SHREVEPORT, La. — Voters across Caddo and Bossier parishes are heading to the polls Tuesday, with local races and propositions carrying significant implications for Northwest Louisiana government, taxes and economic development.
Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 8 p.m. Voters who are in line when polls close will still be allowed to cast their ballots.
Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry expects statewide turnout to reach between 48% and 52%, according to her office, roughly in line with recent midterm election cycles.
Turnout was 46.7% in Louisiana’s 2022 midterm election, 50.8% in 2018 and 51.5% in 2014.
Locally, thousands of voters had already participated before Election Day.
Caddo Parish recorded 24,556 early and absentee votes through the close of early voting, including 18,560 cast in person and 5,996 absentee ballots reported at that point.
Bossier Parish reported another 13,960 votes, including 11,377 in-person early votes and 2,583 absentee ballots.
Together, the two parishes had recorded 38,516 early and absentee votes at the close of the early-voting period. Additional eligible absentee ballots could still be received ahead of Election Day deadlines.
$60 million sports complex before Caddo voters
Among the most significant local questions for the business community is Caddo Parish’s proposal to issue up to $60 million in general obligation bonds for construction of a multi-sports complex.
The bonds could run for as long as 25 years at an interest rate not exceeding 7%.
According to the ballot language, the bonds would be repaid through property taxes, with no estimated increase in the first-year millage above the 1.50 mills currently being levied to pay parish general obligation bonds.
Caddo Parish has promoted the proposed facility as a potential sports-tourism asset, describing it as a multi-use complex intended to attract sporting events and visitors to the parish.
The proposition is being decided parishwide.
Downtown Shreveport voters decide DDD tax
Voters within Shreveport’s Downtown Development District are deciding whether to continue a property tax supporting the district.
The proposition would authorize a 9.04-mill property tax for 25 years, beginning in 2028 and continuing through 2052.
The tax is estimated to generate approximately $714,179 annually for the Downtown Development Authority.
Proceeds would be used for administration, operational expenses, property acquisition, projects and debt obligations benefiting the Downtown Development District.
The ballot language notes that the proposed 9.04-mill rate is 1.05 mills higher than the 7.99 mills previously authorized, with the increase attributed to property reappraisal.
Shreveport voters face crowded local ballot
Shreveport voters also have a lengthy slate of local races to decide.
Seven candidates are running for mayor, including incumbent Mayor Tom Arceneaux. Contested City Council races are also on the ballot, along with Caddo Parish district attorney, several Caddo Parish School Board seats and judicial races.
Caddo Parish Clerk of Court Mike Spence told KSLA that his office expects lines at some precincts because of the size of the ballot.
“We expect lines at the precincts. It’s a very large ballot,” Spence told the station, encouraging voters to know how they plan to vote before entering the voting machine.
In Bossier Parish, Clerk of Court Jill Sessions told KSLA that election commissioners had participated in several training sessions ahead of Election Day, including training on voting machines and procedures for moving voters efficiently through precincts.
Sessions also reminded voters that campaign merchandise should be left at home because state law prohibits electioneering within 600 feet of a polling place.
The Secretary of State’s Office issued a similar reminder Monday, saying voters could encounter longer lines because of the number of races and propositions on the ballot and asking voters to show patience and respect toward election commissioners.
State and federal races top ballot
Caddo and Bossier voters are also participating in federal and statewide contests.
The U.S. Senate race between Republican Julia Letlow and Democrat Jamie Davis tops the statewide ballot.
In Louisiana’s 4th Congressional District, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces challengers Conrad Cable, Matt Gromlich, Gordon Heslop and Mike Nichols.
Voters are also deciding the Public Service Commission District 5 race and 10 proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution.
Election results will begin coming in after polls close at 8 p.m.
For Northwest Louisiana’s business community, two results will bear particularly close watching Tuesday night: the Caddo Parish sports complex bond proposition and the Downtown Development District millage continuation.