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Louisiana Appointment and Qualifications of Registrars of Voters, Amendment 1 (2016)
| Louisiana Amendment 1 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 8, 2016 | |
| Topic Administration of government | |
Status Approved | |
| Type Constitutional amendment | Origin State legislature |
| 2016 measures |
|---|
 |
| November 8 |
| Amendment 1 |
Amendment 2  |
| Amendment 3 |
| Amendment 4 |
| Amendment 5 |
| Amendment 6 |
| Polls |
| Voter guides |
| Campaign finance |
| Signature costs |
The Louisiana Appointment and Qualifications of Registrars of Voters, Amendment 1, was on the November 8, 2016, ballot in Louisiana as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment. It was approved.
| A "yes" vote favored requiring that the qualifications and appointment of each Parish's Registrar of Voters is provided by law by adding language to the state constitution. |
| A "no" vote opposed requiring that the qualifications and appointment of each Parish's Registrar of Voters is provided by law, and no changes would be made to the state constitution. |
Election results
| Amendment 1 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 1,330,230 | 72.62% | ||
| No | 501,604 | 27.38% | ||
- Election results from Louisiana Secretary of State
Text of measure
Ballot language
The following language appeared on the ballot:[1]
| “ |
Do you support an amendment to provide that the manner of appointment for the registrar of voters in each parish is as provided by law and to require the qualifications of the registrar to be provided by law?[2] |
” |
Constitutional changes
- See also: Louisiana Constitution
The measure was designed to amend Article XI, Section V of the Louisiana Constitution. The following text was added (indicated with Underlined text) and removed (indicated with Strike out text) by the measure's approval:[1]
| Changes to Article XI, Section V of Louisiana Constitution | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| §5. Registrar of Voters
Section 5. The governing authority of each parish shall appoint a registrar of voters, | |||||
Support
Supporters
Legislators
The following legislator sponsored House Bill 459, the amendment's corresponding legislation:[1]
- Rep. Michael Danahay (D-33)
The following legislator served as an author for House Bill 459:[1]
- Sen. Michael Walsworth (R-33)
The following legislators recommended a "yes" vote for the amendment:[3]
- Rep. Walt Leger III (D-91)
Organizations
- Council for a Better Louisiana[4]
Arguments in favor
Official arguments
The following argument was published in the PAR Guide to the 2016 constitutional amendments:[5]
| “ |
As technology continues to evolve, registrars of voters will need to have the skills and aptitude necessary to utilize innovative tools and instruments on the job. Voting and voter registration is becoming increasingly digital in nature and we must ensure that individuals in these positions can maintain voter registration lists, register voters appropriately, appoint and train staff and volunteers, and help conduct early voting. Some parishes have not posted jobs appropriately or have used nepotism to fill openings. These qualification requirements will help shake Louisiana’s historic reputation of patronage and incompetence. Requirements outlined in the legislation are not arbitrary. The subcommittee created by House Resolution 94 during the 2015 regular session received input from the Secretary of State, the commissioner of elections, the attorney general, the Louisiana Registrars of Voters Association, the Police Jury Association of Louisiana, and others in order to produce recommendations that were fair and fitting for the duties of registrars of voters and the expectations of local governing authorities responsible during the hiring process. The package of legislation was unopposed.[2] |
” |
Opposition
Opponents
The following legislators in the Louisiana House of Representatives voted "nea" during House Bill 459's final reading:[1]
- Rep. John Bagneris (D-100)
- Rep. Valarie Hodges (R-64)
- Rep. Barbara Norton (D-3)
Arguments against
Official arguments
The following argument was published in the PAR Guide to the 2016 Constitutional Amendments:[5]
| “ |
Although the Secretary of State and other stakeholders were part of the dialogue when the subcommittee recommendations were crafted, work requirements imposed by the new legislation tied to the amendment may still set the bar too high and prevent competent and capable individuals from serving as parish registrars. This problem may be particularly problematic in rural parishes where registrar offices consist of just the registrar and one assistant; because education and work requirements are lower for those having previously served in a registrar’s office, an assistant may have a serious and unfair advantage when a sitting registrar retires. This amendment may be unnecessary as registrars already have access to appropriate training after being appointed to the position. This training program is fairly intensive, requiring a minimum of 12 courses of 12 hours in length within five years, maintenance of a yearly rating of “excellent,” and work experience requirements. Registrars and staff are schooled in strategies necessary to perform their duties effectively. If these educational standards are not met within a five-year time frame, the registrar will lose certification and the additional pay associated with it.[2] |
” |
Media editorials
Support
- Houma Today adopted a position of support for Amendment 1 for its 2016 amendment recommendations.[6]
- The Times-Picayune wrote the following in support of Amendment 1:[7]
| “ |
State law currently has no educational or experience requirements for registrars. Considering the importance of the job and the growing use of technology, it seems wise to set basic qualifications. The Legislature included a pretty broad range of requirements in the companion legislation to this amendment, ranging from a bachelor's degree and two years of professional work experience to five years of full-time employment in a registrar's office. Potential registrars have to only meet one of the requirements. The legislation also mandates that parish officials notify residents about the opening and interview applicants before choosing a new registrar. That is a sensible process. Lawmakers got input from the secretary of state, the commissioner of elections, the state registrars association and others with expertise.[2] |
” |
Opposition
Ballotpedia has not yet found any editorial board endorsements in opposition to Amendment 1. If you know of one, please email editor@ballotpedia.org.
Campaign finance
| Total campaign contributions: | |
| Support: | $0.00 |
| Opposition: | $0.00 |
As of January 19, 2017, there were no political action committees registered in support or opposition of Amendment 1.[8]
Path to the ballot
- See also: Amending the Louisiana Constitution
House Bill 459 was first introduced in the Louisiana State Legislature on March 3, 2016. The bill was approved by the Louisiana House of Representatives on April 26, 2016, and was approved by the Louisiana State Senate on May 30, 2016.[9]
House vote
April 26, 2016
| House Bill 459 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 82 | 96.47% | ||
| No | 3 | 00.04% | ||
Senate vote
May 30, 2016
| House Bill 459 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 37 | 100.00% | ||
| No | 0 | 00.00% | ||
State profile
| Demographic data for Louisiana | ||
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | U.S. | |
| Total population: | 4,668,960 | 316,515,021 |
| Land area (sq mi): | 43,204 | 3,531,905 |
| Race and ethnicity** | ||
| White: | 62.8% | 73.6% |
| Black/African American: | 32.1% | 12.6% |
| Asian: | 1.7% | 5.1% |
| Native American: | 0.6% | 0.8% |
| Pacific Islander: | 0% | 0.2% |
| Two or more: | 1.8% | 3% |
| Hispanic/Latino: | 4.7% | 17.1% |
| Education | ||
| High school graduation rate: | 83.4% | 86.7% |
| College graduation rate: | 22.5% | 29.8% |
| Income | ||
| Median household income: | $45,047 | $53,889 |
| Persons below poverty level: | 23.3% | 11.3% |
| Source: U.S. Census Bureau, "American Community Survey" (5-year estimates 2010-2015) Click here for more information on the 2020 census and here for more on its impact on the redistricting process in Louisiana. **Note: Percentages for race and ethnicity may add up to more than 100 percent because respondents may report more than one race and the Hispanic/Latino ethnicity may be selected in conjunction with any race. Read more about race and ethnicity in the census here. | ||
Presidential voting pattern
- See also: Presidential voting trends in Louisiana
Louisiana voted Republican in all seven presidential elections between 2000 and 2024.
More Louisiana coverage on Ballotpedia
- Elections in Louisiana
- United States congressional delegations from Louisiana
- Public policy in Louisiana
- Endorsers in Louisiana
- Louisiana fact checks
- More...
Recent news
The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms Louisiana Amendment 1 registrar of voters 2016. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.
Related measures
No measures concerning Administration of government are certified for the ballot in 2016. They will be listed below if and when any are certified for the ballot.
See also
- Louisiana 2016 ballot measures
- 2016 ballot measures
- Louisiana Legislature
- List of Louisiana ballot measures
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Louisiana Secretary of State, "2016 PROPOSED CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENTS November 8, 2016 Election," accessed July 25, 2016
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source. Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid<ref>tag; name "quotedisclaimer" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Walt Leger, "MY RECOMMENDATIONS FOR NOV. 8," accessed November 3, 2016
- ↑ Council for a Better Louisiana, "CABL’s Recommendations on the 2016 Constitutional Amendments for the November 8 Ballot," October 21, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, "PAR Guide to the 2016 Constitutional Amendments," accessed November 3, 2016
- ↑ Houma Today, "La. constitutional amendments: our recommendations for Tuesday's ballot," November 3, 2016
- ↑ The Times-Picayune, "Our recommendations on Louisiana's constitutional amendments: Editorial," October 28, 2016
- ↑ Louisiana Ethics Administration Program, "Louisiana Political Action Committees," accessed January 19, 2016
- ↑ Louisiana State Legislature, "HB 459," accessed July 25, 2016
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