Stacey Tinsley, Bossier Press-Tribune
Early voting began today, Tuesday, Oct. 20, giving Bossier Parish residents an opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Voters will decide on a number of races including U.S. Senate race, a U.S. House race, the Bossier City marshal contest and 10 proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution.
Early voting continues through Tuesday, Oct. 27, excluding Sunday, Oct. 25. Voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. each day.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Bossier Parish residents can vote early at either of two locations: the Bossier Parish Courthouse, located at 204 Burt Blvd. on the second floor in Benton, or the former Bossier Parish Central Library building at 2206 Beckett St. in Bossier City.
Both locations will be open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. during the early voting period, which runs through Oct. 27, with no voting Sunday, Oct. 25.
Residents who have questions about voting locations or their registration can contact the Bossier Parish Registrar of Voters at 318-965-2301. Voters can also review their sample ballots and confirm their precinct through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s GeauxVote voter portal.
In the U.S. Senate race, Republican Julia Letlow is facing Democrat Jamie Davis.
In Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, which includes Bossier Parish, five candidates are listed for the U.S. House: Republicans Mike Johnson, Mike Nichols and Gordon Heslop, along with Democrats Conrad Cable and Matt Gromlich.
Johnson currently represents the district and serves as speaker of the U.S. House.
The Nov. 3 congressional contest is an open primary. If no candidate receives more than 50% of the vote, the top two candidates will advance to a Dec. 12 election.
Bossier City voters will choose between incumbent City Marshal “Jim” Whitman and challenger Brian Hammons in the Nov. 3 election.
Whitman is the current Bossier City marshal and has served in the position for years. The marshal’s office carries out court orders, serves legal documents, handles warrants and performs other duties connected to Bossier City Court.
Hammons currently serves as Bossier City Council president and represents District 1 on the City Council. He is seeking to replace Whitman as city marshal.
The race gives voters a choice between the incumbent marshal and a candidate with experience in city government and public service.
Louisiana voters will also decide whether to approve 10 proposed amendments to the state Constitution. The proposals cover property taxes, veterans’ benefits, criminal justice, gubernatorial term limits, retirement systems, drinking-water infrastructure and other matters.
Amendment 1: Property tax exemption for surviving spouses of disabled veterans
This amendment would allow the surviving spouse of a deceased veteran with a qualifying service-connected disability to transfer an additional homestead property tax exemption to another qualifying home one time.
A “yes” vote supports allowing the transfer. A “no” vote keeps the current rules in place.
Amendment 2: Local property tax rates
This proposal concerns how local taxing authorities can adjust property tax rates after property values change. It would allow a local authority to restore a rate up to a previously authorized maximum after lowering it, under the conditions established by law.
A “yes” vote supports the change. A “no” vote opposes it.
Amendment 3: Bail after certain offenses against children
This amendment would prohibit post-conviction bail for people convicted of certain aggravated offenses against minors.
A “yes” vote supports the restriction. A “no” vote opposes the change.
Amendment 4: Lifetime limit on serving as governor
This proposal would change the rules governing how many times a person may serve as Louisiana governor. It would limit a person who has served more than one and one-half terms from being elected governor again.
A “yes” vote supports the proposed limit. A “no” vote opposes it.
Amendment 5: State retirement system debt
State retirement systems have unfunded pension obligations, meaning some promised future benefits are not fully covered by money set aside.
This amendment would give the state more flexibility in applying certain one-time funds toward those obligations instead of requiring the money to go first toward the oldest unfunded debt.
A “yes” vote supports giving retirement systems that flexibility. A “no” vote keeps the existing payment-order requirement.
Amendment 6: Additional property tax relief for qualifying seniors
This proposal would allow parishes and municipalities to establish an additional property tax exemption for certain homeowners age 65 and older who qualify for the state’s special assessment level. Local voters would have to approve the exemption before it could be implemented.
A “yes” vote supports allowing the additional exemption. A “no” vote opposes the change.
Amendment 7: Public funds for certain drinking-water service lines
This amendment would allow local governments to use public funds to identify, inventory, remove or replace certain hazardous drinking-water service lines on private property.
The proposal addresses concerns about potentially hazardous materials, including lead, in pipes that carry drinking water to homes and businesses.
A “yes” vote supports allowing public funds to be used for qualifying work. A “no” vote opposes the change.
Amendment 8: Property taken by foreign adversaries
This proposal would prohibit a foreign adversary or an agent of a foreign adversary, as defined by law, from taking property through expropriation.
Expropriation generally refers to the taking of private property under legal authority.
A “yes” vote supports adding the prohibition to the Constitution. A “no” vote opposes it.
Amendment 9: Higher income limit for a special property tax assessment
Louisiana provides a special property tax assessment level for certain qualifying homeowners. This protection can help prevent the assessed value of a qualifying home from increasing beyond the amount established when the homeowner qualifies.
This amendment would raise the income limit for qualifying from $100,000 to $150,000, with future inflation adjustments beginning in 2028.
A “yes” vote supports increasing the income limit. A “no” vote keeps the current limit.
Amendment 10: Tax exemptions for rehabilitated blighted properties
This proposal would authorize property tax exemptions for qualifying blighted or neglected properties that have been rehabilitated. The Legislature would establish the rules for how the exemptions would work.
A “yes” vote supports allowing the exemptions. A “no” vote opposes the change.
Bossier Parish residents, including those in Bossier City and Haughton, should review their sample ballots before going to the polls. Local contests can vary depending on a voter’s address and district.
Voters should bring an acceptable form of identification, such as a Louisiana driver’s license or state identification card. Voters who do not have an acceptable photo ID may be able to vote by completing a voter affidavit.
Early voting continues through Tuesday, Oct. 27, excluding Sunday, Oct. 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 3, with polls open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Additional information is available through the Louisiana Secretary of State’s election website.