Dr. JC Richardson, Pastor of Wesley UMC and Together Baton Rouge/Together LA leader, speaks at press conference before the defeat of four proposed constitutional amendments, including Amendment 3 which would have tried more children as adults.

After Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry's failed attempt to rewrite the constitution to change state tax and budget laws in 2024, the legislature voted to put his four proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot.  Reports indicated that an election in March was chosen to take advantage of projected low turnout (only 12%).  Together Louisiana leaders opposed all four measures but focused their efforts on Amendment 3 which, if passed, would give legislators the power to expand the number of crimes for which children younger than 17 could be tried as adults.  When legislators were pressed on what those crimes would be, their response was "just trust us"! 

Defying expectations, more than 21% of the electorate turned out to vote, soundly rejecting all four measures.  In areas Together Louisiana focused their outreach, both rural and urban, Amendment 3 overwhelmingly failed.

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In a parallel effort, Together Louisiana led the charge to ensure Black representation in Congress after the legislature failed to draw districting maps that reflected recent demographic changes (increases in the Black population accompanied by decreases in the White population.  TLA leaders became part of a lawsuit challenging both federal and state maps, with five of the six lead plaintiffs coming from Together LA institutions.  In response to the lawsuit, a new congressional map was drawn that takes into account the demographic changes, and the state now has two Black congressional representatives! 

The fight, however, is not over.  Though the Supreme Court allowed the maps to stand after they were challenged, it has not yet decided on the merits of the case.  A final decision is expected in June.

Political Foes, Landry Allies United Against Amendments, The Advocate [pdf]