Voter turnout in Saturday’s election exceeded expectations, reaching 21%, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office. While still less than half of November’s participation, the numbers were higher than predicted for an off-cycle election, demonstrating that Louisianans remain engaged in shaping the state’s future.
Governor Jeff Landry had anticipated a turnout between 12% and 18%, a sentiment he shared in a White House meeting caught on a hot mic. However, political analyst Jeff Crouere noted the higher-than-expected turnout signals that voters took notice of the ballot issues.
Despite this engagement, all four proposed constitutional amendments were defeated. While some have pointed to opposition efforts and voter confusion as reasons for the measures’ failure, the broader takeaway is that constitutional amendments can be a tough sell without clear messaging. Pollster Silas Lee observed that many voters struggled to grasp the specific impact of the proposals.
“There was a lot of activity on the ground and other initiatives that, one, informed voters and two, left voters confused because the amendments did not clearly specify how they would accomplish their goals,” Lee explained.
Interestingly, opposition to the amendments cut across party lines. Among those who showed up to vote, 37% were Democrats and 35% were Republicans, but neither group strongly backed the reforms. Even in conservative strongholds—parishes that overwhelmingly supported President Trump—the amendments failed to gain traction.
The setback, however, does not mark the end of the road for Governor Landry’s policy agenda. With the legislative session just weeks away, conservatives will have the opportunity to advance these reforms through the legislative process rather than through constitutional amendments.
“Maybe they can do it just through legislation, as opposed to amending the constitution,” said Crouere. “With the session about to start, this could change the type of session we’re going to have, and I think it will.”
Louisiana’s next election is scheduled for May 3, with early voting beginning on April 19. Conservatives looking to shape the state’s future policies will have another opportunity to make their voices heard at the ballot box.