constitution, the highest law of the state. These decisions impact our schools, taxes, courts, and communities. This guide, posted by power coalition.org, breaks down each amendment in plain language so you can make an informed decision.
Proposed Amendment 1: Disabled Veteran Property Tax Exemption
Do you support an amendment to allow the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran with a service-connected disability, who receives the additional property tax exemption, to make a one-time transfer of the additional property tax exemption to a subsequent qualifying property? (Effective January 1, 2027) (Amends Article VII, Section 21(K)(1))
What a YES Vote Means
A surviving spouse of a disabled veteran can transfer an existing additional property tax exemption to one new qualifying home after moving.
What a NO Vote Means
The additional tax exemption stays with the original property and cannot be transferred to a new home.
Who is Affected?
Surviving spouses of disabled veterans
Local governments
Potential Impact
Eligible surviving spouses would have greater flexibility to move without losing their property tax benefit. Local governments may collect slightly less property tax revenue from qualifying properties.
Proposed Amendment 2: Local Property Tax Rates (Millages)
Do you support an amendment to allow a local taxing authority to continue to levy a lower millage rate without losing its ability to adjust to the maximum authorized millage rate from a prior year’s reassessment? (Effective January 1, 2027) (Amends Article VII, Section 23(C))
What a YES Vote Means
Local governments can temporarily lower property tax rates and later restore them to their previously authorized maximum without voter approval.
What a NO Vote Means
Current law remains. A government that lowers its millage may lose some ability to return to the previous maximum rate.
Who is Affected?
Homeowners
Businesses
Local governments
Taxpayers
Potential Impact
Gives local governments more flexibility in managing tax rates. Supporters say it allows temporary tax relief without permanently reducing future revenue options. Critics say it could make future property tax increases easier.
Proposed Amendment 3: Post-Conviction Bail for Crimes Against Children
Do you support an amendment to prohibit a defendant from being released on any post-conviction bail if the defendant is convicted of an aggravated offense against a minor child? (Adds Article I, Section 18(C))
What a YES Vote Means
A person convicted of certain aggravated crimes against a minor cannot be released on bail while appealing the conviction.
What a NO Vote Means
Judges continue to follow existing laws when deciding whether someone may be released on bail after conviction.
Who is Affected?
Defendents
Crime Victims
Courts
Law enforcement
Potential Impact
People convicted of these offenses would remain in custody during the appeals process. Supporters say this increases public safety. Critics may argue it limits judicial discretion before appeals are complete.
Proposed Amendment 4: Governor Term Limits
Do you support an amendment to prohibit a person who has served more than one and one-half terms as governor from being elected as governor for any future term? (Amends Article IV, Section 3(B))
What a YES Vote Means
Anyone who has served more than one and one-half terms as governor could never run for governor again.
What a NO Vote Means
Current constitutional term-limit rules stay in place–two terms consecutively, but can serve an unlimited amount of terms as long as they are not consectutive.
Who is Affected?
Future Governors
Voters
Potential Impact
Creates a lifetime limit for governors who exceed one and one-half terms, increasing leadership turnover while limiting future voter choices.
Proposed Amendment 5: State Retirement Debt
Do you support an amendment to authorize a state retirement system to apply any nonrecurring state monies it receives to any of its unfunded accrued liability rather than requiring application to its oldest unfunded accrued liability? (AmendsArticle VII, Section 10(D)(2)(b)(iii))
What a YES Vote Means
State retirement systems can decide which unfunded pension debt to pay first when receiving extra one-time state money.
What a NO Vote Means
Retirement systems must continue paying their oldest debt first.
Who is Affected?
State retirement systems
Retirees
Taxpayers
Potential Impact
Gives retirement systems more flexibility in managing pension debt. Supporters say it allows smarter financial planning; critics may prefer keeping the current repayment rules.
Proposed Amendment 6: Additional Property Tax Exemption for Seniors
Do you support an amendment to authorize parishes and municipalities to extend an additional property tax exemption for property subject to the homestead exemption that is owned and occupied by a person who is at least sixty-five years of age and who qualifies for the special assessment level? (Effective January 1, 2028) (Adds Article VII, Section 21(P))
What a YES Vote Means
Local governments may choose to offer an additional property tax exemption to qualifying homeowners age 65 and older.
What a NO Vote Means
Local governments cannot offer this new exemption.
Who is Affected?
Senior homeowners
Local governments
Taxpayers
Potential Impact
Eligible seniors could pay less in property taxes if their parish or municipality adopts the exemption. Local governments choosing to offer it may collect less tax revenue.
Proposed Amendment 7: Drinking Water Service Lines
Do you support an amendment to allow for the use of public funds by a political subdivision for the purpose of identifying, inventorying, removing or replacing drinking water utility service lines made of or affected by materials as specified or prescribed by the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements of the United States Environmental Protection Agency, promulgated October 30, 2024, or subsequent promulgation, on property owned by utility customers? (Amends Article VII, Section 14)
What a YES Vote Means
Public funds can be used to identify, remove, and replace hazardous drinking water service lines—even on private property.
What a NO Vote Means
Public funds can continue to be used on public water infrastructure,but cannot be used to remove or replace hazardous service lines on private property.
Who is Affected?
Homeowners
Renters
Water Utilities
Local governments
Potential Impact
Could speed up the replacement of lead and other hazardous water pipes, improving drinking water safety. May require additional public spending for infrastructure improvements.
Proposed Amendment 8: Property and Foreign Adversaries
Do you support an amendment to prohibit expropriation of property by a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary? (Amends Article I, Section 4(B)(4))
What a YES Vote Means
A company owned, controlled, or directed by a foreign adversary, (even partially, or without majority ownership) could not use Louisiana’s private expropriation laws to force the sale of someone’s property.
What a NO Vote Means
No new constitutional prohibition would be added.
Who is Affected?
Property owners
Government entities
Potential Impact
Adds a constitutional restriction related to property rights and foreign adversaries. Because expropriation by foreign adversaries is uncommon, the practical impact may be limited unless such situations arise.
Proposed Amendment 9: Income Limit for Senior Property Tax Assessment Freeze
Do you support an amendment to increase the maximum amount of income a person may receive and still qualify for the special assessment level for residential property receiving the homestead exemption? (Effective January 1, 2027) (Amends Article VII, Section 18(G)(1)(a)(ii))
What a YES Vote Means
Raises the income limit from $100,000 to $150,000 for seniors to qualify for Louisiana’s special assessment level, which keeps property taxes from increasing because of higher property values.
What a NO Vote Means
The current income limit stays at $100,000.
Who is Affected?
Senior homeowners
Local governments
Potential Impact
More older homeowners may qualify for property tax protection, making it easier to remain in their homes as property values rise. Local governments could collect less property tax revenue from eligible properties.
Proposed Amendment 10: Tax Exemptions for Rehabilitated Blighted Properties
Do you support an amendment to allow property tax exemptions for blighted or derelict properties that have been rehabilitated, and to require the legislature to enact laws providing for administration of these exemptions? (Effective January 1, 2027) (Adds Article VII, Section 21(P))
What a YES Vote Means
Creates an optional property tax exemption for rehabilitated blighted or derelict property, with the Legislature required to define eligible property, set the exemption’s length, and establish rules for local governments to administer it.
What a NO Vote Means
The Legislature would not be constitutionally required to do this.
Who is Affected?
Property owners
Developers
Neighborhoods
Local governments
Potential Impact
May encourage investment in abandoned or deteriorating properties, helping revitalize neighborhoods. Local governments could receive less property tax revenue from qualifying properties during the exemption period.