The Pelican Institute recommends a YES vote on Amendment 1.
Representative government demands accountability and transparency. As government grows, accumulates layers, and becomes more centralized, its institutions can become increasingly bureaucratic. Small, targeted reforms to improve efficiency and responsiveness can help course-correct this trend without overhauling entire systems.
This spring, Louisianans have the opportunity to strengthen democratic accountability in the structure of state government by approving Constitutional Amendment 1 in the election scheduled for May 16, 2026. This proposed change would allow the Louisiana Legislature to add or remove positions from unclassified civil service. Currently, the authority rests with the Louisiana State Civil Service Commission.
The Civil Service Commission serves as Louisiana’s central human resources authority. However, the process by which Commission members are selected is incredibly wonky and not responsive to an elected legislature. Under Article X of the Louisiana Constitution, six of its seven commissioners are appointed by the Governor from lists of nominees submitted by the presidents of major private universities, while the seventh is an elected representative of classified state employees.
At the heart of this amendment is a critical but often overlooked distinction in state government, which is the difference between classified and unclassified civil service positions.
Classified employees are hired through a structured system. They must meet standardized qualifications set by State Civil Service, compete through formal processes, and are protected by rules that limit termination without cause. These safeguards are designed to prevent political favoritism and ensure stability in the public workforce.
Unclassified employees, by contrast, operate under a more flexible framework. They are typically at-will employees, meaning they can be hired or removed more easily, and may participate in political activity. These roles often include senior leadership, policy staff, and positions that must be closely aligned with the priorities of elected officials.
This distinction is significant because it determines whether a position is governed primarily by rigid civil service rules or by the needs of elected leadership. Amendment 1 is fundamentally about who gets to make that determination.
Allowing lawmakers to designate positions as unclassified when appropriate is a step toward more accountable and efficient governance. The Legislature is answerable to the people of Louisiana, and giving it greater flexibility over the workforce responsible for implementing policy will drive better outcomes for the state. This amendment deserves support from voters.
Additional voting resources may be found here.
