Committee advances companion bill to move constitutional amendment election date; critics warn of voter confusion

Senator Jeremy Kleinpeter said Senate Bill 2 is a companion to SB1 and ‘‘changes the date for the constitutional amendments from 04/18/2026 to 05/16/2026.’’

Representative Newell questioned whether moving the date for statewide constitutional amendments bypasses the procedure set out in Article 13 of the Louisiana Constitution, which she summarized as requiring a joint resolution, ballot language and a two-thirds vote of each chamber. Newell asked how the secretary of state could alter ballot timing given the prior joint resolutions and two-thirds votes that set the April 18 date for proposed amendments.

Kleinpeter told the committee he had received advice from counsel and that courts have previously allowed similar date changes without a two-thirds vote; he cited a 2006 precedent later in the hearing. Several public witnesses said the change is premature and risks confusing voters. Mary Anne Moschett of the League of Women Voters said last-cycle outreach and public input took many months and that ‘‘one month and two days is not enough time’’ to study and lobby maps or prepare voters for constitution-change ballots.

Sally Davis and other witnesses warned that shifting election dates close to scheduled elections could suppress turnout because precincts, vendors and outreach programs already operate on set schedules. The ACLU’s Sarah Whittington told the committee that moving the amendment date is part of a broader effort to anticipate redistricting rather than a neutral administrative step.

The committee voted to report SB2 favorable by a roll-call vote of 10 yeas and 4 nays; Representative Newell recorded her objection during the motion and the vote tally matched the SB1 vote.