Early voting for the Nov. 3, 2026, election begins Tuesday, Oct. 20, with voters deciding several federal, state and local races along with 10 proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution.
Early voting will take place from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily through Tuesday, Oct. 27, excluding Sunday. Voters should bring identification when visiting the courthouse to cast their ballots.
Among the races appearing on the ballot are U.S. Senator, U.S. Representative, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner, Ward 1 Judge and Ward 1 Marshal.
Depending on where voters reside, additional races may include constables, justices of the peace, mayors, chiefs of police and aldermen in various towns and villages.
Because ballots vary by location, voters are encouraged to review their individual sample ballots at GeauxVote.combefore heading to the polls.
In addition to candidate races, Louisiana voters will consider 10 proposed constitutional amendments addressing issues ranging from property taxes and gubernatorial term limits to the right to bail and property expropriation.
The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR), a nonpartisan educational and research organization, has released its Guide to the Fall 2026 Constitutional Amendments to help voters understand the proposals.
For five decades, PAR has provided detailed analysis of proposed constitutional amendments, outlining what each measure would change and presenting arguments from both supporters and opponents.
The guide does not endorse or oppose any of the amendments. Instead, it provides voters with information to help them make their own decisions.
The 10 amendments appearing on the November ballot were approved by lawmakers during the 2025 and 2026 regular legislative sessions. Each proposal received the required two-thirds vote in both the Louisiana House and Senate to advance to voters. A simple majority of votes cast on each amendment is required for its adoption.
The proposed changes address property taxes, the right to bail, gubernatorial term limits, retirement debt, water utility lines and property expropriation rules.
Seven of the 10 proposals would modify Article VII of the Louisiana Constitution, which governs state finances and taxation.
Since Louisiana voters ratified the current constitution in 1974, they have considered 330 proposed amendments, approving 221 of them. The 10 proposals on this fall’s ballot will bring the total number considered to 340.
PAR notes that a constitution is intended to establish the fundamental principles of government, including its structure, powers and citizens’ rights, while statutory laws generally address the details of government operations.
Louisiana’s constitution, however, has continued to expand as lawmakers propose additional provisions, including measures that could otherwise be addressed through state law.
The PAR Guide to the Fall 2026 Constitutional Amendments examines all 10 proposals in the order they will appear on the ballot, providing voters with an opportunity to review the potential changes before Election Day.
For those who do not participate in early voting, Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.at regular polling locations.