A Word on the May 16 Ballot

A pulpit insert from WE the People — Louisiana. Non-partisan. For prayerful consideration.

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, Louisiana voters will be asked five constitutional questions. One of them — Proposed Amendment No. 1 — concerns how our state chooses and protects the people who do the work of government. We offer the following verses for reflection before you vote.

"Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers…" Exodus 18:21
"Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you." Deuteronomy 1:13
"You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor." Leviticus 19:15
"Brothers and sisters, choose seven men from among you who are known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will turn this responsibility over to them." Acts 6:3
"My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality." James 2:1

Scripture is consistent. Those entrusted with the care of a people are to be chosen for wisdom, for truth, and for character. Not for family, not for faction, not for favor.

Amendment 1 would make it easier for the Louisiana Legislature to select and remove state employees on the basis of political connection rather than demonstrated competence. That is the scriptural definition of partiality — showing honor to the mighty while overlooking the qualified.

We do not tell you how to vote. We ask you to vote prayerfully, with the words of Moses and James in mind. And we ask you to consider that the men and women who inspect our hospitals, safeguard our children, test our drinking water, and care for our elders are doing work the Scripture calls us to honor. Protecting them from political retaliation is not a partisan question. It is a moral one.

May 16, 2026 · Saturday · Polls open 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

This insert is published by WE the People — Louisiana under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0. Print, copy, distribute. Adapt freely to the denominational voice of your congregation.

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