FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: sydney@pelicaninstitute.org
March 3, 2026
BATON ROUGE, LA—As Louisiana lawmakers convene for the 2026 legislative session, the Pelican Institute for Public Policy today released its Q1 2026 Pelican Pulse poll, revealing deep voter concern over rising utility costs, broad support for school choice and government restraint, and clear demand for legal and regulatory reform. The statewide survey, fielded February 20–24, also captures where Louisianans stand heading into a consequential election year—and settles an important cultural debate about King Cake.
“Louisiana voters are sending a clear message to lawmakers as they head into this session: rein in government, cut taxes, fund school choice, and fix the legal environment that’s driving up costs for families,” said Pelican Institute CEO Daniel Erspamer. “With utility bills rising and cost of living squeezing households across the state, the appetite for bold, market-oriented reforms has never been stronger.”
The poll shows cost of living and inflation are overwhelming concerns: 40% of voters named them as the issue most in need of improvement in their community, dwarfing every other option, with the economy (18%) a distant second. The findings carry direct relevance for the legislative session beginning March 9. Key results include:
Rising Costs and Utility Bills Are Hitting Home
Two-thirds of Louisiana voters (66%) report their electric and gas utility bills have increased over the past year, and voters aren’t letting government off the hook. Nearly 8 in 10 (78%) say state government or Public Service Commission policies bear at least some responsibility for higher utility prices, with 32% saying they bear most or all of the blame. Among the causes voters believe are most responsible for rising electricity prices, inflation leads at 23%, followed by corporate greed (21%), government regulations (12%), and AI data centers (10%).
Fiscal Restraint Has Broad Support
Voters are frustrated with the size and cost of state government. About 68% agree that state government collects and spends too much money. Support for a constitutional Government Growth Limit is broad, with roughly 50% supportive and only 27% opposed, suggesting lawmakers have significant political runway to advance long-term spending controls. Meanwhile, 54% support eliminating the state personal income tax entirely, building on last year’s tax reform momentum.
GATOR Scholarship Support Runs Deep
Voters who know about the Louisiana GATOR Scholarship Program like what they see: 61% hold a favorable opinion and 65% agree Governor Landry and lawmakers should fully fund it to ensure every child has access to an educational program that works for them. The opportunity: nearly half of voters (45%) remain unfamiliar with the GATOR program, signaling significant room to build awareness and support as the session progresses.
Lawsuit Reform Finds a Receptive Audience
Louisiana voters understand the real-world costs of litigation. Nearly two-thirds (64%) agree that lawsuit abuse drives up the cost of goods and services for families, and 57% support reforms to limit lawsuits targeting energy producers—a key issue before lawmakers and the courts this session.
Workers Should Be Free to Leave Their Union
Roughly 67% of voters agree that government employees and teachers union members should be allowed to resign their union memberships at any time to prevent being forced to fund political speech they disagree with. The finding reflects broad support for individual liberty in the workplace across party lines.
Parents Lead on Online Safety
When it comes to keeping children safe online, more than half of voters (55%) say parents and families bear the greatest responsibility—far outpacing technology companies (20%), state government (8%), and the federal government (9%).
The American Dream Is About Freedom and Opportunity
Asked to define the American Dream today, voters most frequently chose financial freedom and economic security (18%), owning a home and providing for their family (17%), freedom from government interference (15%), and the ability to succeed through hard work (13%).
Elected Officials Face Skepticism
Governor Jeff Landry’s job approval sits at 43% approve, 36% disapprove. The Louisiana Legislature fares similarly, with 41% approving and 38% disapproving. President Donald Trump registers 49% approval and 47% disapproval among Louisiana voters—a notably competitive split in a historically red state.
2026 Senate Primary Takes Shape
Among voters indicating they will cast a Republican primary ballot, incumbent Senator Bill Cassidy leads with 30%, followed by John Fleming at 17%, Julia Letlow at 15%, and Mark Spencer at 7%, with 24% still undecided—suggesting the field remains fluid heading into a competitive primary.
And Finally: King Cake Is For Everyone
In a nod to Carnival season, the poll asked whether it is socially acceptable to eat King Cake outside the traditional season. A decisive 56% said yes. Figure skating leads as Louisiana’s favorite Winter Olympic sport to watch (28%), followed by hockey (15%) and curling (8%).
“These results are a roadmap for the 2026 session,” said Erspamer. “When voters tell you that 66% have seen their utility bills climb, that 64% think lawsuit abuse is squeezing family budgets, and that nearly 7 in 10 want school choice—that’s not background noise. That’s a mandate.”
View the results presentation here:
Pelican Pulse Poll Report Feb 2026
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Pelican Pulse is a statewide polling initiative from the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, regularly surveying Louisiana voters on key issues to track public sentiment and inform solutions that expand freedom and opportunity for all Louisianans.
