Research shows that shows that Louisiana's election system has reduced polarization and improved governance.
Governing Magazine published a piece authored by Democracy Fellow Dr. Richard Barton, detailing the findings of his new report on Lousiana's election system. The report answers on three outcome categories: participation, polarization in state legislatures and Congress, and governance.
As is noted in the piece, Louisiana has one of the most unique electoral systems in the country. The state effectively has no primary elections — allowing all candidates to compete in a general election, open to all voters. Additionally, in contrast to recent alternative reform models passing in cities and states across the U.S., Louisiana's system affords researchers a unique benefit: time.
