With Louisiana elections approaching, voters will head to the polls Saturday, May 16, to decide on several constitutional amendments and other races.

Following the ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, Gov. Jeff Landry suspended the primary and runoff elections for U.S. House candidates. Other races and ballot measures will still appear on the ballot.

Five proposed constitutional amendments will appear before voters:

Amendment 1 would allow the Legislature to add or remove positions from the state civil service system. 

Supporters say the measure would give state agencies more flexibility and reduce government inefficiency, while opponents argue it could weaken protections against political favoritism.

Amendment 2 would give the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge Parish the same authority as parish school systems.

People in support say the measure would provide more local control over schools. Critics argue it could increase segregation and reduce resources for the existing school system.

Amendment 3 would use savings from retirement debt payments to fund pay raises for teachers and school support staff.

Supporters say the proposal could save the state money while increasing education funding, while others say the funds were intended to provide long-term financial support for education programs.

Amendment 4 would allow parishes to reduce or eliminate property taxes on business inventory. 

Some say the change could help attract businesses and improve Louisiana’s economy. Opponents think the tax revenue helps fund schools, roads and other local services.

Amendment 5 would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75. 

The argument for it is that experienced judges should be allowed to continue serving, while some say age limits help ensure judges remain effective in office.

Three Democratic candidates are running for U.S. Senate: 

• Nick Albares

• • • Albares, a New Orleans native, is campaigning on expanding health care coverage, improving public and behavioral health,  economic security and combating corruption.

• Jamie Davis

• • • Davis, a crop farmer and bass fisherman, prioritizes affordability, health care, education and the rule of law.

• Gary Crockett

• • Crockett, a U.S. Navy veteran, is emphasizing protection of Medicare and Medicaid, defending SNAP benefits, supporting rural hospitals, lowering insurance costs, aiding businesses and veterans and promoting fiscal responsibility.

Four Republican candidates are also running for Senate: 

• Bill Cassidy

• • • Cassidy, the incumbent U.S. senator and former U.S. representative for Louisiana’s 6th District, is focusing on education, job creation, health care, border security, disaster recovery, tax cuts, veterans and pro-life policies.

• John Fleming

• • • Fleming, Louisiana state treasurer and former U.S. representative for Louisiana’s 4th District, is campaigning on border security, economic conservatism, pro-life positions and opposition to vaccine mandates.

• Julia Letlow

• • • Letlow, U.S. representative for Louisiana’s 5th District, is focusing on border and election security, energy and jobs, law enforcement, educational freedom, protections for women’s sports, pro-life policies and gun rights.

• Mark Spencer

• • Spencer is campaigning on pro-life policies, support for law enforcement, deportation policy, and proposals to annex Canada, Cuba and Greenland.

In Louisiana’s 5th Congressional District, 11 candidates are running:

Democratic candidates include:

• •  Jessee Fleenor
    • Focused on supporting the working class, reducing wealth inequality, regulating artificial intelligence, promoting diversity and assisting the poor.

• Larry Foy

• • • Supports affordable health care, a $15 minimum wage, education, voting rights,  congressional term limits, reproductive rights, and criminal justice reform.

• Lindsay Garcia

• • • Focused on constitutional rights, affordability, digital equity, health care, infrastructure, environmental justice, education and workforce development.

• Dan McKay

• • • Focused on rural hospitals, Medicaid protection, education, economic growth, environmental protection and job creation.

• Tania Nyman 

• • Focused on constitutional rights, election integrity, public education, Social Security, Medicare expansion, environmental protection, banning congressional stock trading and lowering college tuition.

Republican candidates include:

• Misti Cordell

• • • Former attorney general under Jeff Landry. She is focused on economic growth, public safety, border security, education, health care affordability and opposition to the “radical left.”

• Michael Echols

• • • State representative for District 14, is focused on affordability, support for Donald Trump’s foreign policy, government accountability, election integrity, pro-life policies, health care and gun rights.

• Rick Edmonds

• • • State senator, is focused on infrastructure, economic growth, religious freedom and opposition to socialism.

• Austin Magee

• • • Focused on fiscal responsibility, limited government, conservative Christian values and individual liberty.
  • Michael Mebruer 
    • Focused on tax reform, economic freedom, reduced regulation, business growth, health care and border security.

• Blake Miguez 

• • State senator and former House Republican leader, is focused on continuing his legacy as a “MAGA warrior”, election security, deportation of “violent illegal immigrants,” gun rights and a ban on ultra-processed foods.

In Louisiana’s 1st Congressional District, only two candidates are running:

• Democrat Lauren Jewett

• • • Focused on lowering insurance costs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, improving schools, congressional accountability, health care access, affordable housing, support for agriculture and coastal protection.

• Republican Rep. Steve Scalise

• • Focused on job creation, border security, health care reform, government spending cuts, reducing federal bureaucracy and public safety.