Louisiana Voters to Decide Lifetime Term Limit for Governors as Early Voting Opens October 20
LOUISIANA — Voters statewide will decide Amendment 4 in the November 3 midterm election: whether to replace the current limit of two consecutive terms for governor with a lifetime limit. Under the schedule published by the Secretary of State's office, early voting runs October 20 through October 27, excluding Sunday, October 25, from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at designated early voting sites in each parish.
The ballot asks: "Do you support an amendment to prohibit a person who has served more than one and one-half terms as governor from being elected as governor for any future term?" Under the current constitution, the cap applies only to consecutive service: a governor who has served two straight terms is barred from the next term but may run again after time out of office. Former governors John Bel Edwards and Bobby Jindal, each of whom served two terms, could run again under current rules; if the amendment passes, anyone who has served more than one and one-half terms could never be elected governor again.
The measure began as House Bill 225, sponsored by State Representative Mike Bayham with Representative Mandie Landry as co-author. It passed the House 73-25 and the Senate 28-10, which placed the constitutional proposal before voters.
Supporters say a lifetime limit brings new people and fresh perspective to the office; opponents say voters themselves should decide whom to elect. According to the voter guide published by the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, nine other states already impose lifetime term limits on their governors. The amendment requires a majority of voters statewide to take effect. (GSM, based on the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana voter guide and state legislative records)
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Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图：路易斯安那州议会大厦（资料图）。照片：Wikimedia Commons（CC0）。Louisiana State Capitol (file photo). Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC0).
