Voters approve 4 changes

Voters changed the Louisiana Constitution on Saturday, overwhelmingly approving religious worship protections and three other amendments.

Louisiana's Constitution has now been amended 213 times since it was ratified in 1974.

Following are the amendments passed by voters in Saturday's election:

Amendment No. 1: Prohibiting donations to conduct elections

The amendment to ban the use of financial or other donations from a nongovernmental source or a foreign government to administer elections under most circumstances passed with 73% of the vote.

Supporters believed that allowing non-government sources to help pay for elections would let them have undue influence in the management of election operations and that donations could be skewed to specific parishes based on the partisan leanings of the voting majority who lives there.

Amendment No. 2: Protection for worship in churches

The amendment declares the highest level of constitutional protection for the freedom to worship in a church or another place of worship, requiring courts to apply the strictest level of judicial review to challenges when government bodies restrict access. It passed with 79% of the vote.

Supporters said passage of the amendment removes confusion among various courts and judges about the applicable standard of judicial review and harkens to COVID-19 restrictions. The language doesn't say a government can't take action, but any law or order that would restrict or infringe on such a fundamental right ought to meet the highest standard of

judicial review.

Churches, synagogues and other places of worship could still be closed, and their gatherings could be limited if the government proves a compelling interest, such as the ability to defend against a deadly disease or the loss of human life.

Amendment No. 3: Surplus spending on retirement debt

The amendment requires state lawmakers to use 25% of any state surplus to pay retirement debt for the four state retirement systems. Previously, lawmakers were required to spend 10% of any state surplus to pay retirement debt for two state retirement systems through 2029.

It passed with 56% of the vote. Supporters said passage puts the state on a stronger financial footing and lessens the money the state must pay annually for retirement debt, freeing up money in the budget to spend on other items, such as education and health care.

Amendment No. 4: Property tax exemptions for non-profit organizations

The amendment allows local government officials to remove a property tax exemption from non-profit organizations that lease housing and have repeated public health or safety violations. It passed with 66% of the vote.

Supporters believe nonprofits with repeated problems that risk the health and welfare of residents or their neighbors should not be rewarded with valuable tax breaks and that local government authorities should be able to hold those nonprofits accountable.

The tax break can be restored once the nonprofit makes the housing safe and livable.

Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.