(The Center Square) — Saturday’s election in Louisiana was focused on constitutional amendments and parish and municipal races and turnout was low in both Bossier and Caddo parishes.
Turnout for the four constitutional amendments ranged between about 5.5% to 6.2% for the two parishes. One mayoral election saw over 50% turnout, but the other races for seats didn’t come close.
That doesn’t mean the vote Saturday wasn’t consequential. The first constitutional amendment approved by voters allows the Louisiana Supreme Court to sanction a judge upon an investigation by the Judiciary Commission of Louisiana.
It also allows that the recommended sanction be instituted by the Judiciary Commission or by a majority of the Supreme Court, and for the appointment of five members of the Judiciary Commission.
Statewide turnout was 10.8% for every amendment on the ballot. They all passed as well, and this one snuck through at the lowest percentage with 53% of voters saying yes. Caddo and Bossier Parish each voted in favor of the first amendment, with Caddo also seeing a 53% approval on its own.
The second constitutional amendment requires the Louisiana Legislature to wait at least 48 hours prior to concurring in a conference committee report or amendments to a bill appropriating money.
Statewide, 66% of voters approved the amendment. In the two northwest parishes, this amendment received the most support of the four with 69% and 75% of voters respectively voting in favor.
The third initiative allows the Louisiana Legislature to extend a regular session in increments of two days up to a maximum of six days if necessary to pass a bill appropriating money.
Statewide, the vote was a tad bit closer on this amendment having 58% of voters saying ‘yes.’ Bossier and Caddo both voted over 60% in favor.
The last constitutional amendment eliminates mandatory tax sales for nonpayment of property taxes and require the Legislature to provide for such procedures by law.
It also limits the amount of penalty and interest on delinquent property taxes, and provides for the postponement of property tax payments under certain circumstances.
Statewide, 55% of voters said yes, with Caddo and Bossier both agreeing by an even higher majority percentage mark.
The only result of the two parishes to have more than 50% of voters participate was the race for mayor of the village of Rodessa in Caddo.
It wasn’t hard to hit that landmark in the small village, as it only took 66 ballots to reach 51.2%. Unaffiliated candidate Tanya Phillips won with 53% of the vote, beating out runner up Democrat David Norman.
An independent won in the other mayor race, this one in Bossier for the town of Plain Dealing. James Cook got 55% of the vote, leaving 45% for Democrat Sheila Player. Turnout was 33.5%, amounting to 181 total votes.
In Caddo, Fire District four got their 10.30 mills renewal with a 72% majority vote in favor. Turnout was 7%, amounting to 421 total votes.
Lastly, in Bossier, Benton has a new District 2 Alderman. An independent won yet again, with Tiffany Manning getting 58% of the vote. The other 42% of voters chose Democrat Demetrie Turks.
Winning this election came down to a few votes at best as turnout was only 8%, amounting to a total of just 19 votes.
