General Election, November 6, 2018
Louisiana held its general election on November 6, 2018, deciding the office of Public Service Commissioner District 2.
Highlights
- Louisiana elects its legislature in odd years, so its November 2018 ballot centered on constitutional amendments, all 6 of which passed. The one with the widest reach ended the state's practice of convicting felony defendants by split jury verdicts.
- Amendment 2, which passed overwhelmingly, phases out a Jim Crow-era rule adopted at a post-Reconstruction constitutional convention. The change drew backing from numerous prosecutors and the state Republican Party after the legislature sent it to the ballot, and it left Oregon as the only state still allowing split guilty verdicts for felonies other than murder.
- The other amendments covered narrower ground:
- Amendment 1 bars people convicted of a felony from running for office for five years.
- Amendment 3 lets political subdivisions exchange public equipment and personnel.
- Amendment 4 ends the dedication of Transportation Trust Fund revenue to the State Police.
- Amendment 5 allows special assessments for certain homes held in trusts.
- Amendment 6 phases in property tax increases that result from reappraisal.
- The ballot also carried the first round of a special election for secretary of state, called after Tom Schedler resigned in a sexual harassment scandal. Kyle Ardoin (R), who had run the office since May, and Gwen Collins-Greenup (D) advanced to a December runoff, which Ardoin won. Public Service Commissioner Craig C. Greene (R) was re-elected to the District 2 seat without opposition.
Legislature
- House (105 seats): 39 D, 61 R, 5 other or vacant before the election, 39 D, 61 R, 5 other or vacant after; control stayed with Republicans.
- Senate (39 seats): 14 D, 25 R before the election, 14 D, 25 R after; control stayed with Republicans.
Statewide races
| Race | Winner | Others | Notes |
|---|
| Public Service Commissioner District 2 | Craig C. Greene (R) | Unopposed | |
Ballot measures
| Measure | Description | Result |
|---|
| Amendment 1 | Prohibits felons from running for office for five years | Passed (74.66% yes) |
| Amendment 2 | Requires a unanimous jury verdict for felony trials | Passed (64.35% yes) |
| Amendment 3 | Allows political subdivisions to exchange public equipment and personnel | Passed (56.03% yes) |
| Amendment 4 | Ends the dedication of revenue from the Transportation Trust Fund to state police | Passed (55.94% yes) |
| Amendment 5 | Allows special assessments for certain homes in trusts | Passed (71.5% yes) |
| Amendment 6 | Provides for a phase-in of certain property tax increases due to reappraisal | Passed (57.55% yes) |
Runoffs, December 8, 2018
Louisiana held runoffs on December 8, 2018, deciding the office of Secretary of State.
Legislature
- House (105 seats): 39 D, 61 R, 5 other or vacant before the election, 39 D, 61 R, 5 other or vacant after; control stayed with Republicans.
- Senate (39 seats): 14 D, 25 R before the election, 14 D, 25 R after; control stayed with Republicans.
Statewide races