NATCHITOCHES PARISH:
(Statewide below)
PW Prop. No. 1 of 3 (Library) — 8 Mills Renewal – PC – 10 Yrs.
FULL text on the ballot:
Shall the Parish of Natchitoches, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), continue to levy and collect a special tax of 8 mills on all property subject to taxation in the Parish (an estimated $3,624,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2028 and ending with the year 2037, for the purpose of acquiring, constructing, improving, renovating, maintaining and/or operating public libraries in the Parish, including automation and other equipment, library materials and furnishings therefor?
PW Prop. No. 2 of 3 (Health Unit) — 3 Mills Ext. & Reded. – PC – 10 Yrs.
FULL text on the ballot:
Shall the Parish of Natchitoches, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), continue to levy and collect a special tax of 3 mills (the “Tax”) on all property subject to taxation in the Parish (an estimated $1,359,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the Tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2028 and ending with the year 2037, with the proceeds of the Tax heretofore or hereafter collected to be used for the purposes of constructing, improving, maintaining, and operating public health units in the Parish, and for any other lawful purpose of the Parish?
PW Prop. No. 3 of 3 (Public Buildings) — 3 Mills Renewal – PC – 10 Yrs.
FULL text on the ballot:
Shall the Parish of Natchitoches, State of Louisiana (the “Parish”), continue to levy and collect a special tax of 3 mills on all property subject to taxation in the Parish (an estimated $1,359,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2028 and ending with the year 2037, for the purpose of maintaining and operating public buildings in the Parish?
Road Dist. No. 40 — 5 Mills Renewal – PC – 10 Yrs.
FULL text on the ballot:
Shall Road District No. 40 of the Parish of Natchitoches, State of Louisiana (the “District”), continue to levy and collect a special tax of 5 mills on all property subject to taxation in the District (an estimated $1,514,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning with the year 2028 and ending with the year 2037, for the purpose of constructing, improving and maintaining public roads and highways in the District?
Village of Goldonna — 1% S&U Tax – M&BOA – 10 Yrs.
FULL text on the ballot:
Shall the Village of Goldonna, State of Louisiana (the “Village”), be authorized to levy and collect a 1% sales and use tax (the “Tax”) in accordance with Louisiana law (an estimated $25,000 reasonably expected at this time to be collected from the levy of the Tax for an entire year), for a period of 10 years, beginning July 1, 2026, with the proceeds of the Tax (after paying the reasonable and necessary expenses of collecting and administering the Tax) to be dedicated and used for maintaining, repairing, improving, and equipping of the Village Community Center, previously known as the Goldonna Elementary-Junior High School?
STATEWIDE:
Louisiana voters will head to the polls on May 16 to consider five proposed amendments to the state constitution. These proposals, passed during the 2025 regular legislative session, cover a range of issues including civil service protections, school district creation, educator compensation, and judicial retirement ages.
To be enacted, each amendment must receive a majority vote at the polls. Two of the five proposals seek to adjust Article VII, the “money section” of the constitution, which remains the most frequently amended portion of the document.
The following is a summary of the five amendments appearing on the ballot:
Amendment 1: Civil Service Reclassification This amendment would allow the Louisiana Legislature to remove specific state government positions from the classified civil service system through state law. Currently, such changes require approval from the State Civil Service Commission. Supporters argue this would provide agencies with the flexibility to manage workers like the private sector, while opponents fear it could lead to increased political patronage and corruption.
Amendment 2: St. George Community School System Voters are asked to authorize the creation of the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge Parish, separating it from the existing parishwide district. If approved, the new district would begin operations in July 2027 with the same authority as other parish school districts. Proponents believe a smaller district will increase local ownership and oversight, whereas opponents argue the fragmentation will lead to increased administrative costs and further segregation.
Amendment 3: Teacher Pay and Retirement Debt This proposal seeks to dissolve three education trust funds—containing approximately $2 billion—to pay down a portion of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana debt. The resulting savings in annual retirement payments would be used to fund a permanent $2,250 raise for teachers and a $1,125 raise for support staff. Supporters note the maneuver would save the state an estimated $1 billion in interest over time, while opponents express concern over the loss of a protected, perpetual revenue stream for education programs.
Amendment 4: Business Inventory Property Taxes Amendment 4 would grant local governments the authority to reduce or eliminate property taxes on business inventory. Parishes that choose to permanently exempt inventory before July 2027 would be eligible for a one-time state incentive payment ranging from $500,000 to $15 million. Supporters argue the tax makes Louisiana uncompetitive for economic development, while opponents caution that losing this revenue could create financial gaps for essential local services like law enforcement and schools.
Amendment 5: Judicial Retirement Age The final amendment on the ballot proposes raising the mandatory retirement age for Louisiana judges from 70 to 75. Under the proposal, a judge who turns 75 while in office would be permitted to complete their current term. Proponents argue the change accounts for increased life expectancy and preserves institutional knowledge, while opponents contend that an age limit is necessary to maintain public confidence in the judiciary.