CATS Tax – a picture is worth a thousand words

In our previous article, we analyzed how Baton Rouge voters approved a new property tax to fund the bus system. We would like to be even more specific and let graphical data tell the story: below is the side by side comparison between the 2010 CATS vote (which failed, but the voting “universe” was for East Baton Rouge Parish) and the 2012 CATS vote (the “voting universe” was only for the city limits of Baton Rouge, Baker, and Zachary) [...]

Turnout matters – how Baton Rouge voters passed a tax increase

Turnout and intensity matter in elections. That’s the best way to explain how Baton Rouge voters, who both in 2009 and 2010 defeated proposed tax increases, passed a 10 mill property tax increase for the bus system (known locally as CATS) on the second attempt (an attempt to raise taxes to support the bus system narrowly failed in 2010). [...]

Decision 2012 (March 24 Louisiana primary)

Presidential -

(1144 delegates to win) Romney 568 (55%), Santorum 273 (27%), Gingrich 135, Ron Paul 50, Huntsman 2 (Source: WSJ)

Presidential Contest 3/24 (Romney = blue, Santorum = pink, Gingrich = red, upcoming = white)

Louisiana Primary – the Republican contest [...]

Decision 2012 (March 14 “Super Southern Tuesday” edition, Part 2 of 2 – Early voting in Louisiana at mid week)

March 24 is the date of Louisiana’s Presidential primary. While there are some local races on the ballot as well, we are limiting our discussion to the Republican Presidential race, as President Obama has minor opposition in the Democratic primary (three opponents qualified in Louisiana to oppose him). [...]

Decision 2012 (March 14 “Super Southern Tuesday” edition, Part 1 of 2)

Presidential -

(1144 delegates to win) Romney 495 (53%), Santorum 252 (27%), Gingrich 131, Ron Paul 48, Huntsman 2 (Source: WSJ)

President Obama Job Approval 47-49% (14 day rolling average)

Presidential Contest 3/14 (Romney = blue, Santorum = pink, Gingrich = red)

Alabama, Mississippi, and Hawaii [...]

Decision 2012 (First day of early voting in Louisiana)

March 24 is the date of Louisiana’s Presidential primary. While there are some local races on the ballot as well, we are limiting our discussion to the Republican Presidential race, as President Obama has minor opposition in the Democratic primary (three opponents qualified in Louisiana to oppose him). [...]

Louisiana Decides – 2011 Runoff Edition (BESE Board)

Last night’s runoff elections concluded the 2011 election cycle in Louisiana. Who won last night? The answer depends on which elections you’re looking at. In this installment, we will look at the three remaining races on the BESE (Board of Elementary and Secondary Education) board that were decided last night. [...]

The Voice of Louisiana, Part III (BESE races)

In the previous article, we looked at the legislative races. In this final installment, we will look at the BESE (Board of Elementary and Secondary Education) races. [...]

The Voice of Louisiana, Part II (Legislative races)

In the previous installment, we looked at the statewide races. In this installment, we will look at the legislative races. [...]

The Voice of Louisiana, Part I (Statewide races)

Last night, Louisianians chose their statewide officials, legislators, and local elected officials. What was the will of the voter ? We will answer this question by examining the results for the various offices. For each type of office, we will analyze what happened/what the voters said. [...]