Eleanor Finch
The Louisiana Constitution is the state constitution of Louisiana and has been amended several times since its adoption in 1974. Louisiana has had 11 constitutions since 1812, with the current constitution featuring 14 articles. From 1978 to 2024, 321 proposed amendments were put to a vote, with 221 of those being adopted by voters. The most recent amendments were approved on December 7, 2024, when four constitutional amendments were passed. Louisiana's constitution can be amended through a legislative process or a state constitutional convention, both of which require voter approval.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of times the current constitution has been amended | 221 out of 321 proposed amendments (68.84%) were adopted by voters between 1978 and 2024 |
| Number of times the U.S. Constitution has been amended | 27 |
| Number of constitutions Louisiana has had | 11 |
| Number of amendments proposed in 2025 | 4 |
| Number of amendments proposed in 2024 | 4 |
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What You'll Learn
Louisiana's 1974 constitution has been amended 221 times since 1978
Louisiana's current constitution, adopted in 1974, has been amended 221 times since 1978. This averages out to more than three amendments per year. The state constitution outlines a state's framework for governance, including the powers, structure, and limitations of the state government, individual and civil rights, and other matters.
The Louisiana Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Louisiana requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments. A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one session of the Louisiana State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 70 votes in the Louisiana House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Louisiana State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
Louisiana's constitution has 14 articles, including "Declaration of Rights," "Distribution of Powers," "Legislative Branch," and "Executive Branch." The state has had 11 constitutions in total, with the current constitution featuring 14 articles. From 1978 through 2024, 321 proposed amendments have been on the ballot, with 221 (68.84%) approved by voters. The most recent amendments to the Louisiana Constitution were approved on December 7, 2024, when voters approved four constitutional amendments.
Louisiana's constitution has been amended more frequently than most other states. In comparison, the U.S. Constitution has only been amended 27 times, with only 17 changes since 1791. Louisiana's constitution has been amended more than three to four times per year on average, while constitutions in states like Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois, and Vermont are amended only once every three to four years.
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Amendments require a simple majority vote
Louisiana has had 11 constitutions since 1812, with the current constitution being adopted in 1974. This constitution has been amended several times, with 321 proposed amendments on the ballot between 1978 and 2024, of which 221 were approved by voters. The Louisiana Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention.
Amendments to the Louisiana Constitution require a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for approval. This means that a majority of voters who cast ballots in the election must approve the amendment for it to pass. This is a relatively common method for amending state constitutions, and it allows for direct voter participation in the amendment process. The simple majority vote requirement makes it easier to amend the constitution compared to other methods that require a supermajority or a more complex process.
The process of amending the Louisiana Constitution typically involves several steps. First, a proposed amendment is introduced, either through the legislative process or by a state constitutional convention. The legislative process involves the state legislature referring constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide. According to Article XII, a two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required in the Louisiana State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. This amounts to a minimum of 70 votes in the Louisiana House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Louisiana State Senate. On the other hand, a state constitutional convention can also propose amendments, which are then referred to the ballot for voter approval.
Once an amendment is on the ballot, it is then put to a vote by the citizens of Louisiana. The voters decide whether to approve or reject the proposed amendment. If a simple majority of voters approve the amendment, it is adopted and becomes part of the Louisiana Constitution. This direct voter participation in the amendment process ensures that the citizens of Louisiana have a say in shaping their state's constitution.
The frequency of amendments to the Louisiana Constitution is notable. With over 300 proposed amendments on the ballot in recent decades, the state has amended its constitution more than three to four times per year on average. This frequent amendment process allows for the constitution to be responsive to the changing needs and preferences of the state's citizens. However, it also highlights the fluid nature of the constitution and the potential for rapid or significant changes to the state's foundational document.
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Amendments can be proposed by the state legislature
Louisiana has had 11 constitutions since 1812, with the current state constitution being adopted in 1974. This constitution has been amended several times, with 321 proposed amendments on the ballot between 1978 and 2024, of which 221 (68.84%) were adopted by voters.
Amendments to the Louisiana Constitution can be proposed by the state legislature through a legislative process. This involves the state Legislature referring constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide upon. A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one session of the Louisiana State Legislature for a constitutional amendment to be placed on the ballot. This amounts to a minimum of 70 votes in the Louisiana House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Louisiana State Senate. It's important to note that amendments don't require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
The legislative process allows for frequent amendments to the constitution, which has been a characteristic of Louisiana's constitutional history. The state has changed constitutions for various political reasons, and citizens are accustomed to regular voting on new additions to the state constitution.
The Louisiana Legislature plays a crucial role in proposing and enacting constitutional amendments. For instance, on March 29, 2025, voters in Louisiana considered four constitutional amendments, including the "Louisiana Legislative Authority to Determine Crimes for Trying Juveniles as Adults Amendment" and the "Louisiana Use Earliest Election Dates for Filling Judicial Vacancies Amendment." These amendments were proposed by the state legislature and referred to the ballot for voter approval.
The state legislature's ability to propose amendments provides flexibility and responsiveness to the needs and desires of the people of Louisiana. It empowers the legislature to address issues that may arise between full-scale constitutional conventions, ensuring that the constitution remains adaptable to changing circumstances.
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![Amendments to the Constitution of the State of Louisiana, Adopted by the Electors of the State of Louisiana at the Congressional Elections Held in 1914 and 1916. 1914-1916. (1917) [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61FbOFgXaEL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
Louisiana has had 11 constitutions
The Louisiana Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. A legislative process involves the state legislature referring constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide. A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one session of the Louisiana State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. This amounts to a minimum of 70 votes in the Louisiana House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Louisiana State Senate. Amendments can be referred to the ballot in odd-numbered and even-numbered years and do not require the governor's signature.
A state constitutional convention, on the other hand, involves the state legislature providing for the calling of a constitutional convention by law enacted by two-thirds of the members of each chamber of the legislature. Conventions have historically played a significant role in amending state constitutions, but their frequency has decreased in recent decades. Nevertheless, they continue to offer a path for amending state constitutions.
From 1978 to 2024, 321 proposed amendments have been on the ballot in Louisiana, and 221 (68.84%) were adopted by voters. The most recent amendments were approved on December 7, 2024, when voters approved four constitutional amendments. Louisiana voters have also recently voted to amend their constitution to require unanimous verdicts for future felony convictions, in line with the Sixth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Louisiana's constitution has been amended more frequently than most other states, with amendments occurring more than three to four times per year on average. This frequency of amendment reflects the state's dynamic political landscape and the citizens' engagement in shaping their governance.
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The current constitution has 14 articles
The current Louisiana Constitution, adopted in 1974, has been amended several times. Louisiana has had 11 constitutions since 1812, and the current constitution is the 11th. It consists of 14 articles, including the "Declaration of Rights", "Distribution of Powers", and "Legislative Branch", among others.
Article 1, entitled "Declaration of Rights", consists of 27 sections outlining the rights of Louisiana citizens. Article 2, "Distribution of Powers", details the distribution of governmental powers across the legislative, executive, and judicial branches. The "Legislative Branch" is covered in Article 3, which establishes the state legislature as the law-making body. Article 4, the "Executive Branch", establishes the executive department and outlines the duties of the Louisiana Governor.
Article 12 of the Louisiana Constitution allows the state legislature to refer constitutional amendments to voters for a decision. A two-thirds vote (66.67%) is required during a session of the Louisiana State Legislature to place an amendment on the ballot. Amendments can be referred to the ballot in odd-numbered and even-numbered years. Louisiana requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments. From 1978 to 2024, 321 proposed amendments were on the ballot, with 221 (68.84%) being adopted by voters.
Louisiana's constitution has been amended more frequently than most other states, with amendments occurring more than three to four times per year on average. The state's constitution can be amended through a legislative process or a state constitutional convention, both of which require voter approval. The most recent amendments to the Louisiana Constitution were approved by voters on December 7, 2024, with four new constitutional amendments being adopted.
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Frequently asked questions
The current Louisiana Constitution, adopted in 1974, has been amended 221 times as of 2024, with 321 proposed amendments having been on the ballot.
The Louisiana Constitution is amended more than three to four times per year on average. Louisiana citizens are accustomed to almost constant voting on new additions to the state constitution.
The Louisiana Constitution provides two mechanisms for amending the state's constitution: a legislative process and a state constitutional convention. Amendments require a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve. A two-thirds (66.67%) vote during one session of the Louisiana State Legislature is required to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot.
On March 29, 2025, four constitutional amendments were on the ballot in Louisiana, including the "Louisiana Legislative Authority to Determine Crimes for Trying Juveniles as Adults Amendment" and the "Louisiana Use Earliest Election Dates for Filling Judicial Vacancies Amendment." In 2018, Louisiana voters amended the Constitution of 1974 to require all future felony convictions to be unanimous.
