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BATON ROUGE, La. (WAFB) – Voters across Louisiana headed to the polls Saturday for a statewide election that includes the state’s closed primary for U.S. Senate, along with races for the Public Service Commission, Louisiana Supreme Court, and other local offices.
Congressional races were initially scheduled to be on Saturday’s ballot, but Louisiana suspended its U.S. House primaries after a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a majority-Black congressional district. The state postponed the congressional primaries as early voting was set to begin. They are now scheduled to be held in November.
“Allowing elections to proceed under an unconstitutional map would undermine the integrity of our system and violate the rights of our voters,” Landry said. “This executive order ensures we uphold the rule of law while giving the legislature the time it needs to pass a fair and lawful congressional map.”
In the U.S. Senate race, Republican voters will choose among incumbent U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, U.S. Rep. Julia Letlow, state Treasurer John Fleming, and Mark Spencer.
Cassidy is facing a challenger who is backed by President Donald Trump. Trump has endorsed Letlow over Cassidy, an unusual move against a sitting senator. Cassidy voted to convict Trump in his second impeachment trial, stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Cassidy, a doctor, has also clashed with Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over vaccine policy, even as he provided key support for Kennedy’s confirmation.
Democratic voters will choose among Nick Albares, Gary Crockett, and Jamie Davis.
If no candidate receives at least 50% of the vote in either party’s primary, a runoff will be held June 27.
Voters are also being asked to decide on five proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution. If approved, each amendment would take effect statewide, with one proposal also requiring approval from voters in East Baton Rouge Parish.
Here’s a brief look at what’s on the ballot, according to the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana:
- Amendment 1: Would allow lawmakers to move certain state government positions in and out of the unclassified civil service system without needing approval from the State Civil Service Commission.
- Amendment 2: Would authorize creation of the St. George Community School System in East Baton Rouge Parish, giving it the same authority as other school systems. To pass, it must be approved statewide and in East Baton Rouge Parish.
- Amendment 3: Would dissolve three education trust funds and use the balances to pay down retirement debt, with savings funding a permanent $2,250 raise for teachers and $1,125 for support staff.
- Amendment 4: Would allow parishes to reduce or eliminate property taxes on business inventory, with a possible one-time state payment to local governments if they end the tax.
- Amendment 5: Would raise the mandatory retirement age for judges from 70 to 75, allowing judges to finish their current term.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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