Louisiana voters rejected all five proposed constitutional amendments on the May 16, 2026, ballot, delivering a clear defeat to measures backed by Gov. Jeff Landry and the Republican-led Legislature.

Voters turned down every amendment, which covered topics such as teacher pay raises, the creation of a new school district, civil service changes, the judicial retirement age, and business tax breaks. This marks the second consecutive year voters have rejected Landry’s slate of amendments (following a similar sweep in March 2025).

The Five Amendments (May 2026)

• Amendment 1: Changes to unclassified state civil service (lessening some employee protections).
• Amendment 2: Create a new St. George public school district in East Baton Rouge Parish with specific funding authority.
• Amendment 3: Permanent $2,250 teacher pay raise and $1,125 for support staff, funded by redirecting savings from the Teachers’ Retirement System.
• Amendment 4: Raise the mandatory retirement age for judges.
• Amendment 5: Allow local governments to reduce or eliminate certain business property taxes (e.g., on inventory).

All failed decisively. Amendment 3 (teacher pay) performed best but still lost (around 42% yes). Others saw roughly 60-65% of the votes statewide were “no”. Turnout was significant for an off-year election, with nearly 800,000 votes cast.

This outcome is seen as a major setback for Gov. Landry. As in 2025, a “No on All” sentiment prevailed, with voters reluctant to alter Louisiana’s 1974 constitution on issues involving job protections, school district creation (often viewed as secession), funding shifts, and taxes.

Teachers and school staff will not receive the proposed permanent raises; recent annual stipends may also be at risk without the amendment.

Voters also rejected all four constitutional amendments in March 2025 (averaging ~65% no), which focused on taxes/budget, courts, crime, and related issues. That was likewise viewed as a rebuke to Landry’s agenda.

This election reinforced a pattern: In low- to medium-turnout off-year votes on constitutional changes, motivated opposition blocs (often urban, Black, and Democratic) can effectively veto legislative proposals.