Lawsuit Seeks to Block Controversial Constitutional Amendment, Citing Misleading Ballot Language

A high-stakes legal battle is underway in Louisiana as a group of attorneys seeks to block a sweeping constitutional amendment from appearing on the March 29 ballot. The lawsuit, filed in New Orleans, argues that the language presented to voters is misleading and conceals the true extent of the changes—potentially undermining fundamental protections for citizens, churches, labor unions, and local governments.

The proposed amendment, which was approved by a supermajority of state lawmakers, represents more than 100 pages of revisions to Article 7 of the Louisiana Constitution—the section governing state taxes and public funds. However, when voters head to the polls, they will be presented with only a single one-sentence summary, a move critics are calling an outright deception designed to obscure the amendment’s true impact.

A Fundamental Shift in State Power

If enacted, the amendment would drastically increase legislative control over tax revenue while limiting the autonomy of local governments. The lawsuit warns that the changes could:

• Reduce protections for churches and labor unions, leaving them vulnerable to new legislative restrictions.
• Divert or liquidate funds dedicated to education, potentially jeopardizing school budgets.
• Strip municipalities of their ability to set and control sales taxes, shifting power away from local officials and into the hands of state lawmakers.

Under Louisiana law, constitutional amendments must adhere to a single-object rule, meaning they must focus on one specific issue that voters can clearly approve or reject. The lawsuit alleges that this amendment blatantly violates that principle, bundling multiple, unrelated changes under a vague and misleading description.

State Officials Under Scrutiny

The lawsuit directly names Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry, arguing that her office is responsible for ensuring transparent and accurate ballot language. However, Landry’s office has responded that she is merely enforcing the election laws passed by the legislature.

Meanwhile, Governor Jeff Landry has come out in full support of the amendment, dismissing the legal challenge as a “political charade” and urging voters to approve the changes.

Legal Uncertainty and the Threat to Democratic Integrity

With the election just weeks away, the lawsuit could lead to an emergency court ruling. A preliminary injunction may be issued to halt or revise the ballot language before the vote. However, even if the amendment passes, the entire measure could be struck down in court after the fact, creating further instability and confusion.

As Louisiana faces one of the most consequential constitutional changes in recent history, the need for vigilance has never been greater. Voters are urged to educate themselves on the full scope of these changes before heading to the polls.

For an in-depth analysis of the amendment and its implications, visit PARLouisiana.org, where the full text and ballot language are available.

A Call for Transparency and Accountability

The integrity of Louisiana’s democracy is at stake. When fundamental constitutional changes are proposed, they must be presented with full transparency, not political manipulation. Voters deserve clarity, not confusion. With control over taxes, education, and local governance hanging in the balance, citizens must stay informed, question what they are being told, and demand accountability from their leaders.