VOTE NO ON ALL
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VOTE NO ON ALL ✘
During the 2024 Special “Tax” Session, Louisiana lawmakers pushed amendments that undermine public power and hand control to politicians and the wealthy. Starting March 15th, voters have the chance to reject this power grab by voting NO on all four amendments. Our state constitution is meant to protect us from the whims of the legislature, but they want to rewrite the rules to expand mass incarceration and take away local control. With a low-turnout election expected, they’re counting on us to be distracted by Mardi Gras and the Super Bowl.
If we don’t choose, we lose — so let’s prove them wrong.
Show up, show out, and vote NO to protect our rights.
AMENDMENT #1
Shady Specialty Courts
“Do you support an amendment granting the Louisiana Supreme Court jurisdiction to discipline out of-state lawyers for unethical legal practices in the state of Louisiana, and to grant the legislature the authority to establish trial courts of limited and specialized jurisdiction?”
Vote "No" on 1: Don’t let politicians hijack our courts. This amendment gives the Legislature a blank check to create new courts outside our current system—staffed by unelected judges with unchecked power over bonds, probation, and more. It’s a dangerous power grab that could lead to a separate, unaccountable legal system.
They did it in Mississippi, now they are trying to do it in Louisiana.
A Trojan horse – The amendment disguises itself as a measure for disciplining out-of-state lawyers, but its real impact is far more dangerous.
Unchecked legislative power – It hands the Louisiana Legislature the ability to create unlimited specialized courts with no clear oversight or voter accountability.
Parallel, politicized courts – These courts could be used to serve political agendas rather than justice, covering issues like guns, carjacking, and mental health.
Unelected magistrates in control – Could allow appointed magistrates, not judges, to determine bond, probation violations, and drug testing, increasing cycles of incarceration.
A step toward a two-tier justice system – Similar to Jackson, MS, where lawmakers imposed a separate, state-controlled court system that stripped local control.
If CA 1 passes but CA 3 doesn’t – The legislature still gets unchecked power to expand these courts, leaving the public without a say.
Threat to judicial fairness – Could drain resources from existing courts, worsening delays and inefficiencies.
Bottom Line: This amendment opens the door to backroom courts and political favoritism. Vote NO on CA 1.
“It reminds me of apartheid. They are looking to colonize Jackson. Not only in terms of putting their military force over Jackson but also dictating who has province over decision-making. To be able to make decisions that dictate what people in Jackson should have the ability to dictate is not only colonialist but racist. It is plantation politics at its finest.”
— Jackson Mayor, Chokwe Antar Lumumba
AMENDMENT #2
Tax Cuts for the Rich, Higher Costs for the Rest of Us
“Do you support an amendment to revise Article VII of the Constitution of Louisiana including revisions to lower the maximum rate of income tax, increase income tax deductions for citizens over sixty-five, provide for a government growth limit, modify operation of certain constitutional funds, provide for property tax exemptions retaining the homestead exemption and exemption for religious organizations, provide a permanent teacher salary increase by requiring a surplus payment to teacher retirement debt, and make other modifications?”
Vote "No" on 2: This amendment slashes income taxes for the wealthy, leaving the state scrambling to fill the gap—most likely with higher sales taxes and new taxes on essentials. It’s a giveaway to the rich that will drain Louisiana’s future.
Packed with distractions – Promises a permanent teacher salary increase but buries harmful tax policies underneath.
A giveaway to the wealthy – Lowers the maximum income tax rate, benefiting high earners and corporations the most.
Higher sales taxes coming – Lost revenue will be made up elsewhere—usually through higher sales taxes that hit working people hardest.
Short-sighted budgeting – Allows the state to drain financial reserves meant for long-term stability, weakening Louisiana’s ability to fund education, roads, and healthcare.
Artificial “growth limit” – Restricts how much legislators can budget for ongoing programs, even when funding is available, potentially leading to cuts in public schools and healthcare.
A setup for future tax hikes on everyday people – When the wealthy get tax breaks, working families pay the price.
Bottom Line: This amendment gives tax breaks to the wealthy while leaving the rest of us with the bill. Vote NO on CA 2.
AMENDMENT #3
Sending Kids to Adult Prison
“Do you support an amendment to provide the legislature the authority to determine which felony crimes, when committed by a person under the age of seventeen, may be transferred for criminal prosecution as an adult?”
Vote "No" on 3: LA already allows kids as young as 14 to be tried as adults and sentenced to life without parole for serious crimes. This amendment would go even further— giving the Legislature a blank check to create new laws that expand mandatory minimum sentences for minors, eliminate parole options, and force children onto adult probation where violations could easily land them in prison for decades.
Expands mass incarceration – Gives politicians unchecked power to decide which kids get prosecuted as adults, not judges.
Expands adult prosecution beyond serious crimes – Louisiana already allows 15- and 16-year-olds—and, in some cases, even 14-year-olds—to be charged as adults for certain violent or repeat drug offenses. This amendment would give legislators the power to add any felony to that list with just a two-thirds vote.
Longer sentences, harsher punishment – A child who might have served 5 years in the juvenile system could now face decades behind bars.
A prison labor pipeline – Louisiana profits off of prison labor, and this amendment expands the captive workforce by targeting youth.
Permanent records, stolen futures – A teenage mistake could become a lifelong punishment, blocking access to jobs, housing, and education.
Racial disparities will worsen – Black and Brown youth are already disproportionately targeted; this amendment will expand those injustices.
Undermines rehabilitation – Kids in adult prisons face more abuse, fewer educational opportunities, and higher recidivism rates.
Bottom Line: This is about control, not justice. Louisiana’s kids deserve investment, not incarceration. Vote NO on CA 3.
AMENDMENT #4
Tinkering with Judicial Elections
“Do you support an amendment to provide for the use of the earliest election date to fill judicial vacancies?”
Vote "No" on 4: The law already allows us to fill judicial vacancies or new judgeships on the "next available" election date. There’s no need to complicate a system that works. Don’t let politicians change what’s already functioning just fine.
We don’t need this – Current law already allows judicial vacancies and new judgeships to be filled in the next available election.
Carves out an exception for shady specialty courts – If CA 1 passes, these courts could be given the power to redesign elections on their own terms.
Unnecessary meddling – This amendment doesn’t solve a real problem—it just complicates the system.
Bottom Line: We don’t need politicians messing with our elections or creating loopholes for their hand-picked judges. Vote NO on CA 4.
